4k-8k headset visual differences of the Reverb G2 - and other headsets? /discuss

Sparkstar

I'm no expert or a professional benchmarker so I can't offer any actual facts, screenshots etc for comparisons, other than my own descriptive visual comparison of what I've seen.

I've just been visually comparing the resolution size differences in my G2 VR headset using the SLR app, streaming a 8K (3D) video, using the same video scene while paused - changing the resolution of the video which auto rewinds the scene by 3 seconds so I wait 3 seconds to hit pause again so I can look, then rinse and repeat between resolutions:
1440 to 1920 is noticeable.
1920 to 2160 is slightly noticeable.
2160 to 2500 (I've forgot now which exact size) I'm not sure if I see any difference.
2500/2880 to 3840 definitely no difference whatsoever.

I then had a read of https://www.sexlikereal.com/blog/216-whats-the-best-headset-for-vr-porn
which states these headsets can run at 8K:
Valve Index: 1440 x 1600 or 2880×1600 combined.
G2: 2160 x 2160 or 4320 x 2160 combined.
Cosmos: 1440 x 1700 or 2880 x 1700 combined.
Also not in the list is Vive Pro 2: 2448 x 2448 or 4896 x 2448 combined.

I assume that the in-app video resolution size options are:
1440 = 2.8k
1920 = 4k
2160 = 4.3k
3840 = 8k

So my G2 headset runs really at 4k? arguably 5k? So why is that SLR page stating 8k? as I've explained here that I can't see any improvement beyond 4 or 5k? or am I missing some other factor about all of this?

My setup:
VR headset: HP Reverb G2, all drivers for everything on my entire system are all up to date or optimum (I think), also used some popular guides from Youtube about maximising the G2/WMR performance.
CPU: 16 core Ryzen 5950X
GPU: nvidia ASUS 2080 Ti (from my previous PC)
RAM: 32GB 3800Mhz
M.2 and HDD storage drives
Windows 10 home
500Mb internet
2x monitors: main 3440x1440 100Hz, side 2.5k 60hz.
SteamVR auto runs the SLR app at approx 3.4k x 3.4k 100% resolution.

Additional info: running SLR app while watching a 5-8k VR 3D local video or streaming, my graphics card runs at 40-50 sometimes 60% used (video decoder), 9GB (of 11) VRAM, and the app uses 3GB of system RAM. The app utilises almost no CPU except during the UI navigation of the SLR app particularly when loading a new local folder on my PC full of VR files.

Rakly3

The "k" in VR works way different than a TV or monitor. Based a slew of factors it even differs with the same video file between headsets. To put it simple, in VR the "k" refers to what your device has to be able to decode, not what you visually are looking at. 8k in VR -currently- is more a gimmick than actual quality improvement. If your system/device can handle it, 6k 90fps & 120fps will give you a better experience than 8k60.

I do want to double stress that I'm talking about currently. August 2021. We need VR displays with much higher ppd for it to make 8k worthwhile (imo). The 8k VR videos also are not actually shot at 8k either.

This also only applies to recorded video, For rendered 3D it is more accurate to use the resolution for 1 eye as how mane "k" it is.

Oh and

2160 to 2500 (I've forgot now which exact size) I'm not sure if I see any difference.

I thing you mean 2700p "5k"

Vrsumo2017

Sparkstar 1920 = 4k

Yeah I'm confused on that one, I thought 4k was next up from 1920p. Here I am downloading 4k files cuz I don't have much room on my computer but as I'm going threw the downloads they all say 1920p on them, 🤦‍♂️ ...sup with that? ...im confused 😕

Philip

Generally you are looking at a part of a "view" at a time because your headset field of view is lesser than field of view of a video (180 or 200°) that's one
Two: usually video resolution is typically compressed into "blotches" of pixels, that's why quality might not go up as much, ie it's still a blotch, just a higher resolution one

mebejoe

My HP Reverb G2 is my favorite, and I've had several.

It's on sale for the next two days for only $350

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-reverb-g2-virtual-reality-headset?source=aw&subacctid=318621&subacctname=IGN&adcampaigngroup=91539jumpid=af_gen_nc_ns&utm_medium=af&utm_source=aw&utm_campaign=IGN&campaignID=&awc=7168_1665457535_251a374888fcbf6607e75971ffdef674

justsomedude101

mebejoe That's definitely the cheapest I can recall seeing the G2 by a good margin 👍

spacepirate

justsomedude101 cheap for a reason... its about to be supplanted by a newer version. anyone buying one now will soon be disappointed.

mebejoe

I couldn't find any announcements by HP that it would release another headset soon. I'm always looking for what's next. Do you know if/when something is coming out?

I've head several different Oculus/Meta headsets, a Samsung Odyssey, and the HP Reverb 2. The HP is by far my favorite for watching VR videos.

As far as people being disappointed, I doubt they will be disappointed buying it for less than a Quest 2. Whatever HP releases next is bound to be more than $350.

LordCrash

spacepirate Says who?

someoneX

Vrsumo2017 VR video files don't use aspect ratios common in the movie world. There is no 16:9 in VR. So things like 4K or 8K don't have the same meaning as for 2D videos.

A 4K VR video consists of two videos (one for each eye) in a single file. So 3840x1920 actually is 2 x 1920x1920. At least the vertical axis is close to 2160, which is known as 4K in the movie world. The horizontal axis obviously isn't and needs to be stretched.

So companies just take the largest number (3840 in that case) and use that to define the resolution of VR porn.

The next step (5K) is the most meaningful one for improvement of the image quality, because 5K usually means 5400x2700 - almost twice as much pixels. Everything below 5K looks bad on Quest 2 IMO, but I haven't checked 4K files from current cameras - maybe they are slightly better.

spacepirate

LordCrash educated guess. there was about 18 months between the original reverb release and g2 release and it has now been 2 years since the g2 was released. hardware companies usually dont wait much longer than that between product releases. its likely that they have reduced the price to clear old stock ahead of their next release.

justsomedude101

spacepirate But for $350 and the fact that it will still be useable for years to come...I'd say it's still a hell of a deal. Whether a new device is scheduled to roll out or not.

spacepirate

justsomedude101 i suppose that depends on how much someone values saving a few dollars vs having a headset that isnt obsolete (or 2 years closer to being obsolete)