Difference Between Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR

The key difference between Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR is that the Oculus rift is more expensive and needs to be assisted by a powerful PC. It also comes with a higher resolution display, more sensors, and more connectivity whereas the PlayStation VR can support a higher refresh rate and is a cheaper alternative at the same time.

Both these headsets, Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR, have many similar features on paper. However, the games available on both the devices are different. The Oculus rift has been already released while the PlayStation VR will be available in a few months. It is only a matter of when the user would like to join the VR club and what price he wants to offer.

Both Oculus rift and PlayStation VR come with impressive hardware and features. But which is the best VR of the two? Which will cement its place as the VR of the future? Let’s find out from the following section.

Oculus Rift – Features and Specifications

Design

The device is mainly designed for a single screen which has been split in two. The rift comes with a resolution of 2160 X 1200 pixels and 1920 X RGB X 1080. The headset connectivity can be achieved with the help of a USB or HDMI interface. The rift comes with built in speakers on the device itself. The rift is also powered by a magnetometer and a tracking system.  The device has been designed in  such a way that it will provide optimal immersive experience from a visual and audio point of view on the device. With the rift comes its standard Xbox One controller. It also comes with the Oculus Touch motion controller for a better presence in the space available.

Display

The display plays a major part in any Virtual Reality device found in the market. Key features like resolution, refresh rate and latency have to be just perfect in order to give the user a sense of presence in virtual reality. The device comes with an OLED display. The field of view provided by the display is 100 degrees. The rift comes with a resolution of 2160 X 1200 pixels. Compared with other VR headsets in the market, the resolution on the rift is a factor which gives it the upper hand over the other device.

Performance

If the VR devices do not provide a proper refresh rate, it will cause motion sickness which will not be an ideal user experience. If the refresh rate is slow, the images produced will be sluggish and swimmy. This will cause nausea for the user. The refresh rate of the Rift stands at 90 Hz for an eye. The advantage of the rift is that its hardware can be upgraded and modified to be more powerful. The hardware of the Rift includes the Nvidia GTX 970 or AMD 290, the intel i5 4590 processor, a minimum memory of 8GB and the OS being the Window 7 service pack 1 or better. The device will be hooked up to the device with the help of a 1.3 HDMI port, three USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port.

Price

The rift is on the expensive side and will need to be powered by a powerful PC, which will raise the cost even further. The cost may be a concern for the users who would like to get their feet wet in the VR world.

PlayStation VR – Features and Specifications

Design

The screen has been split in two. If we are to consider only one eye, the resolution stands at 960 X RGB X 1080 pixels. Connectivity on the device can be achieved with the help of an HDMI and USB port. The PlayStation comes with stereo powered earbuds for sound. The PlayStation VR uses the camera on the PlayStation Eye camera to power its tracking system. The device comes with support for inputs like a gamepad and a motion controller. The PlayStation VR is supported by the Dual Stock 4 controller and the PlayStation Move motion controller.

Display

The display which comes with the PlayStation VR is powered by OLED. OLED displays will provide rich colors as well as great contrast levels. The field of view which the device provides is 100 degrees. The resolution which is provided by the display of the device is 1920 X 1080 pixels.

Performance

The refresh rate of the device is 90 Hz. The PlayStation VR is able to render games up to a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Although the higher refresh rate may seem attractive, it will be up to the hardware to support such a refresh rate to provide great graphics. The PlayStation VR will need to be used as a peripheral to the Sony’s Play Station 4 console with a small processor. The rift will need to be used with a gaming PC, which is able to provide high performance. The PlayStation 4 comes with static hardware which may be a disadvantage for the device. The refresh rate may be the key factor as a higher value will provide a better user experience and sense of immersion.

Price

The PlayStation VR will be the cheaper alternation when compared the Oculus Rift. PlayStation 4, Move controller, and the Play station eye camera will be needed with the headset. This will be the ideal device for a user who owns a PlayStation 4.

What is the difference between Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR?

Price

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift cost around $599 which also requires a powerful and costly PC to run effectively.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR will cost around $399. This will require a PlayStation 4 console, Move controller and a PlayStation Eye camera.

The Rift would cost more as the VR headset and a powerful PC would come at a high cost.  Comparatively, the PlayStation VR comes at a lower cost, and if the user has the luxury of having a PlayStation 4, this the device to got to.

Display

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift is powered by an OLED display.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR is powered by an OLED display. The panel size stands at 5.7 inches.

Resolution

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift comes with a resolution of 2160 X 1200.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR comes with a resolution of 1920 X RGB X 1080.

The Oculus Rift comes with a higher resolution making it the clearer and crisp display of the two.

Refresh Rate

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift comes with a refresh rate 90 Hz per eye.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR comes with a refresh rate of 90 Hz which can be further enhanced to 120 HZ during gaming.

Field  of View

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift comes with a field of view of approximately 110 degrees.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR comes with a field of view of approximately 110 degrees.

Sensors

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift comes with an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, constellation tracking sensor.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR comes with an Accelerometer, gyroscope, PlayStation eye tracking system.

Connections

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift can achieve connectivity with the help of an HDMI 1.3 port, 3X USB 3.0 ports, 1 X USB 2.0 port.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR can achieve connectivity with the help of an HDMI port and a USB port.

Input

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift can support input devices like the Oculus Touch, Xbox One controller.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR can support input devices like the PlayStation Move and the dual shock 4 controllers.

Release

Oculus Rift: The Oculus Rift is available for preorder and is available for now.

PlayStation VR: The PlayStation VR will be available after 2016.

Oculus Rift vs PlayStation VR – Comparison of Specifications