About this project
The 8K VR headset is just a starting point for DIY enthusiasts. With modular design in mind, we made Pimax 8K an extendable device that not only works with your current accessories, but also allows easy implementation of new technologies. e.g. hand motion, inside-out tracking, wireless, eye tracking, etc.
"The 200° FOV is something you won't be able to go back from, using my Oculus now feels like I'm viewing the world through a scuba mask! The screen/lens combo is so far ahead of the current Oculus and Vive it's ridiculous. No screen door, little to no rays or ghosting... no chromatic aberration or "ripples" from a fresnel lens, no visible sub pixels, no noticeable smearing Despite looking bulky.
“The headset is light, lighter than the Vive apparently, and didn't slosh around as my head turned quickly." User hands-on review on Reddit 2017.10.05
"...This truly feels like a next-gen headset. I have to say the 200 degree's FOV is absolutely a game changer. It's really on a whole different level to anything I've used (Oculus/PSVR and even the Pimax BE) the sense of presence you feel with those extra degree's is amazing. I got to play Fruit Ninja and also Big Screen desktop.
The clarity of the display was sharper than my samurai sword I was wielding in Fruit Ninja, and fluid as anything. I could not perceive SDE or god rays when using it.
I am already used to having a high resolution headset anyway (when compared to Rift/Vive) but take that, and add those extra degree's FOV and you get an idea of what it's like. In fact, someone likened it going from 4:3 to Widescreen Televisions - it's *that* dramatic." User hands-on review on Elite Dangerous forum 2017.10.06
"The 200 degree FOV does make an enormous difference. You no longer feel like you are wearing ski goggles. It feels like natural vision since your periphery is no longer blocked."
"8k resolution truly feels next-gen. There was zero screen door effect. Objects looked perfectly solid and you could see the details up close. There was no aliasing. Apart from the obvious graphical artwork of the world, there was nothing to indicate I was in a digital world. It felt like a real, solid world."
"Going back to Oculus Rift after trying the Pimax feels like wearing a last-gen headset. Like using the iPhone before its 'Retina' display." Movingfulcrum
"The headset’s resolution was probably the best thing about the headset. Whilst inside, I couldn’t discern individual sub-pixels no matter how hard I looked – whereas with the Rift or Vive I can. It took some effort to even discern individual pixels." Roadtovr
"...images moved with my head movements with less latency than one would expect with little to no bloom distortion (pixels that change color too slowly and cause a blurry image) at all." Upload VR
“In addition I would say the colours felt very intense and had a kind of popout effect on me which was really cool also the brightful image was very apparent to me.” DaHillersen
“...a very early but extremly impressive prototype using an advanced laser tracking system and 2 4k screens, one for each eye. Additionaly the system has 2 perfectly working all-orientation controllers for a wide range of applications. The system has by far the best resolution, movement tracking and Field of view of all systems I have tested ad the exhibiton. " JL2579
Here are some videos from our roadshows:
(SVVR, San Carlos, Sep.14 2017)
(Pimax 8K with hands-on module)
(IFA, Berlin, Sep, 2017)
(IFA, Berlin, Sep, 2017)
Pimax 8K is a cutting edge virtual reality device designed for VR futurists. Our goal is to create an intuitive VR without the shade of the headset, and sharp enough that you won't be disturbed by pixels.
We doubled FOV to 200 degrees, with an increased resolution to 2*3840x2160. Meanwhile, we have eliminated motion sickness, which is often associated with longer exposure to a virtual environment.
Pimax 8K VR has been built to support the mainstream content currently available in the market, including Steam VR, while offering the largest field-of-view (FOV) of 200° and the highest resolution (2*3840x2160) on any VR headset on the market with less than 15ms latency.
Unrivaled Visuals Pimax was first to market with a 4K VR headset, and that was just the beginning. We've refined elements from our 4K model, including ghosting and brightness, and now we're the first to bring you VR in 8K, with these issues resolved. Say goodbye to screen door effect, as we’re the ones putting “reality” into virtual reality.
Pimax 8K offers 200° Field of Vision (FOV), which is far closer to matching the natural human FOV of 220°. Users can simply use their peripheral vision instead of constantly moving their head, making for a more intuitive experience.
In addition, we’ve addressed and reduced one of the key visual shortcomings of VR technology. Known as the “screen door effect”, this is the phenomenon where the eye can detect the fine line between pixels in an image - something which, in VR can hinder immersion and the experience as a whole.
With 8K VR (3840x2160 per eye) you can dive into a world of clarity, while the graininess and "screen door" will never disturb you again, thanks to our awesome 2*3840x2160 resolution.
FOV Comparison
SDE Comparison
(original youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aHIsPSzmng)
For input signals that less than 8K, e.g. 4K, Pimax 8K can upscale 4K signals to 8K resolution with a special video processing module in the headset.
A lighter option
It's always good to have options, so we are also offering a special 5K edition for Kickstarter. Pimax 5K has all of the same features as Pimax 8K, apart from a difference in resolution and, of course, price. The resolution of 5K (2*2560x1440) is less than 8K (2*3840x2160), but still places it above many of the current headsets on the market. A 5K resolution is good enough to eliminate screen door, and ideal if you are not as deeply concerned about pixels.
Brainwarp
Brainwarp: render and display image in a sequence. i.e. For each time, only one eye can see a 4K image. Pimax 8K renders a single 4K image at 150/180 times per second, but users perceive a complete 8K at 150/180 Hz with high frame rate.
Brainwarp boosts refresh rate, reduces latency and decreases GPU pressure for Pimax 8K.
VR Content
Pimax 8K SDK integrates with Unity and Unreal Engine, and supports C++ API, and will help you discover the true potential of your existing content. Furthermore, we've opened the 8K device driver SDK and HDK for you to develop new accessories. The Pimax team is excited to support you with digital tutorials, an active forum, and Skype/email interactions.
Developing with Pimax 8K allows you to:
The user scenarios of VR are still limited, let's work together to explore the edge of VR experience!
Pimax was dreamed up in Shanghai and Silicon Valley. We are a group of developers that have decades of experience in smart devices, including many years experience in VR headset R&D and manufacturing. We are addicted gamers.
We are motivated to create 4K headset to eliminate the screen-door effect. We created Pimax 8K to remove the binoculars, so that you can use peripheral vision to detect enemies in VR.
We want to drive VR towards the direction of big FOV and high resolution. By launching on Kickstarter, the base camp of passionate and creative folks, we can shape Pimax 8K based on your feedback and deliver it to you faster.
Not only do we value the input of you early adopters, but for the developers amongst you - we want to make sure we are tailoring a headset to your specific needs in terms of enhancing the VR experiences you create.
VR Aircraft project open for participants
We made HMDs that works in a flight machine. However, we do not have enough expertise in making aircrafts, thus we are offering the VR aircraft project to those who interested in making it happen. Please download our VR Aircraft Images HERE.
* Add $100 to your pledge, and we will include a hand motion module to your package.
Risks and challenges
Manufacturing is not an issue, as we have delivered over 30K Pimax 4K headsets globally in half a year. For our Pimax 8K, we will use the Fresnel lens (2nd generation) without any supply issue.
We are in the stages of finalizing the solution for positional tracking, and as such it may delay the shipping time of rewards that include positional tracking. To overcome this we have come up with multiple positional tracking options, and we are seeking support and partnerships.
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