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[Kickstarter] Pimax: The World's First 8K VR Headset

10K views 160 replies 40 participants last post by  MrKoala 
#1 ·
Kickstarter ends November 3rd, 2017.

Theyre adding stretch goals on the 25th of september.


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pimax8kvr/pimax-the-worlds-first-8k-vr-headset/description

managed to get every steam game theyve tested to not looked stretched anymore, through rendering them natively at 200 fov. ( a response to the tested interview)
http://forum.pimaxvr.com/t/110-degrees-fov-stretched-to-200-degrees-edit-all-the-games-render-in-a-native-wide-fov-through-the-engine/3024

5k delivery time is the same as 8k

*5k Basic Package( 2x1440 rendered to 2x1440 screens) starting at 350-400 USD (depending on how long early bird packs last)

*8k Basic Package (2x1440p hardware scaled to 2x4k screens) starting at 499 USD.

*8k X (Native 8k) Package, starting at 650 USD.

TESTED took a look at the prototype headset and shared their opinions.
(Pimax developers have stated that they have already fixed all the issues that the TESTED crew discussed with the previous prototype that they tested,also, the demo was done on a laptop)

Short interview with Ren Pan from Pimax about one of their prototypes.

Interview with members of the crowd at SVVR, on 14th of september, 2017.
Also here is a short "review" from a youtuber who tried out the 5k version at IFA 2017. (keep in mind he also was using a prototype, and the final version will be much more polished according to PIMAX)
http://forum.pimaxvr.com/t/full-pimax-8k-and-5k-review/2778

Took a Few Random Notes from the kickstarter page:

*The headset does not NEED to be ran at 5k, 4k, or 8k, you can lower the resolution to fit your system, the 8k screen is mostly to allow a sharper picture, and an attempt to eliminate SDE.

Q: Which is the pixel density difference between 5k, 8k and 4k?
8k: 2*3840x2160 200FOV
5k: 2*2560x1440 200FOV
4k: 3840x2160 110FOV

Q: My biggest concern is the FOV stretching which was said in the Tested video.
A: There will be optimized lenses in the final product and the issue will be eliminated

*Pimax 8K VR is compatible with most of the VR content on the market, including PiHome, Steam VR, Oculus(via a third party tool) In another word, the games you love, e.g. Elite Dangerous, Star Trek Bridge, Project Car, Arizona Sunshine, The Big Screen... are all compatible with Pimax 8K.

*The FOV of Pimax 8K is around horizontally 200 degrees, and vertically 120 degrees,

*Yes. Pimax 8K is compatible with all Valve accessories.

*Yes,you can wear glasses in the headset, and we also recommend our customized perscription VR frame.

*We will ship large volume on Jan. It is possible we ship the first batch on Dec.

*Minimum specs for basic 8k (non X headset)
GPU - GTX980/1070, CPU - i5, Memory - 8GB
The headsets have hardware upscaling built in , as well as pimax has some software tricks that lower hardware requirements compared to things such as the vive and rift.

*On the non X version they upscale 4k to 8k. On the 8kX Version it is native 8k with no scaling.

*The 8kX version will need a 1080ti or higher( when volta releases)

EDIT: the 5k headset will use the CLPL same as the other headsets. It was said that the 5k version would have oled in the tested interview, but it was cleared up in the comment sections of the kickstarter that they would all use the same technology.

Also here is a short "review" from a youtuber who tried out the 5k version at IFA 2017. (keep in mind he also was using a prototype, and the final version will be much more polished according to PIMAX)
http://forum.pimaxvr.com/t/full-pimax-8k-and-5k-review/2778

update 9/23/2017:
Q: In the FAQ you quote the input resolution to be "4k upscaled to 8k", Ignoring the fact that you're ignoring vertical resolution with 8k... 4k is 3840 × 2160, so per eye that would suggest 1920x2160 or if halved 1920x1080 (1080p). Yet the 5k is suggested to have a resolution of 2650x1440, which is the resolution mentioned in the forum faq and since replaced by stating "4k" which would make the horizontal resolution not that good..(below vive/rift/ms.mr HMD's)
So what is it? Please, can you state clearly what the maximum input resolutions and Hz rate are for both the 8k and 5k hmd's?
A: Pimax 8k input: 2screen*1920*1080 or 2 screen *2560*1440 upscale output: 2 screen* 3840*1440;
Pimax 5k: input: 2screen*2560*1440 native output: 2 screen*2560*1440; and both HZ rate 90hz

Q: That really doesnt answer my question about the text. My question was is the text legible, and clear enough to use the 5k headset as a virtual desktop, comfortably?
A: 5k can be used as a virtual desktop to ensure text clarity. We have a lot of people who have tried it, and no one is uncomfortable with it.

Q: Hi, just wondering what is the weight like compared to the Vive and Rift headsets?
A: Almost the same as the oculus.

Q: Near the end of the campaign will you give the option to buy the hand tracker and the eye tracker?
A: Yes, we will.

edit:

just a few more recent reviews ive found:
 
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#2 ·
Interesting. Was reading about them and their "8K" thing few weeks ago. It's ofc not really 8K, just 2x 4K screens. Compared to their previous model, the pimax 4k this one should be an improvement - for a start decision to use lighthouse tracking should be a major gamechanger for them because previous version (which they called 4K although it was not really 4K) did not have head tracking at all other than the magnetometer.
 
#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carniflex View Post

Interesting. Was reading about them and their "8K" thing few weeks ago. It's ofc not really 8K, just 2x 4K screens. Compared to their previous model, the pimax 4k this one should be an improvement - for a start decision to use lighthouse tracking should be a major gamechanger for them because previous version (which they called 4K although it was not really 4K) did not have head tracking at all other than the magnetometer.
Yea for sure, the laser tracking, as well as TRUE 90hz displays, as well as their new display tech, should be a MASSIVE improvement. Im considering picking up the 5k one.
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by geoxile View Post

Do they use low persistence or strobed screens? Also, man I thought it was just some cheap Chinese headset. Goos to see they're actively working on improving future iterations.
The old pimax 4k headset used strobing, and the new ones use a special low persistence screen. The 5k version will have two low persistence OLED screens similar to the oculus and vive, and the 8k version has two low persistence displays. They took their first "4k" version as a "beta" product and use all the advice and feedback from the people who bought it to make this headset better. They fixed all the issues that were present in the old headset.

EDIT: the 5k headset will use the CLPL same as the other headsets. It was said that the 5k version would have oled in the tested interview, but it was cleared up in the comment sections of the kickstarter that they would all use the same technology.
 
#6 ·
The headset looks like 2 phone screens glued together
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#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by starliner View Post

I'll just wait till they make it big, get sold to a soulless corp, and all the backers get pissed they don't get any say in how the company is run.

Looks neat though
thumb.gif
I really dont understand how that pertains to this really. People who bought an oculus rift can use it on steamvr games , and so can people who buy this. I, personally could give a crap less what the company does as long as the headset is decent, and stays supported by steamvr.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by EniGma1987 View Post

Nice to eliminate screen door effect, but I hope gen 2 moves up to 120hz or 144hz screens.
the combination of their 90 hz screens, as well as their software that alternates frames between your eyes , might get pretty close, because the alternate frame rendering is supposed to smooth things out and get a boost in smoothness. we will see. its hard to tell how well it worked on the first one since it was only 60 hz, however the first pimax 4k headset DID get a lot of positive praise. only time will tell.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by drm8627 View Post

the combination of their 90 hz screens, as well as their software that alternates frames between your eyes , might get pretty close, because the alternate frame rendering is supposed to smooth things out and get a boost in smoothness. we will see. its hard to tell how well it worked on the first one since it was only 60 hz, however the first pimax 4k headset DID get a lot of positive praise. only time will tell.
If the screens are running at 90hz, you can get a 90fps into them. And then if their software alternates frames between eyes, wouldnt that mean it i barely a 45 frame per second headset? That is pretty sucky motion.

You can say you are "boosting smoothness" when cutting the frame rate down to 45 because smoothness can be described as a consistent framerate. And a higher fps might not be consistent and thus, less smooth. However a 90fps consistent frame rate would be better and even more smooth. Just beware of what their marketing department means when they claim smoothness by only displaying frames at half the refresh.
 
#13 ·
Hmm, what I didn't like about the first Primax was that it was essential a beta product. It ran 1440p up-scaled to 4K, so wasn't really a 4K VR device.

Now that the 8K X will have actual dual 4K displays via DP 1.4, I ordered it. Not shipping until May though.
redface.gif
So really means late summer.
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#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by CallsignVega View Post

Hmm, what I didn't like about the first Primax was that it was essential a beta product. It ran 1440p up-scaled to 4K, so wasn't really a 4K VR device.

Now that the 8K X will have actual dual 4K displays via DP 1.4, I ordered it. Not shipping until May though.
redface.gif
So really means late summer.
tongue.gif
may? the regular 8k headset ships in jan, and the 8kx ships in may? hadnt seeen that
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by EniGma1987 View Post

If the screens are running at 90hz, you can get a 90fps into them. And then if their software alternates frames between eyes, wouldnt that mean it i barely a 45 frame per second headset? That is pretty sucky motion.

You can say you are "boosting smoothness" when cutting the frame rate down to 45 because smoothness can be described as a consistent framerate. And a higher fps might not be consistent and thus, less smooth. However a 90fps consistent frame rate would be better and even more smooth. Just beware of what their marketing department means when they claim smoothness by only displaying frames at half the refresh.
youre right. I think that alternate frame rendering is just for people with potato rigs to get an acceptable experience, not necessarily to get the BEST experience, also that is optional, theres ways to disable it and all sorts of tweaks in software.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by drm8627 View Post

may? the regular 8k headset ships in jan, and the 8kx ships in may? hadnt seeen that
Ya and remember the regular "8K" is only taking in 1/4 the signal as dual 4K displays.

Their FAQ is kinda confusing. It says 4K up-scaled to 8K. But 8K in this sense isn't 7680×4320. It is 7680×2160.

So the actual INPUT of the "regular" 8K would be something like: 3840x1080. That's why they are saying something like a lowly GTX 980 can run it. It is essentially dual 1920x1080 signals up-scaled to dual 4K displays.

The only "real" way you could ever call it 8K is the dual native 4K signal (8K X).
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by CallsignVega View Post

Ya and remember the regular "8K" is only taking in 1/4 the signal as dual 4K displays.

Their FAQ is kinda confusing. It says 4K up-scaled to 8K. But 8K in this sense isn't 7680×4320. It is 7680×2160.

So the actual INPUT of the "regular" 8K would be something like: 3840x1080. That's why they are saying something like a lowly GTX 980 can run it. It is essentially dual 1920x1080 signals up-scaled to dual 4K displays.

The only "real" way you could ever call it 8K is the dual native 4K signal (8K X).
hmm i could have sworn that the 8k and the 8kx both had 2x4k screens, but only the 8kx could actually do native 2x4k due to the double displayport and special chip inside of it. Actually Im pretty sure thats the case.
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by drm8627 View Post

hmm i could have sworn that the 8k and the 8kx both had 2x4k screens, but only the 8kx could actually do native 2x4k due to the double displayport and special chip inside of it. Actually Im pretty sure thats the case.
That is the case. They both have identical dual 4K displays in them. BUT, the regular 8K is only fed a 3840x1080 signal and then upscaled. The 8K X is fed a 7680x2160 signal native.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by CallsignVega View Post

That is the case. They both have identical dual 4K displays in them. BUT, the regular 8K is only fed a 3840x1080 signal and then upscaled. The 8K X is fed a 7680x2160 signal native.
either way, the extra resolution, plus the extra fov, plus the lack of sde, will be nice.
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by CallsignVega View Post

Oh and that also makes the interesting fact that the 5K version will run dual 2560x1440 native OLED displays. So that means the 5K will actually take in a higher demand signal than the regular 8K version. And look better doing it!
yea im considering snagging the 5k version. just worried about sde. havent ran the numbers on how thatll look.
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by GorillaSceptre View Post

Only half of 8K.. Real 8K would be four, 4K panels.

They're doing Foveated rendering?! Now that will be interesting, way bigger news than "8K".
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yea man foveated rendering will be extremely important for those who want to run the 8kx headsets, or the regular 8k headsets with lower specs.

edit: i derped. my bad for multi post.
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by drm8627 View Post

yea man foveated rendering will be extremely important for those who want to run the 8kx headsets, or the regular 8k headsets with lower specs.

edit: i derped. my bad for multi post.
If they are really using Foveated rendering then it probably won't be that much more difficult to drive these things. Obviously I'm going to wait until they're released, but these are the first headsets i'm really interested in (the 5K with OLED in particular).

The 8K (really more like 6K) will probably be pretty comfortable to watch movies on/ may even be up to the task of being a monitor! Assuming they get the lenses up to scratch by launch.
wheee.gif
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by GorillaSceptre View Post

If they are really using Foveated rendering then it probably won't be that much more difficult to drive these things. Obviously I'm going to wait until they're released, but these are the first headsets i'm really interested in (the 5K with OLED in particular).

The 8K (really more like 6K) will probably be pretty comfortable to watch movies on/ may even be up to the task of being a monitor! Assuming they get the lenses up to scratch by launch.
wheee.gif
yea there will be an optional add on that adds in foveated rendering coming in the future. yea im stuck between the 5k and the base 8k. id really like to know how text looks and how sde is in the 5k headset. If its acceptable, i can deal with it.
 
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