It could be, but it could also be an old, malfunction camera or move controllers.
If it is not the case, then those statistics are disastrous when it hits markets, and 25% of owners have malfunctioning units.
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Giant Bomb PSVR stream | It's always Summer in PlayStation VR Nation
- Thread starter Death Metalist
- Start date
It could be, but it could also be an old, malfunction camera or move controllers.
If it is not the case, then those statistics are disastrous when it hits markets, and 25% of owners have malfunctioning units.
SmiteOfHand
Member
I realize trying to troubleshoot via livestream is silly, but I missed the first few hours and went back to watch it. You can read about my adventures with reflective TV surfaces and its impact on VR tracking here. Might be worth it for them to try throwing the greenscreen over the TV I highlighted below. You can see how reflective it is with the glow of green from the greenscreen. If the lights are being reflected from the headset and the camera is catching the reflection it will be a problem.
Worked for me. ¯\_(ツ
_/¯
Worked for me. ¯\_(ツ
_/¯
I realize trying to troubleshoot via livestream is silly, but I missed the first few hours and went back to watch it. You can read about my adventures with reflective TV surfaces and its impact on VR tracking here. Might be worth it for them to try throwing the greenscreen over the TV I highlighted below. You can see how reflective it is with the glow of green from the greenscreen. If the lights are being reflected from the headset and the camera is catching the reflection it will be a problem.
Worked for me. ¯\_(ツ
Entirely possible but they also had the same issues on the couch and at home.
SmiteOfHand
Member
Yeah, FWIW reflective surfaces are everywhere. Many people have a mirror somewhere in their living room, for example.
Just didn't see anyone mentioning reflections, and I know first hand it can be a problem.
And mirrors work in the dark when a camera is looking for lights.
Jacksinthe
Banned
Could be anything.
I have speculated that bad electrical can cause oscillation in the LEDs while everything else functions proper.
My house has a slight rhythmic hum through audio equipment so I run all of my gear through a power conditioner.
If the LEDs do oscillate in brightness, the camera will probably perceive this as movement.
Could be faulty anything else, too. But the likelihood of 2 defective units in a row, while possible, isn't entirely probable. This leans more towards problems unrelated to PSVR.
At the same time, others have reported mild issues, so it could be the units/camera. Since the headset uses LEDs it could be a faulty batch with imperceptible oscillation.
Edit: all this from a former audio producer so yeah. Mildly relatable and highly anecdotal, fyi.
Zalusithix
Member
Actually, talking about oscillation, nothing has been mentioned about PSVR working this way, but Oculus uses IR LED patterns which are synced to the camera. For each frame imaged by the camera, a different set of LEDs are turned on for false positive rejection. If (and this is a big if) Sony is doing something similar with PSVR where different LED sections of the headset are illuminated on a per-frame basis, and the synchronization between the camera and headset is slightly off, it could potentially cause issues with the algorithms that determine the headset position.
That's a hell of a long shot in the dark though.
Watching a bit more of the GB stream, it does appear that a lot of these tracking issues could be reflection related.
There are times where the camera lights shining of of the headset are so bright that they are obscuring the PSVR headset lights.
Wasn't there a developer talk (maybe slides only, I can't recall) maybe 8 months ago where they discussed some of the tracking methods? I have done a bit of searching, but my googlefu is shitty these days it seems.
Any one else remember this? Same time we found out that there were mandatory frame rate minimums and reprojection talks.
EDIT: found it, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RNbZpcfAhE
planning to rewatch now.
There are times where the camera lights shining of of the headset are so bright that they are obscuring the PSVR headset lights.
Wasn't there a developer talk (maybe slides only, I can't recall) maybe 8 months ago where they discussed some of the tracking methods? I have done a bit of searching, but my googlefu is shitty these days it seems.
Any one else remember this? Same time we found out that there were mandatory frame rate minimums and reprojection talks.
EDIT: found it, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RNbZpcfAhE
planning to rewatch now.
LEDs shouldn't oscillate like that from house power, they aren't incandescent bulbs connected directly to mains . At the very least whatever DC converter should hold enough charge to withstand such a ripple, particularly when the drop from mains to LED voltages is so severe. Given that if the rest of the device remains functional, then the LEDs should remain at a constant brightness.
I saw that too. The blue lights of the headset 'went dark' if that makes sense. I just thought it was a video issue.
Again though, they're having issues at home as well where they're not under studio lights. They aren't the only publication talking about having this problem either, really. It's possible it works flawlessly if there is nothing at all reflective behind the person playing, but that might be an unrealistic expectation.
SmiteOfHand
Member
To be clear, it isn't just simply any old reflective surface, like shiny surfaces or whatever. I have large picture frames with glass, that is very shiny, close to my Vive setup (that I highly suspected for a long time until I completely ruled it out)
It has to be pretty close to mirror quality in my experience. Just so happens televisions when turned off act as pretty decent mirrors.
Right, so it possible to have more than one problem occurring at the same time, which makes troubleshooting quite difficult.
So the positional tracking relies on a couple of things,
#1. The camera recognizing the positions of up to seven front facing LED
#2. 'high speed sensor data' from the VR headset itself
It sounds like the sensor data and the camera tracking are somehow out of sync, and this could be software related.
Potentially the camera data Vsync and the HMD sensor data are not correctly clocked, maybe an issue with reproduction? Not sure. I remember him saying something to the effect of the issue is not present when simply looking at the PS4 interface, as in before jumping into a game.
Gonna need them stability updates
Haint
Member
It's 2016, every single multi-billion, multi-national corporation solicits 'turfers to steer discussions on major sites like Reddit and Neogaf. Sometimes they're obvious, sometimes they're subtle. They employ 100k+ employees, of course they have people wrangling internet discussions. This even goes for companies that are only tangentially related, such as broader nerd culture (like devices). The cost of having some guy managing a community is infinitesimal. Look no further than Youtuber's that post bogus "reviews" for what amounts to free schwag.
Last third was eh, but the first two-thirds were fun. Seeing Jeff sick like that for the first time was weird.
They'll be doing another stream next week so look forward to that!
Tainted
Member
2 PSVR streams ? Whats the reasoning for that ? I assume they say in the stream but I am at work so I can't watch it until I get home
AwakenedCloud
Member
Did they not try any regular games in the VR display mode? Even if were just for a couple minutes I would like to hear their impressions on how that feels.
Hatsune Miku VR comes out on the 13th.
Ninja Scooter
Member
I think Jeff said they will take a look at some of the other launch software next week but I imagine it will just be in the form of a VRodeo.
They mentioned that some games were embargoed and some they just didn't have so I assume that is why.
Tainted
Member
I don't know why they didn't just wait until launch to do the stream then....as they did for the Rift and Vive.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Because today was the day reviews/impressions went live and people were craving the coverage. What is so wrong with doing two streams?
PopcornMegaphone
Banned
Watching the stream now. Rez looks so awesome in vr. I love the original and I can't wait to try this version
CitizenCope
Member
I watched all 3 streams live and all of them carried the GiantBomb "meh" throughout. They need to get some life in that group.
Glitchesarecool
Member
Because when would viewership be higher, but on the day when the embargo lifts and everyone is covering it?
Get hype for tech demos guys!!
I distinctly remember them having fun with the devices, especially the Vive and best character of 2016, Tracer Core.
BRocknRolla
Member
Things looked rough at the start of that stream. Definitely some improvement once they moved the cameras closer, though not perfect. Some really strange, uneven calibration from game to game too.
Man... Dan playing VR games though... I know Drew even mentioned it, but he plays them so spastically. It's hard to watch.
Why should they force something they don't feel? Is their job to be hyped and excited about all things video games, or provide their honest reactions?
They echo much of my own sentiments about VR right now; a promise unfulfilled. Nothing wrong with their honest take.
Man... Dan playing VR games though... I know Drew even mentioned it, but he plays them so spastically. It's hard to watch.
Why should they force something they don't feel? Is their job to be hyped and excited about all things video games, or provide their honest reactions?
They echo much of my own sentiments about VR right now; a promise unfulfilled. Nothing wrong with their honest take.
Askherserenity
Member
Did you see the games they were playing?
I appreciate their cynicism. It's different from most other press outlets and is refreshing in that regard. There's a reason they've become my go-to over the past year.
While astroturfers are no doubt frequent I also feel that we jump on the whole "paid shill" thing way too fast. There are a ton of people who are simply fiercely brand loyal and jump on the defense of their favorite with fervor.
CitizenCope
Member
Sorry guys just letting the guy know what to expect. I spent 12-15 hard hours of work getting paid while watching these streams. VR needs to be played to get the true experience but watching GB's streams on it makes it seem VR is a better option than Melatonin to put you to sleep.
Jim would like to have a word with you.
https://youtu.be/lMOQ7qv6IIw?t=792
He spent almost half of the review for the PSVR on just this game alone.
TheHollowNight
Member
Jeff Gerstmann: Professional Babe Scoper
https://vine.co/v/5gaO7KeZ95g
https://vine.co/v/5gaO7KeZ95g
Death Metalist
Member
Man, some of the responses in this thread, Jeez. Predictable though. It needs to be said that they've tried VR ever since Oculus launched, they did two 11 or so hour livestreams for Oculus and Vive with no issues whatsoever. They even had a PSVR from Phil Fish to play Super HyperCube which didn't have any issues.
My point is that if there is a chance for faulty hardware then that's huge and it needs to be investigated as well as addressed for the time being. Obviously, for now it seems that it's a rare case but who knows what happens when this thing drops to the masses who of course will be having varying living conditions and all depending on how and where they live.
I should also mention that Brad used the old PS4 camera and Jeff used the new one, since both of them are the same on a technical level it didn't make a difference as we clearly saw since both of them had problems. They also mentioned they had the SAME problems at home so there is clearly something wrong here, Brad did mention he got Batman to work perfectly though at 4 in the afternoon one time. They also tried it at different distances. Just because others didn't have problems doesn't mean we dismiss those that did have problems because Giant Bomb weren't the only ones that had problems, atleast a handful of other outlets did have the same problems that GB had. When you're going to drop 400$+ on a hardware, you gotta take everything in consideration. Please remember this.
The lesson to be learned from all of this of course is, NEVER PREORDER. The wait and see approach always works wonders in the end. Now technical issues aside, as a person who has been following VR ever since Oculus hit the masses, what I saw didn't impress me but there were a few highlights (Thumper, Battle Zone, Rez Infinite & Super HyperCube) I'm more interested in what Sony is going to do in the future with this thing.
My point is that if there is a chance for faulty hardware then that's huge and it needs to be investigated as well as addressed for the time being. Obviously, for now it seems that it's a rare case but who knows what happens when this thing drops to the masses who of course will be having varying living conditions and all depending on how and where they live.
I should also mention that Brad used the old PS4 camera and Jeff used the new one, since both of them are the same on a technical level it didn't make a difference as we clearly saw since both of them had problems. They also mentioned they had the SAME problems at home so there is clearly something wrong here, Brad did mention he got Batman to work perfectly though at 4 in the afternoon one time. They also tried it at different distances. Just because others didn't have problems doesn't mean we dismiss those that did have problems because Giant Bomb weren't the only ones that had problems, atleast a handful of other outlets did have the same problems that GB had. When you're going to drop 400$+ on a hardware, you gotta take everything in consideration. Please remember this.
The lesson to be learned from all of this of course is, NEVER PREORDER. The wait and see approach always works wonders in the end. Now technical issues aside, as a person who has been following VR ever since Oculus hit the masses, what I saw didn't impress me but there were a few highlights (Thumper, Battle Zone, Rez Infinite & Super HyperCube) I'm more interested in what Sony is going to do in the future with this thing.
The Vive stream had a lot of positive moments, but there was seemingly an after the act overall "yawn" reaction (that over the past month I think has started to dissipate). That's how people seem to have perceived it at least. Especially since most of the crew don't seem to have actually A. played any of the good stuff and B. spent much time with VR at all. This is especially true of Dan. Jeff seems to be the most level headed about it. Actually plays with the stuff, recognizes the cool things and why they are cool, and is realistic about the negatives.
BRocknRolla
Member
Brilliant.
ScientificPizza
Banned
Nah, VR just needs to get better games tbh
Ninja Scooter
Member
if you get it from a place like Target or Amazon, I'd imagine the return policy is liberal enough that you can test it out in your own environment to see if any of those things are deal breakers.
AcademicSaucer
Member
Man, thats a damn shame, after all PSVR was supposed to be the one to bring VR to the mainstream.
Not a bad idea. Probably what I'll wind up doing whenever they get more stock in.
This thing hasn't even launched yet to the actual masses and people are already dooming it.
Let's just forget all the other reviews from the other publications out there and just completely ignore what Eurogamer stated in regards to faulty hardware..
Actually, let's just forget also the other videos like Gamespot's stream or Jim Sterling's review where he stated that this was his most favorite VR headset. Let's just forget all that I guess.
DizzyCaffeine
Member
Watching the stream now, and the Resident Evil demo is seriously making me nauseous.
But Jeff actually likes VR. He just doesn't sugarcoat its flaws.
Watch Giant Bomb play Rec Room for actual joy in VR.
GB don't just get excited for any mediocre software which is what 99% of VR games currently are.
A Grizzly Bear
Member
How far into the stream is that?
DizzyCaffeine
Member
29:00
FlappyHands
Neo Member
It's time to kick ass and chew parents, and I'm all outta parents.
Back on topic though, I really hope Sony can fix most of these issues with some software/firmware updates or this thing could tank hard. If it's a hardware issue they need to sort it and do a recall or something, that would lessen the damage of what could otherwise be a complete trainwreck.
The issues sound like all the issues I and others had with the move controllers. Weird drifting problems, butter, random shaking.
I've actually decided though I'm keeping my pre order and if the drifting is noticeable I'm just sending it back and will get the pro in its place and just wait on vr.