As we all know, VR/AR is considered to be the entrance to the "metaverse"!
VR/AR headset has recently received more consumer attention, the current VR/AR headset from thousands of yuan to 10,000 yuan, Sina VR has also released "Sina VR teach you to choose VR/AR reliable equipment!" to help you choose the right VR headset.
But there are still some user feedback, the difference between thousand yuan and ten thousand yuan devices is only the configuration is different? Will anyone really buy such a high configuration? Is the 10,000 yuan device really suitable for the C-end?
In fact, there are many high-end and ultra-high-end VR headsets on the market now, but these devices will rarely be purchased by consumers, most of them are purchased by enterprise-level users in bulk, and consumer-grade products with the same model will also have enterprise-level options, so does the ultra-high-end VR headset still have the meaning of existence?
1. The difference between consumer-grade and enterprise-level equipment
For a long time, when purchasing VR headsets, you can choose enterprise-level and consumer-level products, such as Pico Neo3, you can choose the normal version and the enterprise version.
What is the difference between consumer and enterprise? At present, the consumer level is only to provide users with some basic functions, users can watch movies, games, social networking, etc. through the VR headset, which are closely related to our daily lives.
The enterprise level can be individually customized through the enterprise, based on the consumer-level equipment to create a suitable for use on the B-side, and many improvements have been made in the functions, so that B-end users have more suitable for use in the work scenario.
The general enterprise class will have eye tracking, better screens, programmable, customized content, more suitable for long-term wear, and so on. Since the functionality of consumer-grade products is not enough to support the use of B-side scenarios, the current enterprise-level equipment market is still relatively broad. Many manufacturers such as HTC and Dapeng VR in China have VR headsets for enterprise-level users.
2. How strong is the enterprise-class device?
Recently, Czech startup VRgineers launched a new VR headset XTAL 3, a professional-grade VR headset for the B-side. The XTAL 3 was developed in collaboration with international military pilots to provide the most realistic flight and combat training VR simulation to date.
The XTAL 3 offers a monocular 4K display with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels per eye and a refresh rate of 75Hz, with 120Hz only used at QHD resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels per eye. The field of view is 180 degrees horizontal and 90 degrees vertical.
For the first time, the XTAL 3 offers an integrated, high-quality mixed reality solution that captures the surrounding environment and displays VR video images through two 4K lenses. VRgineers said that thanks to the integrated mixed reality technology, pilots can see their hands, interact with the dashboard, learn correct motor skills and practice standard procedures.
XTAL 3 supports tracking from the inside out and is also compatible with Optitrack and Vicon's professional tracking systems. The integrated eye tracking system is used for behavioral analysis and setting lens distances, and also supports fovear rendering. XTAL 3 can be purchased with or without mixed reality versions. The VR version is priced at $8,900 and the MR version is priced at $11,500, with deliveries beginning in April 2022.
Varjo also launched a Varjo Aero in October 2021 with eye-tracking capabilities and variable resolution lenses, priced at $1990 per unit and expected to ship by the end of 2021.
The resolution of Varjo Aero is 2880 pixels per eye × 2770 pixels, with a refresh rate of 90hz and a diagonal of 134° (horizontal 115°). The display brightness is 150 nits, and the display uses a "dual mini LED LCD". The resolution of customized aspherical lenses varies according to the angle, the center of the lens is 35ppd, and the resolution gradually decreases as the lens outwards (35ppd, 34ppd, 33ppd, 27ppd).
From the perspective of configuration and price, there is a world of difference between consumer and enterprise grades. A minimum XTAL 3 can buy nearly 30 Quest2s, from the C-side experience, it may not be much different from quest2. However, XTAL 3 has eye tracking and customized content that Quest2 cannot achieve, which is also the meaning of the existence of enterprise VR headsets.
3. The meaning of enterprise-level VR headsets
Not all consumer-grade VR headsets can only be used for consumer grades, and not all enterprise VR headsets are only suitable for corporate purchases.
Take the Pico Neo 3Pro as an example, it is also suitable for consumers to buy, because the consumer level does not have DP streaming, only can support wireless streaming. But in most cases, the DP streaming experience is better, so the Pico Neo 3Pro is also suitable for consumers to buy.
The purpose of the existence of enterprise VR headsets is to allow more users to experience more powerful functions, but this will also sacrifice the advantages of weight, wearing and so on. Enterprise users are more often the device can be used normally, and problems such as wearing will be considered on the basis of having multiple functions.
At present, the more used enterprise-level equipment in China is actually HTC VIVE Pro, and many service providers and some exhibitions contacted by Sina VR reporters have chosen HTC VIVE Pro for content display. Although the device is considered by HTC VIVE to be a C-side product, according to the development strategy of HTC VIVE, it is obviously more focused on the B-end market.
The existence of enterprise-level VR headsets is to help more enterprises improve work efficiency and avoid production risks through VR, etc. Perhaps enterprise-level VR headsets have no advantages in terms of price, weight, etc., but for the development of enterprises and employee safety, compared with those who are light and heavy, they can be seen at a glance.
4. Our views
Existence is reasonable!
Although in the eyes of ordinary users, the configuration of the enterprise-level VR headset is ridiculously high, and even the appearance is not designed at all, it is undeniable that the enterprise-level VR headset has promoted the development of Chinese enterprises to a certain extent.
At present, VR has entered many fields, industry, education, security, etc., VR headset is not like a toy in the eyes of consumers, it carries the future technology.
At present, Panasonic, ByteDance and other well-known enterprises have entered the game, IDC expects that in 2022, a number of local XR manufacturers will begin to establish shopping mall brand self-operated stores in domestic first- and second-tier cities, and set up VR product counters in offline home appliances and digital stores at a fast pace.
With the advent of the concept of "meta-universe", VR headsets will enter more homes and enterprises. In the future, enterprise-level VR headsets will play their role in the factories of major enterprises and contribute to the progress of our times.