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Virtual reality 101: a beginner’s guide to getting into VR games, movies and apps

(Image credit: Future)

It can be difficult to catch up with a technology once it has gained momentum. It seems like everyone knows the nitty-gritty of it, and if you can't find a welcoming community, it can be nearly impossible to learn the ropes.

For some people, that's what happened with virtual reality. Technology that went from silly retro tech in a development kit to a full-fledged cultural phenomenon overnight.

If you missed the first four years of the rise of virtual reality, don't worry. The technology is less complicated than you might think and is super easy to understand. There are affordable ways to try it before you buy, and plenty of ways to find new content if you've already purchased a headset.

You do not know where to start in this wonderful world at the limit of digital and physical spaces? Let us be your virtual tour guides as we walk you through the technology step by step.

What is Virtual Reality? How is it different from a computer or a TV?

When we talk about virtual reality, we are talking about images, videos, games or software that offer a 180-degree or 360-degree field of vision. It's content you can explore or experience first-hand, getting closer than ever.

When most people think of virtual reality, their first thoughts are for 3D - display technology that uses stereoscopy to give the illusion of images popping out of the screen. Virtual reality is similar in that it sometimes uses gimmicks to add realism to content, but it doesn't stop where the screen stops: it fills your entire field of vision with an image or environment.

Why people love it so much is because the content feels more immersive. Instead of watching a shark on the Discovery Channel, there are apps that put you in a shark cage and let you experience what it would be like to see the animals swimming around you. It's the first step toward the holodeck you saw on Star Trek 40 years ago.

Now obviously not every video or video game ever made is available in VR – at least not natively. VR works best when content is produced for VR and viewed on a VR headset...even an inexpensive headset like the GoogleCardboard.

The quality of this content varies wildly, as with all YouTube The video isn't an Oscar-winning production, but the central idea behind it all is that it's more immersive than 2D.

(Image credit: oculus)

Is virtual reality healthy? Can you hurt yourself using it?

The general consensus is that yes, it is completely safe to use, especially for adults whose eyes have already stopped developing and who don't really experience motion sickness. Whether it's safe for children 13 and under is still a matter of debate, but most companies recommend limited use for the age group with plenty of breaks. recommend acclimatizing slowly. Put the headphones on for a few minutes at a time and then take them off, just to get your eyes used to having such a closed screen.

That said, eye strain is probably the most “dangerous” part of VR. Wearing a headset for an hour or more strains your eyes and can cause headaches if you're not properly hydrated or motion sickness if the content you're watching moves in a way that doesn't. feels unnatural for your body. Neither is permanent, however, and both should wear off fairly quickly once you remove the helmet.

Just as important as taking breaks is clearing the space around you when using a VR headset - unless you're using the passthrough cameras on the headset there's no way to see what's going on. happening around you, so it's incredibly easy to trip and fall if you're playing in a furnished room. Most PC headsets will ask you to set boundaries before you start playing, which will prevent you from stepping into anything, but generally the more empty the playing space, the safer it will be for you.

(Image credit: Future)

What is the difference between helmets? Do you need it?

When we talk about helmets, they generally fall into three categories:

Headsets connected to the PC

as the

< p>Oculus Rift

and

Valve Index

,

mobile headsets

like the< /p>

Samsung Gear VR

and

autonomous helmets

as'

OculusQuest

. There is also a

VR headset on console

called

Playstation-VR

which plugs directly into your PS4.

PC-connected headsets are generally the best looking, most immersive, and offer the greatest variety of experiences. They are also generally the most expensive. They work by plugging the headset into your computer's USB and DisplayPort/HDMI ports and installing specific software like SteamVR or the Oculus app. Most often they come with specific controllers and tracking stations, but that's not always the case and every headset is different.

Mobile headsets were first on the market and gained popularity when Samsung offered them as part of the purchase. of a new phone in 2017. They work, as you'd expect, by inserting your phone into the headset and strapping it to your face. Experiences on this platform aren't quite as immersive or beautiful as those you'll find on PC-connected headsets, but they're a good place to start if you're unsure of VR.

Last but not least, there are standalone headsets that fit everything you need into the headset itself so you can unbox it and be ready to play in minutes. We like them because they strike the right balance between price and performance, and deliver nearly all of the same experiences you'll find on PC-connected headsets. Hell, Oculus even gives you the option of plugging the Quest into your PC via the Oculus Connect cable - so that's also the more flexible option.

Once you've decided on the type of helmet you want, it's worth looking at each helmet's specific specs. You need to compare resolutions (how many pixels are on screen), field of view (how much you can see at once), frame rates (how smooth the content is) and how the headset is tracking, either with discrete base stations or via -in cameras.

So do you need a helmet? Well, if you want the full experience, yes. But if you just want to watch VR videos to see what you're missing, YouTube, Facebook, and many other sites have the ability to view 360 degree videos on your mobile phone and PC. It can be a good first step into the world of VR without spending any money.

Beat Saber is one of the most popular games in VR right now.

(Image credit: Beat Games)

What type of content is there?

Additional Resources

You do not know where to start? Consult our lists of

best VR games

,

best PSVR games

and

best VR headsets

.

This question is a bit like asking “what kind of content is there on the internet?” The answer is, well, a lot of things! The vast majority of the time, however, you'll use a VR headset for watching VR video like 360-degree concerts or art installations or roller coasters, as well as playing VR games from Oculus and Steam.

If you are a corporate user or need a VR headset for work, you can use it to hold virtual meetings where you bring 3D assets for everyone to watch or use the headset for specific training simulations. Educators can use it to bring their lessons to life for their students through interactive experiences, and you can even try headphones inside amusement parks as more and more of them start to embrace the virtual reality as a new form of entertainment.

The content pool is as wide and deep as you would expect it to be. There are a lot of them, and there's no way to see them all in one day.

So how much does this content cost? Well, it varies. Many of these YouTube and Facebook videos are free, as are the apps like Gizmo and Oculus Video that you use to watch them. There are also a number of free VR game demos available to try, as well as a number of free educational VR apps. You can go far enough without spending a penny.

That said, premium content like AAA games or longer VR experiences cost money, from $10/£10 all the way up to $60/£60.< /p>

The good news is that there are a number of subscription services like Viveport Infinity that let you download a number of these games for a monthly subscription and plenty of online stores where you often buy games and experiences. host sales with massive discounts on the most popular content.

Should you buy a VR headset?

I hope you can now answer this question yourself. If you're the type of person who likes to be on the cutting edge of technology and has the time to dabble in new experiences, then yes, it's definitely worth diving into VR. But if you're short on time and money and aren't sure if VR is right for you, watch some VR videos on your phone to get a taste of the experience, or buy a good VR headset. market that you will not feel. bad if it's on the shelf.

Personally, we use our VR headsets once a week - usually to try out the latest branded game available in VR or to watch cool new videos. Some people use it every day as their primary means of playing games, while others may use it much less. It all depends on you, your schedule, and your interest in the platform.

But hopefully now you have a better idea of ​​what to expect from VR and how it's different.

Nick Pino

Nick Pino is the senior home entertainment editor at TechRadar and covers TVs, headphones, speakers, video games, virtual reality and streaming devices. He also has a degree in computer science which he does not use if anyone wants it.

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