HP Reverb headset review: Windows Mixed Reality meets higher resolution

MIcrosoft's Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) hasn't garnered a lot of headlines in 2022 after laying a solid foundation, but Microsoft and its partners are trudging ahead. HP'due south new Reverb headset had a rocky launch and a wearisome rollout, limited availability, and reports of some early hardware issues, but that doesn't mean it's besides not i of the best head-mounted displays (HMD) yet.

I spent the terminal few weeks playing with the HP Reverb, and while it's mostly geared for professional environments, regular consumers and virtual reality (VR) users will notice a lot to like, too.

Premium WMR

HP Reverb (2019)

From $650

Lesser line: HP's Reverb headset for Windows Mixed Reality offers the highest resolution of any other headset yet along with a 90Hz refresh rate. When combined with the premium pattern and outstanding comfort, it is piece of cake to see why it's ane of our favorite HMDs for VR. However, a soft launch with limited-availability has fabricated getting one somewhat hard, and the loftier price may not be prohibitive for some.

Pros:

• Highest resolution of any WMR HMD.
• Comfortable.
• Built-in headphones, mic, Bluetooth.
• Premium build quality.

Cons:

• Difficult to notice.
• Higher cost.
• Doesn't flip upwardly.

Where HP Reverb improves Windows Mixed Reality

For the first generation of WMR headsets, Microsoft prepare the stage with a reference design for the hardware. That means almost all the original headsets from Dell, Acer, HP, and Lenovo were all the same except for a few artful choices. The one company to buck that tendency (to the chagrin of everyone else) was Samsung, who had AMOLED lenses and slightly better specs.

All-time Windows Mixed Reality Headsets of 2022

The Reverb though is a ground-up refresh of HP's original headset; it's completely new in design and features, pushing the resolution much further than anyone else. That drives the cost upwardly to $599 (with controllers), but that toll is still well below the Valve Alphabetize, which runs n of $1,000 for the unabridged kit.

The Reverb has a resolution of 2160 ten 2160 per heart for a combined resolution of 4320 10 2160 and a 90Hz refresh. Samsung'southward Odyssey+ has a lower 1,440 x one,600 pixels per side also with a 90Hz, and almost all other HMDs run i,440 x i,440 per eye often with just a 60Hz refresh. Just like a PC, the display resolution matters for clarity — especially when those screens are an inch from your eyeball.

The other significant change for HP is condolement. While the original HP WMR HMD was just OK, leaning towards better value than features, the Reverb takes some cues from the Microsoft HoloLens 2, with more attention paid to coziness. The new strap system is more reminiscent of the HTC Vive, with straps at the back and across your head for more than stability, balance, and pressure relief. HP also shaved off a few hundred grams (at present 500 grams versus 834 grams). While the Reverb is not the lightest (see Acer's first edition at 350 grams), it'southward nevertheless a pregnant shift.

If you are into VR and WMR, the HP Reverb is an easily one of your all-time headset choices.

Finally, the materials and lens pattern are all different too. There is at present Bluetooth, built-in headphones (that are removable), cloth fabric instead of plastic, and lenses that are squarer with better edge-to-border focusing. Even the connector has inverse from USB Type-A with HDMI to USB Type-A and DisplayPort (with a miniDP adapter included) due to the higher bandwidth requirement.

HP Reverb hardware and usage

Compared to all the WMR headsets available, HP easily has the well-nigh comfortable one with the best resolution, and the increased screen acuity actually matters. Combine that with a 90Hz refresh rate, and games and content in the Reverb come beyond significantly improve than other options.

There are nevertheless some downsides, even so, which is reflective of the general WMR ecosystem. Fresnel distortion artifacts (aka "God rays") all the same exist, though they are muted and well within the range of acceptability. Reverb lacks a hardware interpupillary distance (IPD) aligning, too. I had no issues with centre alignment, but people with IPD exterior the norm may find some difficulty, though you tin can use Windows 10 to make some tunings.

There is also the "issue" with the controllers, which are the same six degrees of freedom (6DoF) ones from the kickoff generation. I put effect in quotes here, because these controllers tend to accept inadequate (or non-existent) recognizability outside the headset'due south field of view. For most games, including the popular Beat Saber, users will have aught problems hither. In fact, the controllers work great for such titles. Merely any situation where the controller is not as observable volition have issues compared to total-room systems. That's a fair tradeoff, however, for the lack of room setup and lower cost of WMR. Caput tracking is besides fantabulous on the Reverb.

Comparing Windows Mixed Reality headsets from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung

The PC requirements for the HP Reverb are higher, with a recommended NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 and a laptop or PC that as well has a DisplayPort (or Mini DisplayPort). Non many laptops have such a connector compared to HDMI, which is much more common. For this review, I used a 2022 Razer Blade xv with RTX 2070 graphics carte and experienced no performance degradation. These new requirements are necessary for HP to striking that very loftier resolution found in the Reverb, which is what separates it from the competition, in a skillful manner. But those changes also mean this is not your typical budget WMR HMD.

And that is what makes the HP Reverb such an heady selection. It'due south one of the offset non-budget, higher-end headsets on the marketplace that targets professionals or enterprises instead of consumers. That determination is reflected in the 2 SKUs bachelor with one being a $650 "Pro" model with replaceable face masks versus the $600 consumer edition. Up until at present, it was merely Samsung that toyed with pushing towards a more than premium WMR experience.

HP Reverb is a must if you're into VR or WMR

Compared to all other WMR HMDs, the HP Reverb is the best. It is the most comfortable to wear, and the improved resolution and new visual acuity due to the larger "sweet spot" are welcome comeback.

HP's Reverb is the best WMR headset available.

Withal, HP appears to accept had some issues with new Reverb units that went on sale in May in the U.S. and elsewhere. Some users on Reddit have complained about poor quality control problems with some of the lenses, and reportedly HP has pulled some consumer sales. Indeed, fifty-fifty shops similar All-time Buy have "sold out" of the headset. However, HP was quoted on reddit every bit saying "Demand for the HP Reverb has greatly exceeded the estimates and greatly exceeded the supply." And so far, the company has not responded to my request for description.

I take had no bug with unit I've been using and feel that the Reverb, which hands bests some of the nigh premium commercially-available VR headsets, has been pretty crawly. It's comfortable, the image looks swell, and it'due south simply improve than annihilation else I have used. The rather thick (and heavy) data cablevision that keeps you tethered is still cumbersome, only it is not clear how to go around that limitation unless yous opt for HP'south super wild Omen Ten VR backpack. I also would not accept minded having the ability to flip up the visor temporarily to see my surroundings instead of removing the headset.

If you are a professional or are just actually into VR or WMR, the HP Reverb is an piece of cake choice. It's the well-nigh premium Mixed Reality headset, but it is still below the cost of the HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index. Perhaps the bigger question is, volition y'all employ it when the novelty wears abroad? I still find WMR fascinating and incredibly well done, only it hasn't worked its manner into my typical gaming workflow. That said, my 13-year-quondam nephew loves WMR and uses it all the time, perchance making the HP Reverb perfect for his generation, if a flake pricey.

Right at present, in that location'southward unfortunately no word on whether HP will sell the Reverb without controllers for those looking to save some money (or reuse their first-generation ones).

Premium virtual reality

HP Reverb (2019)

Super comfy, super Hd

HP's Reverb headset is designed for professional environments simply also for prosumers and addicts of WMR. The high resolution and refresh rates deliver an exciting VR feel for only slightly more than coin than the commencement-generation headsets. Comfort is also superior, as is the visual vigil due to HP's new lens organisation. Too bad the Reverb is so hard to find correct now.

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/hp-reverb-2019-review

Posted by: coleywhely1977.blogspot.com

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