Overview Pimax 4K - budget VR-headset with 4K resolution

Most companies are focused on the VR-helmets that use Android as the operating system. In most cases, the central component of such headsets - smartphone. Occasionally there are devices with its own screen and built-in ARM-coprocessor.

Full virtual reality can be tested using the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive or Sony PlayStation VR. Now this list was Pimax 4K, received the award "Best VR» Asia at CES 2016.

As Pimax was in the top echelon

Budget (twice as cheap analogues) Pimax 4K consists of active glasses virtual reality and audio system with the effect of 3D-sound.

Pimax resolution twice higher than the competition, used to work with a PC. Two screens with a resolution of 1920 × 2160 resolution creating stereoscopic 4K format, updated 60 times per second.

So to solve the basic problems of this kind of devices:

• Improving the image quality (noticeable pixel grid).
• Reduces the negative effects associated with the video viewing at close range.
• Perhaps playing modern games at the highest resolution possible with the support of high-quality textures.

For positioning in the virtual space in the device has all the necessary internal sensors: double gyroscope, magnetometer, acceleration sensors, distance, light.

What is missing is an external tracking system to track the movements of the whole body. Pimax involves working at a desk in a static position.

Pimax 4K in the work: how and with what?

It is very difficult to objectively assess the immersion in virtual reality device. Even the most advanced of them - is still an experiment. Perception depends on your own physical condition.

Since the test used is not compatible manipulators and mouse with a keyboard in real space movement was limited.

Despite the dark picture more than the Oculus Rift, the image quality Pimax strikes. Competitors noticeable pixel grid, low resolution underlines the shortcomings of textures and patterns. China's development offers a smooth, seamless image with excellent brightness and contrast.

Unfortunately, when turning the head (moving sight in the game) affects inadequate refresh rate: Objects reserve noticeable "loops."

There are many VR-applications designed for static position of the body, such as War Thunder. The game does not need special manipulators, Pimax without them creates a sense of presence in the pilot's seat.

In addition, War Thunder does not require the player to lean forward or backward. This Pimax without additional controllers can not.

Complete audio system sits perfectly on the head and perfectly conveys the sound trend in the gaming environment. No worse than in the multi-channel gaming headphones.

Furthermore War Thunder, participated in the testing:

1. Half-Life 2: Update (improved textures and effects).
2. Elite Dangerous (the best space simulator with support VR).
3. Resident Evil 7.

Any negative effects when using Pimax have been reported: no dizziness, no nausea. Play for hours is quite difficult because of the weight of the device. But, having got used can disappear for a few hours.

Ease of construction - at the level of major competitors. Pimax 4K perfectly fits to the head and does not cause discomfort. Roughly the same sitting Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

The design and hardware features

Pimax 4K design is similar to peers. For each eye - a separate screen with a 42-millimeter aspherical lenses. Vision image transforms into a single wide angle (110 degrees) at a density of stereo 806 PPI. This is almost two times more than the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, which offer a total resolution of 2160 × 1200.

Pimax allows to adjust interpupillary (center to center) spacing in the range of 58 to 71 mm (suitable range). Without setting a long time to use any headset will not work. Within 5-15 minutes it begins to feel dizzy.

Housing is so voluminous that it would be easy to use even for those who wear glasses. Fit and insulation provided by soft foam padding and ventilation - extra plastic insert between the gasket and the housing.

Outside, there are three mechanical hardware buttons. One includes the device, the other two are used to change the volume in the packaged headphones.

To pair the headset is attached overhead headphones with separate connection. For maximum user convenience, the developers abandoned the whole headband. Instead, it uses a system of soft strap with Velcro and pads on the back of the head.

According to the developers, headphones Pimax 4K output 5.1-channel audio. Of course, to a greater extent this is achieved by software emulation, but the 3D-sound is still there.

System Requirements and Hardware Compatibility

Pimax 4K is connected to a cord, which at the end of the forks on the USB-connector and the HDMI standard 1.4b.

The headset can work only with a computer running 64-bit Windows. For other operating systems, application-partner is no longer present.

The general system requirements for VR

4K video output, so even with treatment for stereoscreen - time consuming task. An integrated card can only be used when playing a 360-degree photographic and videopanoram.

To work correctly, the native resolution is required:

• Processor Intel Core i5 and above.
• RAM of 8 GB.
• NVIDIA graphics card GTX960 / AMD R9 290 and higher capacity memory 4-6 GB.

We used i5-3570K processor, 8GB DDR3 memory (10,600 Hz), and video card MAXSUN GTX 1060 (3 GB DDR5)Which can be replaced by a variant with 6 GB of RAM.

Most bargain on a parity "price - performance" - a series of video cards NVIDIA 10xx (AMD Radeon graphics cards do not always work correctly in these applications). As the processor is worth paying attention to the Intel Pentium 37xx and Intel Core i5 / i7 6xxx, as well as new processors AMD Rizen.

To determine whether the existing system can be used for the VR, you can use the test of Steam. With the reservation - it does not test Pimax resolution, so that the supply of power is useful.

manipulators

Own manipulators have Pimax 4K there. Using Steam, you can work with the following input devices:

1. Mouse and keyboard.
2. Standard gamepads, joysticks, steering wheels, steering wheels.
3. Xbox One gamepad with HTC Vive emulation controller.
4. sensors Leap Motion.
5. system management razer Hydra.
6. system management NOLO.

Traditional controllers and gamepads Xbox does not require Steam. Others use it and the corresponding driver.

Software

To connect Pimax need PiPlay utility - store applications with built-in drivers and cinema. Unfortunately, its content leaves much to be desired.

Therefore, to work with a headset will need to install the following software:

1. Steam (Only applications for HTC Vive).
2. SteamVR.
3. java x64.
4. PiPlay.
5. Revive.
6. LibOVRWrapper.
7. OculusHome (Required for Oculus Rift applications).

When connecting Pimax 4K see him Steam, and will PiPlay content for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive: popular games, panorama, video.

With this program, Virtual Desktop on Pimax you can run any application in 3D, even the Windows desktop with AutoCAD table. Where functional than the phone in a special headset.

results

Virtual reality headsets, unlike smartphones, headsets and other gadgets, have not yet entered into our life. They are difficult to evaluate and recommend. Any one of them - the opportunity to try a new experience. No one gives a guarantee that they will like.

But if you think, 300 dollars (Namely, so today is Pimax 4K from an authorized dealer with a coupon LHPIMAX) For a new experience - it's not so much.

Developers Pimax 4K went his own way and created an excellent device. image quality, the ability to use any of manipulators, compatibility with Steam did Pimax 4K bargain for immersion in virtual reality.