Headsets

VR headsets, also know as head-mounted displays (HMDs) are available in three types:

Tethered Headsets

Standalone Headsets (including smart glasses)

Smartphone Headsets

See also More info on VR Headsets below.

• Tethered headsets are attached to a computer or gaming console, either physically with a cord or wirelessly
• They have more processing power, meaning clearer graphics and better response to user's movements
• Work in tandem with handheld controllers that allow users to interact with the VR environment

For more information about access to headsets, or VR applications via Steam or Oculus, contact xr-support-enquiries@qut.edu.au or call 3138 3131.

Best for: virtual reality content and apps. Can also be used for: 360 video

• These are all-in-one devices that don't need a computer or console to run
• Without the processing power of a gaming console or computer, their graphics might not be as crisp or quick as in tethered headsets, but the technology is rapidly improving
• These headsets also tend to come with handheld controllers for interaction

Image: VR Game The Climb: Oculus Rift mit Touch by Marco Verch is licensed under CC BY 2.0

For more information about access to headsets, or VR applications via Steam or Oculus, contact xr-support-enquiries@qut.edu.au or call 3138 3131.

Best for: virtual reality content and apps. Can also be used for: 360 video

Smart glasses for Augmented or Mixed Reality

• Smart glasses are another type of standalone device, that allow users to see their physical environment with digital information and augmentations overlaid on top
• Some smart glasses use external controllers (eg a remote control, or smart watch) and others are controlled with voice commands and user gestures

Image: Using a VR headset, by Jisc and Matt Lincoln, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

If you are interested in using Augmented or Mixed Reality for research or teaching, contact xr-support-enquiries@qut.edu.au or call 3138 3131.

Best for: AR and MR content and apps.

• These headsets are essentially a head-mounted container for a smartphone, often with lenses to improve the viewing experience. Content is delivered via apps on the smartphone and the smartphone's screen
• Goggles generally don't use controllers. The user is moved through a pre-recorded experience and can look around in all directions, but not interact

Image: Excerpt from video Students using Merge VR Goggles by Ellen Thompson, is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

Available at QUT Library: 

• The Library has two class sets and two individual borrowable sets of Voxkin VR glasses.
  • Borrow the class set of Voxkin headsets
  • Borrow an individual Voxkin headset
• We have two class sets of Merge VR goggles.
  • Borrow a class set of Merge VR Goggles

Best for: 360 video. Can be used for some AR content.

To discover more headsets and VR accessories, visit GadgetFlow.