VR has become more mainstream than I ever imagined when I first got my hands on a prototype Oculus Rift developer kit. I know people who aren’t really into gaming but still have a Quest 2 headset (opens in new tab) for Beat Saber shenanigans (opens in new tab). For those deep into the VR landscape, you have high-tech offerings like Pimax headsets with expanded fields of view. (opens in new tab) But even with Pimax’s big trades (opens in new tab)not everyone is ready to drop that kind of money on a VR headset.
For those looking for that wide field of view on a budget, a DIY enthusiast might just have you covered. ShodaVR (opens in new tab) on Twitter (spotted by Mixed-News (opens in new tab)) has devised an effect that mimics a wider range of vision on the Vive headset. This hack looks easy and can be tried by most people with VR headsets.
All the effect requires is a series of LEDs placed inside the earpiece. These LEDs are then programmed to mimic the contour lights you see. It’s the same way ambient lighting works in conjunction with TVs and monitors, even relatively inexpensive setups like Govee Dreamlights (opens in new tab) it can make a huge difference. In a room it helps paint your surroundings with the light you would have in the world on your screen and provides a greater sense of immersion. If you’ve tried a good ambient lighting setup, you know how effective this trick can be.
Shoda has posted several videos of their hacked setups on Twitter, including a blind test by their partner (opens in new tab). Even with the current relatively simple setup it seems to leave an impression. The next steps are to do some diffusing on the headphones, as well as 3D printing an insert. Shoda is even gauging interest to see if it’s worth developing the accessory further.
Given how well it seems to work, it’s almost a mystery why headphone manufacturers haven’t implemented this kind of technology already. The extra lights on the headset might add bulk, but given that Shoda was able to power it from the Vive itself, adding relatively little in perceived weight, it’s surprising. Especially since LEDs are cheap, light and low power drawers.
It looks like Shoda has put a lot of work into this build, creating a nice clean end result that is probably better than what I could ever achieve. The execution looks pretty professional already, but perhaps more will be discovered as prototyping continues.
My “VR Ambilight” mockup is done, it feels ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE, the “Fake FOV” push is so awesome, I just need to spread out a bit better and it’s time to 3D print a fully enclosed face interface. @Thrilluwu Orion club is rocking with this one! Doing one for Index now. pic.twitter.com/p4MktC3p0hFebruary 18, 2023
Let’s hope this is as easy to apply as it looks because it sure looks cool. I’d love to put some LEDs on the Quest headset to get that extra dose of immersion while in VR. I tend to run mine through the computer so I could use screen mirroring software to check the notes. However, as Shoda notes, getting standalone Quest games would be more difficult and may be on the backburner for now.
If all goes well, this might be one of the cheapest and easiest ways to upgrade your VR headset. It may even lead to further advances. Shoda talks about cool gameplay effects that could be implemented like flashing red around the outside if you’re being attacked from behind. These will probably have to be set up on the game developer’s end of things, but if those ambient lighting LEDs take off, who knows.