Panasonic's new VR headset is a good idea, but there's a big problem with weight

Panasonic's new VR headset is a good idea, but there's a big problem with weight
In an electronics industry now filled with VR headsets and AR smart glasses, we're not surprised by a new entry into the fray, but Panasonic's new vision in a VR headset certainly caught our eye and we managed to get a temporary demo of the prototype at the CES expo. 2020 during his first presentation. What's so exciting about another virtual reality headset? Panasonic's untitled prototype takes the VR headset display found in the Oculus Go or HTC Vive, and melds it with a relatively small glasses design. Joseph E Cates, group leader at Panasonic's Hollywood Lab, notes that VR headsets are "always a prototype, although obviously we want to get it into advertising. This may be roughly the design that hits the market, or maybe similar to the final form, but we can't be sure." He adds: "We wanted to show that it's possible to create a sleek, lightweight headset with very high-quality video."

Big ideas, little equipment

(Image credit: TechRadar) It's unclear what the end result might look like, but we're sure Panasonic is pushing it for a possible release, and if it manages to get such a small piece of hardware running VR competently, with a compact one-inch OLED screen for each eye: it just might win you a devoted following. Smart glasses are a pretty tough market to break into, which, coupled with the geeky design of the forerunner Google Glass, has given the technology a bad rap, while newer, more aesthetically pleasing models like the Snapchat Snapchat or Magic Leap One aren't. & I haven't really cashed in with consumers yet (although the expected Apple AR glasses might change that). The VR angle is interesting though, and we're told Panasonic is considering a range of options when it comes to front-facing cameras to also incorporate AR support or 5G connectivity – hinting at a flexible and versatile device, it doesn't require closing off large sections of its face and head of the outside world. Audio brand Technics, owned by Panasonic, also provides sound: we tested a model with wired in-ear headphones for more private use, and a model with clip-on speakers more suitable for public/d'use. company.

So what is the problem?

(Image credit: TechRadar) It's a prototype model, so all the current issues will likely be resolved when it hits the market, not that we know when. Panasonic was reluctant to give a rough release window, and we feel this isn't a product that was rushed into production too quickly for proper quality control. The main problem at the moment is weight distribution. This is why VR headsets are, you know, headsets: VR screens tend to weigh down on the front of your head, and you need something to counteract it to keep it from falling off your face, which is exactly what happened. here. They continued to move away from our eyes, which meant the images were blurry, making it difficult to dive. The problem didn't seem insurmountable, but there's a clear weight issue if you have to constantly press the VR headset to your nose, and expensive gear likely to hit the ground doesn't bode well either.

(Image credit: TechRadar) However, we're told that the glasses should probably be connected to a processor or battery pack we have, similar to the Magic Leap AR headset, which requires you to connect a small wired device to the outside of your pocket during use We don't expect the Panasonic to be extremely powerful, despite the 4K resolution, only given the space constraints, so it probably won't be much for VR gaming. The model we tested was mounted on a computer with very conspicuous cables, and even then, the 360-degree videos we saw suffered from a lot of tape over large sections of the sky, as they struggled to improve. displayed with heat reflections without distorting objects and buildings in the distance. (If we were to also connect the glasses to a high-quality PC at home, that would be contrary to the interest of such a portable form factor.)

(Image credit: TechRadar) It was nothing like the capabilities of VR headsets like HP's Net Reverb, though it's obviously work-in-progress hardware. Panasonic is introducing these VR headsets to a "pyramid of consumer applications (and) of professional and training applications," with the hope that they will be offered in the high-end consumer market. which means they won't be cheap. Appliances ready for use. But it could still counterbalance the premium Magic Leap AR helmet, which costs $2,295 (about $1,731 or AU$3,073). We were certainly intrigued by what Panasonic was going for, though the success (or lack thereof) of VR headsets may be due to the way it can encompass all of these worlds, and compete with other well-funded players in the VR/AR market. .

You might also be interested ...