Brace yourselves: Panasonic's VR Glasses are coming

Zenbane

• Panasonic Reveals Improved Specs for Its Impressively Compact VR Glasses

• 6DOF room-scale tracking included

• At this year’s all-digital CES 2021, Panasonic showed off a new and improved version of the device, which packs in some pretty intriguing specs alongside the new addition of optical 6DOF tracking.

• this year’s model features dual 2,560 × 2,560 micro OLEDs with a pixel density 2,245ppi.

• The micro OLED panels, which were developed in collaboration with Panasonic and Kopin, are said to support 120Hz as well as HDR. Much like Pico’s G3 prototype, which hasn’t been released yet, Panasonic’s aptly names ‘VR Glasses’ also feature pancake optics, which reduce the overall bulk and weight of the device.

• this year’s model has better weight distribution by both strengthening the device’s arms and improving the shape of the fins to better grip to the user’s head.

• Audio is another area of improvement for the prototype, which now features integrated audio built by Panasonics’ subsidiary Technics instead of the previous design’s dangling earbuds. Panasonic didn’t comment on the exact implementation, however it sounds very similar to the way Oculus provides onboard audio in Oculus Quest and Oculus Go

• The VR glasses also include both IPD (interpupilary distance) adjustment and a diopter adjustment mechanism to accommodate near-sighted users—important features to have for such a close-fitting VR headset.

• Microdisplays and pancake optics tend to provide lower field of view (FOV) than dedicated PC VR headsets or standalone devices like Oculus Quest 2, which typically range at or above 100 degrees. This year’s model still doesn’t have a verified FOV spec, but if it’s anything like last year’s it will likely be somewhere around the estimated 70 degrees.

Full article: https://www.roadtovr.com/panasonic-vr-glasses-specs-ces-2021/





I have to admit, Quest 2 has me spoiled with mobile compact VR. I'm very intrigued by some VR Glasses done right.

RuneSR2

Looks nice, but I need to wear my glasses inside the VR glasses - not sure that's possible. I'm not fond of inserts. 

How about controllers? Do Knuckles need to worry? (Admitted, I did not take the time to read the article)

Sound like Quest is not exactly a great solution in my book, lol. In fact, could be a red flag. 

Another most important question - do these VR glasses work with Revive? Is the high-res oled door to Asgard finally open?   

kojack

• At this year’s all-digital CES 2021

Wait, there's been a CES2021 already? *Checks google*

Hmm, guess my tech news sources have been a bit distracted lately.

Shadowmask72

Hmm low fov means no thanks. Good to see this making some headway, hopefully once the teething issues are ironed out then they can make something better than current VR headsets especially with 120hz HDR high quality screens being used. I wonder though will Panasonic allow other developers to use these displays (or versions of them) in their traditional VR headsets?

OmegaM4N

RuneSR2 said:

Looks nice, but I need to wear my glasses inside the VR glasses - not sure that's possible. I'm not fond of inserts. 

How about controllers? Do Knuckles need to worry? (Admitted, I did not take the time to read the article)

Sound like Quest is not exactly a great solution in my book, lol. In fact, could be a red flag. 

Another most important question - do these VR glasses work with Revive? Is the high-res oled door to Asgard finally open?   

The VR glasses also include both IPD (interpupilary distance) adjustment and a diopter adjustment mechanism to accommodate near-sighted users—important features to have for such a close-fitting VR headset.

This could be a game changer for glasses wearers for VR.

RuneSR2

OmegaM4N said:

RuneSR2 said:

Looks nice, but I need to wear my glasses inside the VR glasses - not sure that's possible. I'm not fond of inserts. 

How about controllers? Do Knuckles need to worry? (Admitted, I did not take the time to read the article)

Sound like Quest is not exactly a great solution in my book, lol. In fact, could be a red flag. 

Another most important question - do these VR glasses work with Revive? Is the high-res oled door to Asgard finally open?   

The VR glasses also include both IPD (interpupilary distance) adjustment and a diopter adjustment mechanism to accommodate near-sighted users—important features to have for such a close-fitting VR headset.

This could be a game changer for glasses wearers for VR.

I'm far-sighted     

DaftnDirect

I would have thought they'd have a -/+ diopter adjustment to accommodate both near and far sighted within limits.

70 deg FOV for goggles this size is pretty impressive and with those high res screens would give great clarity, so maybe aimed more at movie viewing. There doesn't seem to be any facility for controller tracking.... maybe hand tracking?

OmegaM4N

^^This should still work for both near and far sighted users, similar to how binoculars work for each eye.

Zenbane

They also boast of having no screen door effect.

https://www.provideocoalition.com/panasonic-at-ces-2020-the-worlds-first-hdr-capable-uhd-vr-eyeglasses/

I remember these being discussed last year. The price is probably going to be very high, since they don't seem to be targeting consumers. It wouldn't surprise me if these fall in the $6,000-10,000 price range.

DaftnDirect

OK... I'm willing to bet on high-end media viewers at around the £300  £500  mark. 

Zenbane

I'm having trouble finding solid detailed info on their tracking system and capabilities.

When I look on reddit and read last years discussions around the first iteration of these glasses, I see a lot of talk about "no positional tracking."

Yet this year they boast of "room-scale tracking." While all the hands-on reviews have zero mention of the tracking system.

I haven't check YouTube yet though.