The PSVR Excels as a 3D Blu-ray Display

EB: Naturally when Sony revealed this new feature for the PSVR I regained hope that the hundreds of dollars, if not thousands I spent on 3D Blu-rays wouldn’t be wasted after all. Well, I finally got around to trying the PSVR’s 3D functionality, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Outside of the fact that I now have to wear a headset to watch 3D movies, I consider the PSVR’s handling of the depth effect to be one of the best I’ve experienced, and the closest I’ve seen to what you get in a real deal movie theater.

[ApocalypseShadow]

So let's recap...

3D is still alive at the movies. Customers are still watching 3D at home. You can watch 3D bluray on PlayStation systems without the darkening of wearing glasses. And it looks great.

But naysayers said 3D is dead. It isn't. They said PS move was dead. It isn't. Said that VR is dead. It isn't. All three seemed to have evolved from where they were to how they are being used now. And increasing their use and growth. Imagine that. Naysayers being wrong.

[Sitdown]

I'm not saying one way or another, but what percentage of movies coming to theaters are in 3D, what percentage are watching at home? Why did none of Samsung's TV from last year include it? Is the pulse getting weaker or stronger. And this is someone who always tries to get movies in 3D, and hate that Samsung left it out of their TV, especially when I previously bought glasses for my other model.

[darthv72]

I liked 3d movies but really hated that there was so much content not even worthy of the 3d treatment. You can have movies like avatar and star wars in 3d but then you get movies like step-up 3d and piranha 3d and you think... WTF?

As for VR, yeah i think it makes a great 'singular' experience and so for watching 3d bluray movies you would be the only one to enjoy it while others just watch it on a regular screen. Now obviously if they would be able to have multiple HMD's connected they would but they can't (at least not now).

In time though i feel there will be a happy medium for 3D and VR to be mutually involving with others in the room instead of just a single person having all the fun.

[TankCrossing]

Not just Samsung, everyone has dropped it now. It's a shame too, because 3D on the LG OLEDs looks legitimately great.

[ILostMyMind]

Where i live all movies are 3D... unfortunately. But I would watch it on PSVR.

[rainslacker]

Quite a few movies are released on 3D blu-Ray. Typically cost about $5 more, and typically for big action type movies. It's far from uncommon.

It's also worth noting that many 4K displays can support 1080p 3D.

Sure, the 3D branded models aren't as common anymore, but it's not really a dead format....otherwise, I wouldn't see 3D versions of movies still being released regularly.

In the theaters, I'd say any big movie typically has a 3D offering at least in one theater or at least once a day.

Can't speak about percentages at home, but my lack of knowledge is probably about as relevant as yours on the subject.

[stuna1]

The only one's who are saying 3D failed are those who walk through life with their eyes closed! 3D is more prevalent than it has ever been. It was never meant to replace anything, it was meant to enhance it or provide more options! It did what VR is doing now, and what AR will do, provide more intricate ways and options to doing things.

Why do people think when the tech starts losing peoples attention it re-immerges years sometimes decades later, but more refined. Here's something people overlook 3D is the building block of VR, AR and even Holograms.

[Timesplitter14]

You'd have to be insane to watch regular 3D movies in VR. It's just terrible. The only reason people do it now is because of the novelty factor and curiosity

It only works if it's a fully-3D movie that you can move around in (which is different from the "3D" we are talking about here).

[REDGUM]

Im not disagreeing with you (3D isn't dead) but I do have to say that the missing function on alot of new tv's released now dont have 3D tech in them anymore unless you are ok with spending an additional $1000 & that has to hurt the 3D market. Taking that teck out of the new TV's seems silly to me. Looking at you Samsung series 9!!!

[ApocalypseShadow]

3D will just transfer to phones and VR.

If you have the latest phones and a compatible headset like gear VR or Google daydream, you can watch 3D movies. Not just on TVs.

Not only that, but the headsets are $100 or less.a family doesn't need the television, they just need the headsets. Since it's not using the glasses, it comes in full color and not darkened. Phones are fully capable of watching a full 2 hour film without the battery dying.

There are more consumers with capable 3D watching devices than there were 3D televisions. Only a matter of time before the phone and VR headsets become the go to devices to watch 3D movies.

[Anzil]

It's pretty cool

[e3kehoe]

I don't agree with this. My oled does near perfect 3D and would say the psvr is great but the resolution and color are not even close to my tv.

[2pacalypsenow]

The VR does 1080P, your 3D blu rays are 1080p. Color I would agree, im getting my XBR65A1E delivered soon, and Ill be able to tell.

Plus the simulated 120" screen, I would rather watch a 3d movie on the VR.

[maybelovehate]

1080p .5 inches from your face is well.. not good.

[2pacalypsenow]

Looks fine to me.

[kiwisoup]

Right and very wrong. PSVR is 1080p, but that is cut in half for each eye which is really 540p. On top of that, you get a distorted round image that the lenses undistort when viewed, so the areas outside those circles are black and not utilized, so you're losing another at least 30% of that image. Add on top of that the aliasing, you lose detail, so that the individual pixels and jaggies aren't so noticable. I watched Fantastic Beasts and fast motion across the screen was very hard to focus on as it had a weird strobing effect. Also the areas not in the center of your view are more blurry and i found myself having to turn my head to see parts of the screen clearly. It's a nice alternative and novelty but sitting through an entire movie is a different story.

[ILostMyMind]

The news says watching 3D movie on PSVR is great. Not that it's better than watch on your 3D Oled TV. What are you disagreeing with?

[e3kehoe]

So there are definitely some people here that evidently have not seen a 3-D movie on a 65 inch LG OLED 4K TV!! Because it's by far the best 3D I've seen and everyone that's watched it at my house will agree! Yes it's not as big as the theater but the image is wayyyy sharper and more vibrant!!!

[Taero]

Huh, and how much did that cost as my psvr was 399.

[psplova]

This is awesome news I had no idea about! I have a 3D HDTV and a bunch of 3D movies and was wondering if PSVR would ever allow for 3D playback. So this is pretty cool for a 3D junkie like me! Even more reason for me to get a PSVR one day..

[lunatic0001]

I did not even know this feature existed...Have a couple 3d movies that I will try

[Iceball2000]

Can't wait for the price to come down in Canada. I so want one. But the height price and high taxes in Ontario are keeping me from getting this PSVR

[Cupid_Viper_3]

Hey there,

Just a thought. You could always try to get one from Craigslist as it would be a bit cheaper than buying it brand new, plus you wouldn't have to worry about taxes. There's bound to be a few of them on Craigslist, I believe.

[Iceball2000]

Nah, if I'm spending that kind of money I'll just get it new. Then I don't have to worry if things are missing, brokering, and have warranty and can return it or what not and also register to me.

[Cupid_Viper_3]

Fair enough. I totally understand that point of view as well. I bought mine brand new because of the same reasons. I didn't want to risk all the parts not being included and such. But knowing what I know now, I would get it second hand for cheaper if I had the chance and use the money I would save to invest in VR Games. The device is remarkably simple and only needs like 4 cables, the headset itself, and the relay box.

But regardless of whether you get it new or used, I would definitely recommend it. It's such a different way to play games and enjoy media. Also get the "Little Star VR" app once you buy one. Lots of cool contents made for VR on there.

[maybelovehate]

The resolution stops this from being anything more than a gimmick, unfortunately. Better than nothing though.

[jinjojuice]

Shame no 2017 tvs support 3d.

[S2Killinit]

It is pretty awesome.

[Nodoze]

3D lives. I for one love it. It adds another level of depth and presence to the movies. If we could get beyond the forced scarcity of 3d Bluray releases in the US we would be in a much better place. I purchased a multi region Oppo as I grew tired of the studio politics with not releasing 3d content in the US (but for some reason releasing it is MEXICO)....Am I really expected to believe there is a larger Mexican 3D fan base than that of the US?? That is just BS.

For those that love 3D, good luck on your hunt for content.

Oh and one last note, I will NOT be making the jump to 4k. 3D and 1080 are good enough for me, and I do not intend to jump on the buy it all again bandwagon. The studios can pound sand.

[MrFisher21]

I love my 4k tv. Samsung last years model 8500. Everyone I show 4k to is amazed by the clarity and depth. Maybe its the price for people? Or lack of caring? I dunno. I like to always have nice stuff when it comes to my video and audio. And money isn't an issue for me. Definitely not a bandwagon though just because people can't afford or aren't interested. Some people are early adapters. And honestly, without us who would test the devices? And give honest opinions for the people that wait to buy things when they become cheaper? I didn't really consider it a jump. Lol. But maybe it's a bigger impact on some then others its a tv and a dvd player. Lol.

[ps5fanboy]

So happy to hear , investing in v.r soon.

[_LarZen_]

The resolution is to low for it being a good movie experience. The 3D effect is good since we have a screen for each eye. It's just to bad 3D is soon gone..no new TV manufacturers are adding it to their products. So it's just a question of time before 3D Blu-ray is no more.

[Perjoss]

I've not even tried this yet, wasnt even aware it was a thing, funny as I have PSVR and a few 3D movies at home.

[Einhander1971]

3D is dead only alive in cinemas, most new TV,s don't have it. Nintendo haven't integrated it into SWITCH. PS move is dead I bought one at launch only resurrected for PSVR. PSVR is great but no truly amazing games YET. Also it needs a price drop to stimulate sales, E3 will be interesting for PSVR. unfortunately it could end up going the same way as PS VITA and 3D.

[mixelon]

When the display is higher resolution I'll agree with this.. VR movie watching is nowhere near the fidelity of just using a TV at the moment. :/

[jaycptza]

considering the resolution of a Blu-ray is the same as PS VR I dont understand your reasoning?

[mwjw696]

540p per eye. Its just above standard def.

[Rhythmattic]

Its not 540p per eye.. Its a 1920 X 1080p screen... So its still 1080p on the vertical, just 960 on the horizontal....
Just saying.

[jaycptza]

clearly mwjw696 is pretty ill informed. it's 960 X 1080 per eye idiot, couldnt you even google it?