Big Screen Beyond - First Impressions by VR Flight Sim Guy

[dburne]

Interesting. This may be the sleeper headset of the year for native PC-VR. Gotta love that form factor.

 

 

Edited July 17, 2023 by dburne

[Charlo-VRde]

Intentional typo in the subject line? ?

 

If I wasn't waiting for my Pimax Crystal to arrive within the next few weeks I might be patient and wait for this Big Screen Beyond headset - or should I say goggle set?

 

Cost-wise both the Crystal and Big Screen Beyond would cost me about the same since I don't have Steam Base Stations or controllers (not that I ever use my Reverb G2's controllers). But I am quite used to built-in audio that is off the ear. Also, reviewers like the above all maintain the heaviness of the Crystal is not an issue since it's well-balanced.

 

 

 

[dburne]

1 hour ago, Charlo-VR said:

Intentional typo in the subject line? ?

 

 

 

Lol no that was not intentional. I am getting so old ugh, thanks for the heads up.

Well I sure would not mind checking it out, however I just don't see myself being able to use it enough to make it worth spending 1k on. I already have the Index trackers and controllers. And no way I see this being a competitor to my Aero for flight sims. I look forward to seeing others reports once they get the released version of the device.

Edited July 17, 2023 by dburne

[spreckair]

After doing some research into what a Micro-OLED display is, this has my heart beating a bit faster.  Apparently Micro-OLED displays pack in a magnitude more pixels per inch than other technologies.  I wonder if this will make distant objects much clearer; I hope so.

[chiliwili69]

Thanks. This is an interesting video. I discarded the BigScreen because the FOV but it seems they have improve it.

In the video he said FOV horizontal is about the Pico4, so this is not bad.

 

Here also:

 

https://www.roadtovr.com/bigscreen-beyond-improved-fov-clarity/

they say:

• Improved field of view, up to 102 degrees: FOV has been increased from ~93 degrees to 102 degrees. It’s said to beat the FOV of many headsets on the market today, including Meta Quest 2, HP Reverb G2, and Varjo Aero.
• Improved sweet spot, glare, and optical performance with 32 PPD: Various optical characteristics such as clarity and sweet spot have improved. Lens artifacts such as glare have been reduced as well. Pixels per degree is now officially 32 PPD.
• Increased IPD range, to 55mm to 72mm: Now available in 18 different IPD sizes from 55mm to 72mm. The optical design features a large eye box that allows users to comfortably use the headset even if the headset is not their exact IPD. Bigscreen says Beyond accommodates people with a physical IPD of 53mm to 74mm to comfortably use the headset

[chiliwili69]

 

Another important item is the 75Hz mode. It could be very much needed for those resolutions.

[102nd-YU-cmirko]

I really wonder is that 32ppd resolution rendering res or what user views (so more must be rendered by the game)...

 

 

[chiliwili69]

 

[Picchio]

On 7/18/2023 at 5:16 AM, spreckair said:

After doing some research into what a Micro-OLED display is, this has my heart beating a bit faster.  Apparently Micro-OLED displays pack in a magnitude more pixels per inch than other technologies.  I wonder if this will make distant objects much clearer; I hope so.

 

For me, the big plus would definitely be color reproduction and black levels - I'd finally be able to enjoy night flying in VR. 

Edit: I've just watched Brad's overview, seems like we're not there yet.

Sigh.

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by Picchio

[spreckair]

@Picchio  Very true.  For me, I want to be able to ID aircraft at a distance, as can be done on a display screen. Until this is possible, I will forlornly stick to my Reverb G2.  I posted the question in the comments to Brad's video, but no response.

[FTC_Mephisto]

Any information on OpenXR compatibility? Would it work with OpenXR out of the box given it is based on SteamVR?

[Charlo-VRde]

He’s playing IL-2 in the above, too

Edited August 13, 2023 by Charlo-VR

[chiliwili69]

 

[dburne]

I hope their venture into VR Hardware is very successful for them - we need all the players we can get in PC-VR.

[N0.10_Paladin]

Hey y'all,

I have a BSB on pre-order. My main reason for ordering one is comfort. When I fly it's for 3 to 4 hours. I used to do that in a Vive Pro 2 before it died on me.

 

The small form factor of the BSB, I hope, will negate the really uncomfortable feeling one gets after having a brick on their face for 4 hours. And the low weight should also help with fast head movements when in a WW1 dogfight. Big and bulky headsets take a while to readjust on your head when moving your headset fast. Momentum is b@#$%.

 

Paladin

Edited August 29, 2023 by =IRFC=Paladin

[chiliwili69]

I understand exactly what you mean. I also like less bulky headsets with less momentum. Even VivePro2 is also bulky for my taste.

The future Quest3 has the battery in the front, this is not good. I don´t know why. The Pico4 is better balanced since battery is in the back.

 

My only concesion for bulkier headsets is if they bring larger FOV. But this is not the case of the Crystal for example.

 

If the deckard doesn´t appear in the next 4 moths I might try the DSB and Quest3 as well.

[chiliwili69]

I asked to the BSB guys waht is the resolution with SteamVR at 100% and they told me 3560x3560 for 90Hz, this means that the GPU requirement are not huge despite of their panel resolution is 2560x2560

 

the net requirements to run at 90fps the BSB (2.28 Gpixel/s) are significantly above to run the G2 at 90fps (1.76 Gpixels).

 

So a  3090Ti or 4080 would do the job. Really don´t know.

 

For the 75Hz the requirement is higher interms of GPU. (2.85 Gpixels/s)

 

My only concern is the FOV. I will need to test this device!!

Edited September 8, 2023 by chiliwili69

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

So only 1000 pixel more for each display to archives 1:1 app to display pixel ratio at the center of the display. 

[chiliwili69]

Starting to being shipped in US

https://www.roadtovr.com/thin-light-pc-vr-headset-bigscreen-beyond-now-shipping-us/

Eager to hear how it runs with IL-2

[dburne]

If I were into watching movies in VR I would probably get one of these, for flight sims - naw...

Edited September 8, 2023 by dburne

[kestrel79]

It's exciting to see VR with much smaller, goofy looking setup. I think that's what keeps the average person away, plus no killer must own VR games. Yet. But this is a good sign for the future. 

[chiliwili69]

On 9/6/2023 at 6:42 PM, 1PL-Husar-1Esk said:

So only 1000 pixel more for each display to archives 1:1 app to display pixel ratio at the center of the display. 

I have corrected my previous post. The lower resolution was for the 90Hz mode. I corrected the calculations in the above post.

[Jade_Monkey]

Pre ordered last night. Tired of the big bulky headsets and looking forward to the OLED screen. My Vive Pro 2 is not too comfortable and it has some loose internal part that can sometimes result in the screen going off.

 

They said shipping on Q4, so I'll post back some impressions when it arrives

[Dagwoodyt]

Once past the form factor sales "gimmick" the BSB requires a lot from the buyer just to complete the ordering process. Lack of DFR capability is a "downer". The BSB needs to be available for review by buyers not in the YT-influencer category before we will know if it's worth going thru all the hoops required for purchase.

Edited September 18, 2023 by Dagwoodyt

[dburne]

26 minutes ago, Dagwoodyt said:

Once past the form factor sales "gimmick" the BSB requires a lot from the buyer just to complete the ordering process. Lack of DFR capability is a "downer". The BSB needs to be available for review by buyers not in the YT-influencer category before we will know if it's worth going thru all the hoops required for purchase.

 

I would not buy a headset today that did not have eye tracking to support DFR.

[Jade_Monkey]

Pardon my ignorance but what exactly are you guys using eye tracking for? 

[dburne]

1 hour ago, Jade_Monkey said:

Pardon my ignorance but what exactly are you guys using eye tracking for? 

 

Dynamic Foveated Rendering based on where the eyes are looking. Incredible performance gain (in DCS). I can run DCS mostly all maxed out now with very good performance. Basically the focal point of the eyes are at higher resolution and the periphery area is lower resolution. And I never notice it.

 

I don't think it is working at least properly with IL-2 at this time but @mbucchia would have to be the one to give more information on that as he has been trying to see what he can do I think. I understand he has it working in MSFS 2020 as well but I have not tried it in that sim yet, just not enough time for me right now.

 

More info here:

https://github.com/mbucchia/Varjo-Foveated

https://github.com/mbucchia/Quad-Views-Foveated/wiki#application-compatibility

 

And a vid here showing with the Aero. Currently Aero, Quest Pro, and Pimax Crystal have the eye tracking technology. Great stuff.

 

 

Edited September 18, 2023 by dburne

[Dagwoodyt]

 

[dburne]

4 hours ago, Dagwoodyt said:

 

 

Would have been better if he had actually discussed some stuff there rather than just 5 min of flying around.

Eye tracked DFR gives me better fps in Aero (DCS) than he is getting with Crystal. And I am on highest Varjo base setting and practically all gfx maxeed out.

 

Since this a Big Screen thread anyway figured I could share Aero info also.

Edited September 19, 2023 by dburne

[Dagwoodyt]

Seems some reviewers don't have DFR on their radar so in that context the lack of eyetracking for the BSB is not even factored into their evaluation.

[354thFG_Drewm3i-VR]

I would buy this if it had inside/out tracking. It's almost 2024...what were they thinking? Have a small, streamlined headset that requires $200 x2 wired lighthouses? Why?!?!

[chiliwili69]

9 hours ago, =DW=_drewm3i-VR said:

$200 x2 wired lighthouses?

 

For seated games I have been always using just one basestation with my previous Index (and VivePro, VivePro2, Pimax5K) and I had no problems at all.

 

I think the reason for lighthouses is to reduce to maximum the weight and electronics on the device.

 

 

[[CPT]Nem0]

 

[DD_Arthur]

I haven’t had much interest in VR since I started using MSFS 2020 so I haven’t been keeping up with developments but I have to say BSB looks fantastic.

I’d much rather be Roy Orbison than Jaques Cousteau when using VR.

Since I’m only ever going to use VR for flight or racing (seated) sims, I’m very willing to accept compromises like tethering or light houses if it does away with having to put something monstrous like the Pimax over your head.

[chiliwili69]

They are now shipping to some countries outside US:

 

 

https://store.bigscreenvr.com/blogs/beyond/international-shipping

 

 

[Blitzen]

It says Ships April. Anybody have any further info....? I think I might wait until it hits real world users.$999.00 is quite a chunk of change.

https://store.bigscreenvr.com/products/bigscreen-beyond

 

Does anyone know if there are hand controllers that will work along side this new VR Headset?

Edited March 1, 2024 by Blitzen