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(Note: the above video contains some bad language so if you’re not a fan, look away.)
UNLESS YOU’VE BEEN living under a rock for the last few months, chances are you’ve heard of Oculus Rift and how it’s going to finally bring virtual reality to the masses.
For those who haven’t, it a headset which properly immerses you in a 3D world. Beginning life as a Kickstarter campaign in 2012, the company behind the technology was acquired by Facebook for $2 billion in March.
But how does it work?
When you put on the headset, it blocks out everything except what you’re viewing, but instead of using one screen, Oculus Rift places two images side by side – one for each eye – creating a stereoscopic 3D image for you to view.
There are two factors which causes this effect. The first is that both images have a wide view meaning it takes up your entire field of view. The second is the angle for each image is slightly different, meaning when you view them together, it creates the impression of depth.
This results in your brain treating this as if it’s a real situation. You know you’re not standing at a height or riding a roller-coaster, but it certainly feels like it.
To add to the experience, it tracks your head movement so you can look around your world you’re in. When you move your head, the device detects it and adjusts the image to match your movement.
The journalists and tech staff here at TheJournal.ie had the chance to try out the headset this week. In this clip provided by Redbull, we got to experience what it would be like to dive from a 90ft height. This is what we saw when we had the headset on.
And how did we react? Well, you’re going to have to watch the video above to find out.
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Jez the bird doin it is absolutely savage!
I propose that the next step in the project should be to clone the girl demonstrating the tech.
With an army of her at the frontline this thing will outsell iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows XP, Big Macs, the wheel and any other technological wonders that have gone before.
Yeah she should be in it if you get my P.O.V
In feckin’ corrigible, Gizmo.
Do you come with the head set? Oh you tee hee hee!
Agree…her smile and laugh are knock out!
I honestly must be living under a rock, never heard of it before.
Was it A 3D rock?
Next it’ll be the holodeck :-) one hour with 7 of 9 please.
My sons got to try this at the “Niche” Expo in Enniskillen last week. They are big into their techie stuff, and they reckon it was the coolest thing EVER!!
Can’t wait for it. Wonder how much it will cost.
Seemingly around $300-$350.
Though no one knows for sure.
Oculus Rift/ skyrim is gonna be solo sweet!
It will be Eve Valkyrie > everything else
My company built that demo – the kit is quite cheap, costs €300 – the costly bit is making the 3D environment and getting a laptop with a smokin graphics card.
Try it if Red Bull are demoing near you – it’s really good- I’m looking forward to the HD version
Thanks for the estimate!
Thanks for that!
Close Jeremy, but I think the wastelands of Fallout are meant for this…..
I used got to try a demo recently. It was a roller coaster and it was deadly!
~Just goes to show you we could all pull together and make our own journal.ie……………..WOW…GIzmo……would you like a JOB?
Want
The reactions remind me of Richard Wilsons 20:50. An analogue mind trip.
Replies going into the wrong posts. Can the journal explain?
Did you mean that to appear there Ephen?
or RICK….or Jeremy?
have your say