The InfinitEye: A head mounted display (HMD) that has a massive 210 degree viewing angle.

[Vitalius]

Post at /.
 

First time accepted submitter muterobert writes:
"InfinitEye is a prototype head mounted display that uses dual 1280×800 displays to create a massive 210 degree field of view. I traveled to Toulouse, France to be the first journalist in the world to go hands-on with the unit. These are my thoughts on the trip, the team, and the HMD itself. 'Natural and Panoramic Virtual Reality' is the best phrase I can come up with that summarises the InfinitEye's capabilities. If using the Oculus Rift is like opening the sunroof on a virtual world, the InfinitEye takes the roof clean off — at least if you base your opinion solely on horizontal FOV. But the new HMD also offers 1280×800 per eye in comparison the current Oculus Rift Dev Kit's 640×800 (and only slightly fewer pixels per eye than the Oculus Rift HD prototype).

It's a prototype obviously.

From the original article that the post at /. links:
 

“Natural and Panoramic Virtual Reality…”

…is the best phrase I can come up with that summarises the InfinitEye’s capabilities. If using the Oculus Rift is like opening the sunroof on a virtual world, the InfinitEye takes the roof clean off—at least if you base your opinion solely on horizontal FOV.

This sounds interesting. I wouldn't have much input regarding it until I've tried at least one HMD (like the Rift), but I haven't.

For those who have used the Rift, what do you think having 210 degrees of view means for an HMD? @LinusTech @Slick You guys have tried it. 

I'm just not sure what to make of this. Does the Oculus Rift make use of your peripheral vision? If not, and there are just black spaces there, then I can see how this would make a noticeable difference. To where you literally don't feel like you are wearing an HMD (aside from weight and such, but specifically regarding the view you have).

That could be cool.

[Matsy]

How are you supposed to hold your head up?

Surely that is much heavier than the rift.

[viliuks]

No, just no. Better off with the oculus rift

[Vitalius]

How are you supposed to hold your head up?

Surely that is much heavier than the rift.

 

Eh, not really. According to the article reviewing it, they never mentioned the weight. And he was standing while wearing it, implying it would be noticeable if it was. So apparently it isn't heavy enough to warrant a mention. Plus, it's a prototype.

No, just no. Better off with the oculus rift

I disagree.

The number 1 thing I hate about video games is a lack of peripheral vision use. That's just because Eyefinity and things like it are expensive. According to the reviewer, “There’s no doubting the immediate effect of those 210 degrees, your mind more readily accepts the scene as presented.”

Which implies to me that it matters enough to be important. This could be the thing I actually want. I would buy this over an Oculus if it were polished more (not a prototype). Simply because it solves the most noticeable problems I have with video games. A lack of peripheral vision use. 

It's all about immersion. These HMD's are better for it than a Rift.

[lachyman]

I will probably stick to normal monitors, much more comfortable.

[viliuks]

Eh, not really. According to the article reviewing it, they never mentioned the weight. And he was standing while wearing it, implying it would be noticeable if it was. So apparently it isn't heavy enough to warrant a mention. Plus, it's a prototype.

I disagree.

The number 1 thing I hate about video games is a lack of peripheral vision use. That's just because Eyefinity and things like it are expensive. According to the reviewer, “There’s no doubting the immediate effect of those 210 degrees, your mind more readily accepts the scene as presented.”

Which implies to me that it matters enough to be important. This could be the thing I actually want. I would buy this over an Oculus if it were polished more (not a prototype). Simply because it solves the most noticeable problems I have with video games. A lack of peripheral vision use. 

It's all about immersion. These HMD's are better for it than a Rift.

Well, I think oculus rift and InfinitEye are just up their time. They need to make it more affordable, more cofortable. But for now they are ahead of time. Im going to use normal monitors.

[WiiManic]

Competition is a good thing. Rift will most likely hit the market before any other HMD, barring someone like Sony appearing with one, but having other products forcing each other to make your one better is always good

 

Going to be interesting...

[Vitalius]

Competition is a good thing. Rift will most likely hit the market before any other HMD, barring someone like Sony appearing with one, but having other products forcing each other to make your one better is always good 

They already have had one for a while..

[WiiManic]

They already have had one for a while..

That's different though. Rift puts you into the game, all that does is "simulate sitting 65 feet away from an enormous 750-inch screen.". Its a different sort of immersion, never mind its 3x the current Rift price.

[Vitalius]

That's different though. Rift puts you into the game, all that does is "simulate sitting 65 feet away from an enormous 750-inch screen.". Its a different sort of immersion, never mind its 3x the current Rift price.

Not true.

They are effectively the same thing.

 

comes with dual OLED monitors that simulate sitting 65 feet away from an enormous 750-inch screen.

 

It isn't 1 solid screen, it is two screens, one in front of each eye. That is the requirement for "putting you into the game".