PSVR2: An Unsponsored Review

[@doh4828]

Maybe I’m fortunate, but my headset seems clean. Coming from years of experience with OLED screens though, maybe I’ve learned myself to unsee the blemishes that come with some OLED screens. I’m having a lot of fun with PSVR2

[@waleedisnowagamecatspecifi1499]

I absolutely love my PSVR2 and the games, trackikg, graphics, fidelity, and ease of use are top Notch!!!

[@AltVR_YouTube]

That's awesome

[@darynm5728]

I had a headset with the mura too, just as you describe. After coming from the Digital Foundry video about how clear the image was, I sincerely thought my product was dirty or that it had some film I needed to remove. Ended up going back to BestBuy to swap it but they were able to give me a full refund, so I just went with that. If Sony brings to VR something that really resonates with me, I’ll consider repurchasing-though Grand Turismo was cool. But as is, I’m content with just holding off until the tech matures a bit more (I also have a Quest 2 for casual VR). Thanks for the review

[@klimastermobilevideosphoto9583]

Fortunately, I don't have a problem with the screen door effect, I hardly see it. It's also nice that I have titanium labyrinths 😅

[@munton5150]

Same experience for me. Got a replacement and mura was the same. My Vive Pro has mura that is almost not even perceivable so I have a good comparison for an OLED headset. Had Sony fixed this issue, I would not have returned it. The issue is the mura is very distracting in bright scenes (not just dark ones).

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Yup. Never had any issue with my Vive Pro

[@JPWestmas]

I noticed the mura and a shimmering effect right away without having to look for it in RE8 which wasn't a good sign. I did see the reprojection distortion as I moved passed objects fast but I was able to ignore that easier, seeing it mostly in the corner of my vision mostly. When I got the headset to fit perfectly on my head, which did take some time, I can easily say that the games for the psvr2 are much sharper with better contrast than the quest 2 and its much lighter as well ime. Granted I used the BoboVR halo for the quest2 which does make it a tad heavier. So for darker games I still think I like the psVR2 better than the quest 2 even though its nice not to see that mura 'haze' in front of me when in a darker vr environment. But yeah the quest2 is more grey and washed out in comparison as someone who is pretty sensitive to small details and color changes.

[@nassifsamuel55]

I'm with you on the reprojection, I hate it, the game I keep going back to is red matter 2, sharpest game, barely notice mura for the most part, and no reprojection

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Heard a lot of great about this game, so thanks for the tip. Might consider trying

[@corey_massey]

I always find it interesting when people who generally have small channels blow up from controversy or from having controversial opinions. For example, this channel has existed for 2 years and has covered exclusively non gaming VR content. And historically the viewership of content posted to this channel is in the 3k range. That is until 3 months ago when this channel post a video discussing the PSVR2 where the viewership jumps up to 25k. This sudden surge of viewership was followed by a subsequent video on the PSVR2 which reached 21k views. Then there is a 3 month long return to normal Alternative VR content and normal viewership. Then out of nowhere this video..... I bring all of this up because the general VR community discovered about a week into the launch of the PSVR2 (the week when you released the first two videos on the subject of mura) that the default screen brightness (100%) is set too bright for the subpixel display and by lowering the screen brightness from 100% to anywhere from 50% - 70%, not only is the screen still very bright but it dramatically reduces the mura effect. Notice i did not say eliminate the mura effect as another discovery of the general VR community is that sub pixel discoloration is common in OLED panels. Now, I am unsure if you were not aware of any of this or if you are posting this video just hoping for another 20k plus views but I think alot of your 3 month review sounds like a review that might have made more sense if it were a 3 day review as so much has changed within the community since that launch week.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Sigh, this was covered in those videos. Either way, my subs/views mainly come from videos a couple of years ago, the channel isn't as alive now.

[@EyeForKnowledge.]

All the reviewers mostly say you’ll have a crystal clear image at 4K HDR. It’s just not true. The image looks blurry almost like you need glasses but I wear contacts. And while moving your head around quickly, ghosting effects are very noticeable. Managing expectations is important before purchasing this. I’m a bit let down by the image quality but blown away by the immersion. VR just isn’t there yet. It’s close but still Needs works.

[@crkvend]

I bought it at launch day and used it for about 2 hours since then. I just can’t see past the mura. Had the first headset replaced due to the controllers not working, and the mura on the second one was just as heavy, or even slightly worse. I do simracing (have a wheel rig) and bought it primarily for GT7) but not even that could win me over, cool as it was.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Yeah :(

[@RoyHoy]

The mura is probably different for each PSVR2 unit because I barely notice any mura on my PSVR2.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

@@RoyHoy It could be. Someone should take one for the team to investigate it more scientifically

[@Grandmasterjord]

@@RoyHoyI’m thinking the same because while I notice it, I don’t notice it very much and I play a plethora of different headsets. I always think “why are people complaining about something that barely exists?” So it could be on a per device basis.

[@ddoxgameplays]

How about the sweet spot? I heard that is quite small. Smaller than most headsets... Even if you've used a VR headset before, you might think the PSVR 2 looks blurry inside. That's because Sony's patented custom Fresnel lenses have a remarkably small sweet spot, which is the only place the image looks perfectly crisp. And you'll need to physically move the headset on your face to find that sweet spot.

[@Hugemanazh]

Yeah I dislike the lenses more than the mura. They are not very comfortable on your eyes and make you feel like you have bad vision because the edges of your vision are blurry

[@AltVR_YouTube]

I never had an issue there myself. Sits well and stable and it is good clarity in the sweetspot

[@AltVR_YouTube]

What is your daily driver where you do not have issue / which has better lenses?

[@dvdsbl]

How long do you have to return it? The "mura" was evident to my eyes from day one and I was surprised none of the reviews made by the experts was talking about it. I had a dead pixel too and I had the headset replaced quite quickly. I have to say that when I start focusing on the gameplay I forget about it but overall I was expecting a better picture quality and it is disappointing after we had to wait that long for a new PlayStation VR headset. My hope is that, like with the first Psvr, a new version hits the market with different screens? I am not even sure this is proper mura and not just some sort of physical filter applied within the lenses to reduce glare or screen door effect. I would be curious to try the new meta quest 3 when it will be released. Quest 2 visual quality wasn't enough for me either.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Agree, might be the anti-sde filter. I think I can't return it, probably only get a new one tbh

[@lexxyX]

@@AltVR_KZbin I am astonished that no one has tried to remove this filter film. At least the usual tinkerer. Bradley Lynch and Tyriel Wood have mentioned first this filter but never tried to remove. If it is a film and not a coating this should be possible and not too hard.

[@Thegooob95]

@@lexxyXit’s not a filter that can be removed. It needs to be calibrated

[@Gramsci89]

this is my experience with the PSVR 2 aswell. nice headset but the Mura was just too awful to enjoy it. I did play through Before Your Eyes which was incredible and unlike any other VR game I have played after that though I sold it

[@kle0774]

Same

[@yourbadday89]

waiting for a PSVR2 PC update ;)

[@xxsilverxx1063]

The mura if it is mura( like a fine net curtain) is annoying as f£_ck. How could this get past quality control? I still use my headset but its always there, i try and ignore it, but a 2023 headset should not have this glaring problem. Im just hoping Sony come up with some software fix, i feel like ive wasted a hrand on this and the console. Thankfully i have pcvr which i will use over psvr2 for multi platform titles. I just hope sony create some bangers for their headset.

[@goodvibesvr2739]

mura isn't that bad for me maybe because im still using the rift s i have a nice pc too. and when i see reviews of the mura effect it also seems to be in call of the mountain and re8 outside of those two games its out shines my rift s with twd saints and sinners. meta left me with a bad taste after the rift s plus load times seems faster than my desktop

[@viciousviolet3783]

But you literally made a video saying how to fix the Mura????

[@AltVR_YouTube]

I spoke with several lens companies on the possibility of adding a green-reflecting light that would not alter the other colors so much and which would mean I would not have to use sport glasses in it... but noone thought it was feasible. My sport glasses doesn't fit too well. Still, if I'ma play through RE8 then I'll use those glasses for sure. Might happen, not sure

[@Higgs_1989]

@@AltVR_KZbin Have you had any further updates on green-reflecting lenses for the PSR2? That would help soooo much with the mura effect

[@Gingerlion777]

I hear everyone say it looks better.. but it looks like you are looking trough a stocking.. how is that better? If I compare mine i rather play on the quest 2.. atleast it doesn’t look like im having a stocking on my head! Which breaks the immersion completely! And im not even really sensitive to stuff like that.

[@JayAverageGamer]

Your PS5 is upside-down!

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Oops

[@cera03]

Im exactly in the same boat as you. I have stopped using psvr2 because of mura and comfort, both of which could have been solved by not using oled with fresnel lenses. I still dont undestand how early reviews never mentioned mura and how there are still people claiming they have none...

[@Hugemanazh]

@@weplayvrgames you get used to it some units have it worse than others but anyone with good vision can easily notice it if they try. I’ve started to look past it but man the image would be miles sharper without mura

[@paddy1382]

They were paid, simply as that

[@kle0774]

Well I’ve sold mine I really did enjoy some of the games like twdsas but idk it just didn’t make me wanna keep playing

[@techinfusions]

Did you try other PSVR2 headsets to compare them, I do not see anything like your mura demonstration in my PSVR2 the only time I every saw some screen distortion like a blotchy patch effect it was in Resident Evil Village right at the start in the dark forest but this also vanished once I turned on the torch, the curious thing is there was an equally dark scene in Star wares tales from the Galaxies edge and there was no screen distortion at all just a pure black, and I was looking for it, so it seems that this blotchy effect in pitch black scenes was isolated to Resident Evil Village, did you not try returning your PSVR2 for a refund or a replacement when you had the chance since you were not going to use it because of this mura effect, if I saw that sort of picture distortion I would have sent it back.

[@famacc9516]

I've had 8 units personally to try and get one "without" mura and I've tried many more in my local city, about 4 of which were from people who said they do not have any mura, well their headsets did lol...

[@techinfusions]

@@famacc9516 Where exactly in Resident Evil Village is your mura video taken? I have the brightness up to 100% and I see nothing like your video unless its a very dark scene in Resident Evil Village and then if I use the torch or the scene has a little bit more light the visual aberration disappears?

[@famacc9516]

@@techinfusions this isn’t my video, I’m just another psvr2 user replying to your comment.

[@Hugemanazh]

@@famacc9516 damn if you have really put on that many headsets did you notice any other differences between them other than how bad the mura was

[@famacc9516]

@@Hugemanazh not really any significant difference, i thought either I had a bad unit or perhaps there were units with much better results etc but all the ones I’ve had and tried are all about the same. So I gave up! In terms of other differences, nothing discernible, same experience across the board for me.

[@NintenPizza]

It's worth owning just for Resident Evil Village imo, that is top tier AAA VR that you will not be able to experience on something like a Quest 3. BUT, and it's a big but. The cable makes stand up VR just awful. It's that cumbersome irritating barrier that just gets in the way and takes me out of the experience. Plus the fresnel lenses have an awful small sweet spot. It's not the 'in and out' convenient VR expereince like quest 3 will be. No matter how many great titles PSVR2 gets, it's still going to either fail or be mediocre at best in terms of sales. With it's off putting bulky front visor, the fact that's it's tethered(red flag for many), the cumbersome bulky Ring'd Controllers, terrible sweet spot, and disappointing motion persistence(0-1 is ideal for motion blur reduction, but then the image looks bleak and dim) are going to put people off.

[@RoyHoy]

Great VR headset! The OLED screen makes the games look beautiful & realistic than on my Quest 2. The mura doesn't bother me at all. One thing I dislike is the build quality. It's made out of cheap plastic that can easily break.

[@RoyHoy]

The reprojection in Horizon VR does suck. I don't know why they thought it was okay to use reprojection. It made me feel sick.

[@ozten]

I switched to Pico 4, mainly because it isn't controlled by Facebook. But now I guess I'm part of the CCP. Doh! Hardware reviews are okay, but I more enjoy your original content on experiments and philosophical views on VR.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Haha yeah... but thanks! I am by no means switching to a hardware review channel just to be clear, there are some experiments in the work but they are quite time consuming. Appreciate the feedback.

[@dragasath2730]

Just tried my friends PSVR2. The mura is absolutely horrendous. I'm happy for the people that can't see it but I'd rather keep using LCDs with shitty blacks than this.

[@davidholden5837]

Mura is there buy hardly noticeable for me definitely not the big issue that some people make it out to be.psvr 2 it a great headset

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Good for you!

[@grahamkelly8662]

I had what seems like dirt or dust on inside of lens but even worse, my psvr2 randomly stopped working. Wouldn’t scan room so I can set play space and when it did let me simply set temporary play space, often I look down at gun on waist and get pulled out of game, saying can’t track environment. Sometimes it will work but even when it does, Mura is horrible, headset is very uncomfortable, sweating, motion sickness to the worse extreme. Even after less then a few mins. It just doesn’t seem worth just the terrible motion sickness, let alone all the other crap. It’s starting to get hot here in U.K. and there’s absolutely NO way I can even attempt to put on my psvr2. I’ll simply melt away. I did contact Sony but they said because I had it for more then the 28 or 30 days, I can’t get replacement. Sony will only repair and that is not acceptable. At least for me. They gave me link for troubleshooting and if didn’t work, start up a return for repair but I didn’t even click the link because at that time my psvr2 wouldn’t respond and not only that but I really don’t want the stress of the return and possibly waiting over 1 month to get repair. I think I will contact Sony again and simply try and see if they will reconsider and either replace or refund my money. I paid £570 for psvr2 and spent about a further £150 on games and I really regret it. I’ve not used mine in about 2 weeks. Last game I played was gt7 and I was extremely let down. It doesn’t really have a single player. No carer, no championships etc, just this shorty boring cafe menu that gives you stupid tasks and license tests. Other then that, there’s nothing more for single player gamers and yes, the image is rather rubbish.

[@seriousstan11111987]

I already said it multiple time in many reviews. Unless you are simracer who wants proper VR or enthusiast, there is nothing for you in PSVR2, IF YOU HAVE GOOD PCVR SETUP. As for myself, I'm loving PSVR2, mainly playing GT7, even bought the wheel. Otherwise Red Matter 2, TWD Saints and Sinners, Resident Evil Village, Switchback VR (when they fix blurry picture later this month) comes highly recommended. Waiting for Firewall Ultra, RE4, maybe Synapse.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Firewall Ultra could be interesting

[@NintenPizza]

PSVR2 is great for sit down VR, if you get past the lousy small sweet spot and cumbersome ring'd controllers, but it's awful for stand up VR. Games like What the Bat!, Pistol Whip, Walk About Mini-Golf are a terrible fit thanks to the immersion breaking tethered cable, which makes for a sloppy messy VR experience. Still, RE: Village is so incredibly good in VR, likd mind blowingly good that It's worth buying the PSVR2 for that game alone, AND the upcoming Resident Evil 4: VR Mode, future Astro Bot Sequal and whatever else. But the Quest 3 will most likely get most of my VR time. Wireless, portable, higher resolution, no OLED mura, Pancake lenses for wide sweet spot, the smaller FOV will make the resolution look sharper/clearer, the controllers don't have rings, the AR feature is going to be incredibly fun etc etc. It's just a shame that they're using a basic LCD display. I'm worried about the black levels, and even though the new graphics chip is a bit more powerful than a PS4(yet weaker than a PS4 Pro) it won't be able to deliver graphics that are even as good as PSVR1 games, simply because it has to utilize over 2x the resolution. :P

[@seriousstan11111987]

@@NintenPizza First off. Sense controllers are freaking amazing, AMAZING when you are used to it. Just right size for my hands, very comfortable and adaptive triggers with haptic feedback adds to immersion. It took some time, but now I think it may be best VR controllers around except maybe VALVE INDEX (Haven't tried). Second, are pancake lens confirmed already? Anyhow, I kinda disagree about that it is only good for sitting. I kinda mind the cable, but not too much. It all depends on the game. Some games feel unnatural when sitting (RE8, HCOTM etc). But still most of the times you will rotate on analog even if you can do it in reality. At least we have great graphics and no input lag. And mura is really-really rare and minor inconvenience. Zero mura in GT7 (or maybe I just don't see it), single section in Red Matter 2. More or less noticable in later levels of RE8. It's really minor. Small price to pay for OLED HDR in VR, which is really fucking cool.

[@MorganLuscht-yo1zk]

Meta will remain King of VR. Thanks to its core. Oculus. So long as Carmichael doesn't share his thoughts with other companies. This will age like wine.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Lol

[@steverichard2786]

Lmao 😂 mura bla bla bla old news. Love my psvr2. Haters gonna hate.

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Indeed

[@KingEnvy9845]

Wait until ur tracking goes out every 2 seconds nomatter what you do ur really going to hate this stupid headset sony is a joke 700 dollar to look at it fail tracking a lit room garbage I'm literally sending it back for a refund....junk.....

[@AltVR_YouTube]

Heeheh... Yeah I sold mine... Cheaply as I had a dead pixel. Oh well