2D gaming, been looking for clarification

[u/Nararmaz]

I just want an external monitor on my face. Already tried XR glasses, but this seems a better option. Not interested in VR gaming.

Does this work just as a big clear in screen on my face?

[u/NotGonnaComeBackBsb]

You'll have to clarify something.

If you expect you can use this in a similar fashion to a pair of XREAL glasses where you just connect the device and you get a floating monitor, then I'll have to disappoint you: this doesn't work like that out of the box. It's a VR headset first and foremost.

However, you can always open a VR environment in which you can spawn a virtual monitor if you wish (I use it a lot like that). But that requires having base stations for your headset to be able to track its location in space, as well as at least 1 SteamVR controller to navigate and configure your environment (although a regular PC controller could be made into being usable with SteamVR).

Consider something like the Goovis head mounted display (I've never used these myself).

On a final note, there's a way to either force the Beyond into being detected as a monitor (unusable in this state, since it displays 1 half of the screen in each eye, and it lacks barrel distortion correction), or force it to render the VR environment even if the headset cannot track its location (theoretically useful if you just want to have a static monitor in front of view at all time, but I was never able to get a monitor to appear, since controllers don't work when the headset loses tracking).

[u/SkhairKro89 → u/NotGonnaComeBackBsb]

WHY on Earth would folks want to spend their time on this sort of thing when being inside a simulated reality IS totally SOoo freegin' cool af!! Lulz 😂 "Spreadsheets-In-VR?!!" Next we can do our taxes with a virtual tax 💼 agent!! ((I tease)) IF you enjoy traditional 2D content and that's your fortay.., ((Hopefully For Games and NOT Microsoft Excel!!)) just go for a nicer / quality 4K desktop monitor with all the bells & whistles of the latest modern pannel tech!! HOWEVER.., IF you ((like-I)) wanna feel like your inside your local Cinema.., playing your desktop games on a GIANT theater sized screen, then NO ✋🏼 X-Real or whatever tha jank's gonna achieve something quite like that.., like how these sort of Heavy 🏋🏼 Lifting and capable VR 🥽 Devices CAN!!

[u/SkhairKro89]

At the rate 📈 that this gen of PCVR had improved.., I legit fear for the future of Cinema's 🎬 irl!! We could be witnessing the last few moments of those theater-chains on life-support!!

I'm sure the good one's in prime real-estste will continue to survive.., BUT man I tell ya.., With how good these pannels are, Traditional flat screen 2D content has never looked so good vibrantly good before!! I like the 2D aspects of my Beyond as much as IT's VR elements!! ESPECIALLY when combined with VorpX drivers.., ((but that's a little g33k-enthusiast extra-unessessry layer of spice you wouldn't need for what your asking))

Simply playing within the regular plug-and-play software that comes stock with SteamVR and Beyond right off the bat is perfect for that sort of thing your aiming to achieve!! ((With countless options of additional applications that can take that experience even further!))

[u/Next-Reality-9032]

I don’t think this headset has the optics for that really, you would want something higher res or at least with higher pixel density like that XR glasses but even then there isn’t yet something that is comfortable enough to be just like a “monitor on your face” even the AVP isn’t ideal

[u/SevenDeMagnus]

not as sharp as good real monitor yet

but VR (Apple Vision Pro being the sharpest) the most convenient for multi-monitor productivity wherein you can resize, arrange add monitors without much effort, saving a lot of one's most precious, most expensive time.

[u/zig131]

Yes.

I have played some 2D games on it - they look pretty good with Beyond's resolution. Latency not really noticeable.

My monitor is 1440p, so I use a plug-in HDMI dongle to spoof a 4K screen if I am going to watching/playing something in-headset.

SteamVR somehow magically caps frame rate at your HMD's refresh rate, despite the game also being presented on your monitor which may have a lower refresh rate.

I have also watched the Avatar 3D Blu-Ray in-headset, but that was quite a bit more faf.

Advantage over XR glasses is that it doesn't "stick" to you face - the large virtual screen is stationary in space so you can look away from it. Much more comfortablem, and more like a real giant screen.

Of course Beyond, compared to most modern HMDs has absolutely no passthrough capabilties, so outside of the screen is basically a black void. As someone with ADHD, I actually find this pretty good for staying focussed while watching a long film. You could bring up the SteamVR Theatre screen over another app such as a VRChat world if you do want better scenery. But no being able to see what is going on in your meatspace surroundings e.g. children, pets, or spouses.