OSVR Ecosystem Strengthened With Updated Hardware and Fresh Line up of Content

/EINPresswire.com/ -- LOS ANGELES, CA --(Marketwired - June 13, 2016) - Razer and Sensics, co-founders and organizers of Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR), the largest open source virtual reality consortium in the world, today unveiled the latest Hacker Development Kit, the HDK 2. The HDK 2 features an upgraded display for a visual experience on par with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

The HDK 2 is equipped with custom designed lenses for clearer more vibrant images and a 90hz low-persistence OLED dual-display with a total resolution of 2160x1200. It also includes unique IQE (Image Quality Enhancer) technology for a reduced screen door effect. Capable of displaying VR experiences at 90 frames-per-second, the HDK 2 hardware specifications are comparable to the best virtual reality headsets available now.

Unlike other current generation HMDs, the HDK 2 will be available at $399 and will ship in July. The HDK 1.4 will continue to be available at $299.

"The HDK 2 allows us to meet the needs of VR fans and gamers and provide developers with affordable open-source hardware to innovate with," says Christopher Mitchel, OSVR Lead, Razer. "With the HDK 2 being able to deliver a visual experience on par with industry leaders, we will now be able to represent hardware agnostic VR media and games in all their glory for future headsets to adopt through the open source ecosystem."

"We are on a mission to democratize VR by offering open, affordable, high-performance software and hardware solutions with nearly-universal device and game engine compatibility," says Yuval Boger, CEO of Sensics and co-founder of OSVR. "Powered by the effort of the core Sensics and Razer engineering teams, participation of OSVR partners and contributions from VR enthusiasts worldwide, we look forward to sharing new and exciting capabilities."

Demos and new content at E3:

The HDK 2 will be available to demo from Razer's E3 booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Also available for demo at E3 will be the Gloveone motion tracking gloves from Neurodigital Technologies. Upon public release, the gloves will be available as a controller option for the HDK and all OSVR supporting head-mounted displays in the open ecosystem.

Content available to demo include:

• RedOut by 34BigThings
  
  • RedOut is the fastest futuristic AG racing game. Rush through the stunning low poly landscapes of a post-apocalyptic Earth at breakneck speed!

• Theme Park Studio by Pantera Entertainment
  
  • Theme Park Studio is a powerful suite of tools that allows players to design, build, and experience stunning amusement parks of their own design.

• The Hum: Abductions by Totwise Studios
  
  • The Hum: Abductions is a First Person Horror game inspired by the alien abductions folklore, with strong story, realistic graphics and VR support.

• Infinite by Project Gateway VR Studios GmbH
  
  • Infinite is an exploration game to be released in 5 episodes. The game focusses on Riley, searching for a way home after crashing on a foreign planet.

• A-10 by Futuretown Inc
  
  • A-10 VR is a VR take on a classic sci-fi gallery shooter. Hone your sharp shooting skills in 3 game modes in this outer space gallery shooter.

And many more.

Both HDKs support a wide range of content technologies including SteamVR and native experiences. Additional content plans will be announced soon.

Annex:

Comparison Chart:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              HDK 2                 Oculus Rift          HTC Vive            
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Display      OLED                  OLED                 OLED                
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Resolution   2160x1200             2160x1200            2160x1200           
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Refresh Rate 90hz                  90hz                 90hz                
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Platform     OSVR                  Oculus Home          SteamVR             
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Field of     110 degrees           110 degrees          110 degrees         
  view                                                                       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Tracking     8 x 9 feet            5 x 11 feet          15 x 15 feet        
  area                                                                       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Built in     No                    Yes                  No                  
  audio                                                                      
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Built in mic No                    Yes                  No                  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Controller   Any OSVR compatible   Oculus Touch, Xbox   Lighthouse          
              VR hardware, Any PC   One Controller or    controllers, any PC 
              compatible gamepad.   any PC compatible    compatible gamepad  
                                    gamepad.                                 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Sensors      Accelerometer,        Accelerometer,       Accelerometer,      
              Gyroscope,            Gyroscope,           Gyroscope, laser    
              magnetometer, 360-    magnetometer, 360-   sensor, front-facing
              degree positional     degree positional    camera.             
              tracking.             tracking.                                
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Connections  HDMI, USB 2.0, USB    HDMI, USB 2.0, USB   HDMI, USB 2.0, USB  
              3.0                   3.0                  3.0                 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Requirements NVIDIA GeForce GTX    NVIDIA GeForce GTX   NVIDIA GeForce GTX  
              970 /Radeon R9 280    970 / AMD 290        970 /Radeon R9 280  
              equivalent or greater equivalent or        equivalent or       
              Intel Core i5-4590    greater Intel i5-    greater Intel Core  
              equivalent or greater 4590 equivalent or   i5-4590 equivalent  
              8GB+ of RAM           greater 8GB+ RAM     or greater 4GB+ of  
              Compatible HDMI 1.3   Compatible HDMI 1.3  RAM Compatible HDMI 
              video output 2 x USB  video output 2x USB  1.3 video output 1x 
              2.0 port              3.0 ports Windows 7  USB 2.0 port        
                                    SP1 or newer                             
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Price        $400                  $600                 $800                
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

HDK 2 Specifications

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Faceplate Module          Mainboard                 Display Module         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 IR Faceplate providing    Sensor hub with           Dual Display 2160x1200 
  positional information   integrated                display technology     
  with 360-degree          accelerometer, gyroscope  running at 90fps.      
  tracking for             and compass               Features a low         
  responsive, multi                                  persistence OLED silver
  directional input.       External USB 3.0          screen with 441 PPI.   
  Comes with an IR Camera  connection for            IQE (Image Quality     
  operating at 100hz.      additional accessories    Enhancer) technology   
                                                     for reduced screen door
                           Additional 2 x USB 3.0    effect.                
                           connectors for internal                          
                           expansion                                        
                                                                            
                           Re-programmable for                              
                           additional                                       
                           functionality.                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Faceplate Module         Optics Module             HMD Mechanical Module     Belt Box Module        
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 IR Faceplate providing   High performance dual     Removable face mask       Additional USB 3.0     
  positional information  lens system for ultra-                              connectivity           
  with 360-degree         sharp images              Bamboo charcoal                                  
  tracking for                                      microfiber foam layer     Surround Sound Audio   
  responsive, multi       Enlarged eye-box for      for additional comfort    codec integrated       
  directional input.      fuss-free setup, right                                                     
  Comes with an IR Camera out-of-box                Thicker foam padding for  Easier cable management
  operating at 100hz.                               cheekbones & nose bridge  and ergonomics         
                          Low geometric distortion  rubber insert for                                
                          and color corrected       enhanced comfort          Signal boosters        
                          image for faster                                                           
                          rendering                                                                  
                                                                                                     
                          Individual eye focus for                                                   
                          personalized use without                                                   
                          glasses.                                                                   
                                                                                                     
                          *diopters cover +4.5 to                                                    
                          -2 adjustments to cater                                                    
                          to majority of users.                                                      
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Images: http://resource.osvr.com.s3.amazonaws.com/marketing/HDK%20Image%20Pack.zip

For more information on the HDK 2 visit osvr.org/hdk2.

Register your interest at osvr.org/buy.

About OSVR:

OSVR™ is the world's largest open source VR software platform designed to set an open standard for virtual reality input devices, games and output to enable the development of a cohesive VR ecosystem which provides enhanced compatibility and hardware choices to anyone looking to enjoy VR. Supported by industry leaders, the OSVR framework unites developers and gamers alike under a single platform. Plug in. Play Everything.

For the full list of OSVR supporters go to www.osvr.org.

Like OSVR on FB: https://www.facebook.com/OpenSourceVR.

Follow OSVR on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OpenSource_VR.

Razer - For Gamers. By Gamers.™

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