Benefits of VR
VR can be a powerful tool for many reasons. It has the power to transport you to new places, introduce you to new people, and even help improve your health. For people who don’t have the chance to travel, it can be a way of experiencing new cultures from the comfort of your own home. You can step into a new mindset by trying on a new identity, too. You can meet people from all walks of life, from astronauts to Olympians, or even characters from your favorite books or games. You can also use VR to improve your health. It’s an effective way to treat a range of conditions. It’s been used to help relieve pain and anxiety, reduce depression, and even improve motor skills in patients with neurological disorders.
Overview of Oculus Rift S
The Oculus Rift S is the latest evolution of the original Rift headset, with a host of new features to bring it up to speed with its nearest rival, the HTC Vive. The Rift S keeps the core strengths of the original, including excellent visuals and wide compatibility with PC systems, while upgrading the visuals to the new standard created by the higher-end Vive. The Rift S has one of the best visual experiences in VR, and the new hand controllers are a substantial improvement over its predecessors. You’ll also find it far simpler to set up than the original Rift, with a streamlined system that allows you to get started with minimal hassle. The Rift S is also significantly cheaper than the Vive, making it the better choice for most people. The only real downside is that it doesn’t have the same level of room-scale tracking as the Vive, which means it’s no good for expansive VR experiences.
Features of Oculus Rift S
- Crisp, Clear 2K Retinal Display - The Oculus Rift S has a crisp and clear Retinal Display with a 2K resolution that makes it easier to lose yourself in a virtual world. The display is wide, with a field of vision (FOV) of around 110 degrees that allows you to see more when you’re immersed.
- Improved Ergonomics - The ergonomics of the controller and headset have been streamlined, making it easy to use and comfortable to wear. The headset has been redesigned to be lighter, while the controllers are now lighter, too.
- Intuitive Controls - The Oculus Touch controllers have been redesigned to be more intuitive. There’s now a trigger button on each controller, along with a thumb trackpad, and a grip button. This can be used to pick up and place objects in the virtual world.
- Wider Compatibility - The Oculus Rift S is compatible with more devices, including Mac devices and some laptops with integrated graphics. It’s also been optimised to work with the upcoming Oculus Rift S Shared Controller system, which allows you to use the same controller across multiple headsets.
Advantages of Oculus Rift S
- Fantastic Visual Experience - The Rift S offers an incredibly sharp visual experience, with a wide field of vision and vibrant colors. The display offers high contrast and low glare, making it easy to lose yourself in your virtual adventures.
- Best Audio in VR - The Rift S has superior audio, with built-in audio headphones that are top-notch. They offer excellent sound quality and a deep bass, which really adds to the immersion when you’re exploring a virtual world.
- Simple to Set Up - Compared to the original Rift, setting up the Rift S is a breeze. There are fewer wires to connect, and everything is streamlined, meaning the process is less of a hassle.
- Robust Software Library - The Rift S has been designed to work with a wide range of game types, including adventure games, first-person shooters, and puzzle games. You can also use it with a variety of apps, like virtual reality video experiences and virtual reality apps like Netflix.
Disadvantages of Oculus Rift S
- Can’t Explore Large Areas - The Rift S has limited room-scale tracking, which means it’s not the best option for expansive VR experiences. This means it’s not suitable for the sort of room-scale VR that’s offered by the Vive.
- No Touch Controllers - This can be a real disadvantage if you’re looking to play a specific game. If you try to use the Rift S with a game that requires the use of the Touch controllers, you’ll find it difficult.
- Can’t Use Room-scale Tracking - You can’t use any room-scale tracking, which means you’re limited to a smaller area than the Vive. This can be a problem if you’re looking to play a game that requires room-scale VR.
Tips for Setting Up Oculus Rift S
- Determine Where You Want to Place the Sensors - Place the sensors in a safe and stable place where they’re not likely to get knocked over. The Rift S’s tracking requires that you place the sensors in certain places, like the high corners of a room, to get the best results.
- Use the Oculus Rift S Check Utility to Check Your System Specs - The Oculus Rift S Check utility will let you know if your system is ready to run Rift S. You can use this to see if your system is compatible with the Rift S, and see what you need to do to improve it.
- Connect Your Rift S to an Existing PC - If you’re using a new PC to run the Rift S, you’ll need to install the Oculus Rift software first. Once you’ve installed the software, connect your Rift S to your PC.
How to Get the Most Out of Oculus Rift S
- Choose the Right Room-scale Spot - Before you start setting up the Rift S, you’ll need to choose the right place to place the sensors. The sensors need to be placed high up on the walls, so they have a clear view of the room.
- Download Some Great Games - There are lots of great games available for the Rift S, including Dead and Buried, Robo Recall, and Arizona Sunshine. You can find out about upcoming games and new releases on the Oculus store.
- Download Some VR Apps - You can use the Rift S for more than just gaming. You can use apps like Netflix, Youtube, or a sports app to watch TV in a virtual space. - Get a Proper PC - If you want to get the best out of the Rift S, you’ll need a proper PC to run it. Oculus offers a free compatibility checker that will help you find out what sort of hardware you need to run the Rift S.
