Screen resolution
Resolution of built-in displays in glasses equipped with such equipment — that is, models for PC / consoles, as well as standalone devices (see "Intended use").
The higher the resolution, the more smooth and detailed the “picture” is given out by glasses, all other things being equal. Thanks to the development of technology nowadays, models with Full HD (1920x1080) screens and even higher resolutions are not uncommon. On the other hand, this parameter significantly affects the cost of points. In addition, it is worth remembering that in order to fully work with high-resolution displays, you need powerful graphics capable of playing relevant content. In the case of glasses for PCs and set-top boxes, this puts forward corresponding requirements for external devices, and in standalone models you have to use advanced integrated video adapters (which affects the cost even more).
Field of view
The viewing angle provided by virtual reality glasses is the angular size of the space that falls into the user's field of view. Usually, the characteristics indicate the size of this space horizontally; however, if you need the most accurate information, this point needs to be specified separately.
The wider the viewing angle — the more the game space the user can see without turning his head, the more powerful the immersion effect and the less likely that the image will be subject to the "tunnel vision" effect. On the other hand, making the field of view too wide also does not make sense, given the characteristics of the human eye. In general, a
large viewing angle is considered to be an angle of 100° or more. On the other hand, there are models where this indicator is 30° or even less — these are, usually, specific devices (for example, drone piloting glasses and augmented reality glasses), where such characteristics are quite justified given the overall functionality.
Built-in memory
The amount of built-in storage installed in glasses.
Only independent devices are equipped with such a drive (see "Intended use") — it is used to store software firmware, as well as various additional content (applications, panoramic films, etc.). The larger the storage capacity, the more such content can be stored on the device; on the other hand, this characteristic directly affects the price. It is also worth considering that some models allow you to supplement the built-in storage with a memory card (for more details, see "Cart Reader").
For modern virtual reality glasses, the most modest volume is 16 GB — it is technically impractical to install smaller drives. In advanced models, this figure can reach 128 GB.
RAM
The amount of random access memory (RAM) installed in glasses.
This parameter is relevant only for independent devices (see "Intended use"). Theoretically, the more RAM in the gadget, the higher its power, the faster it is able to work and the better it handles with “heavy” tasks. However, in fact, this characteristic has more reference than practical value. Firstly, the capabilities of standalone glasses are also highly dependent on the processor and video adapter used. Secondly, the amount of memory is selected in such a way that the glasses are guaranteed to be able to cope with the tasks for which they were originally intended. Actually, problems can only arise with the launch of very demanding applications or resource-intensive video (for example, 4K panoramic videos); so paying attention to the amount of RAM makes sense only if you plan to use glasses for such purposes.
As for specific volumes, they in modern devices range from 2 to 4 GB.
CPU
The model of the processor installed in the glasses.
This information is indicated mainly for stand-alone devices (see "Intended use") — it is in them that the capabilities of the glasses as a whole directly depend on the processor model. And knowing the name of the chip, you can find detailed data on it and evaluate its effectiveness. At the same time, in fact, such a need arises extremely rarely: manufacturers choose processors in such a way that glasses can be used for their main purpose without any problems. So when choosing, you should pay attention to more practical parameters — display resolution, refresh rate, etc.
Proximity sensor
The presence of a
sensor in the glasses that reacts to approaching the user's face.
A similar sensor is used to automatically switch between operating and standby modes: for example, when the user takes off the glasses, the sensor turns off the built-in screens (or the phone, if it is connected to the glasses via a connector), saving battery power and equipment life, and when put on, it turns on points for full functionality.
Card reader
The presence of a card reader in the glasses — a device for reading removable memory cards.
Such equipment is found only in independent devices (see "Intended use"). The card reader allows you to install an additional amount of memory to store various data — in addition to your own points drive. At the same time, removable cards have a number of advantages: they are much cheaper than built-in storage (in terms of gigabytes of volume), and the volume of such a card can be chosen at your discretion. So a model with a small capacity, but with a card reader, can be a good alternative to glasses with a large amount of internal memory. Also note that you can purchase several memory cards and change them as needed. And card readers are available in many modern devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.), so that removable cards make it easier to store information with such devices (for example, you can record a movie on a card for viewing). On the other hand, removable memory is slower than the built-in memory, and some software functions may be limited for it — in particular, not every model of glasses allows you to install applications on the card.
USB C
The presence in the glasses of the connector type
USB-C. This is a relatively new type of USB port, which has a miniature size (slightly larger than microUSB) and a convenient double-sided design that allows you to connect the plug in either direction. It can be found in glasses for various purposes and, accordingly, provide different ways of application. So, in models for PC / consoles, this connector is used similarly to traditional USB — with the main connection, in parallel with the HDMI or DisplayPort video interface. In standalone devices, on the other hand, USB-C is mainly used to charge the battery and connect to a computer for direct file exchange, settings management, firmware updates, etc.
Also note that this paragraph may specify the USB version, which corresponds to the USB-C connector. Nowadays, two versions are relevant — 3.2 gen 1 and 3.2 gen 2; for VR glasses, the difference between them is generally not fundamental.
Microphone
The presence of
a microphone in the design of VR glasses.
This function is mainly equipped with models for PC / consoles (see "Intended use"). The built-in microphone is mainly used for voice communication in online games. At the same time, it often turns out to be more convenient than a desktop microphone or a microphone built into a headset: glasses can interfere with the comfortable wearing of a headset, and a desktop device is not applicable because at least the user’s head (or even the whole body) is constantly moving in VR games, and constantly it is impossible to be at the optimal distance from the microphone.
For added convenience, your own microphone can be made retractable or removable.
