Samsung hmd odyssey plus. Samsung HMD Odyssey Plus vs. HTC Vive (Comparison)

Samsung HMD Odyssey Plus vs. HTC Vive (Comparison)

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Check Today’s Price Disclosure: we may receive commissions from purchases made via our links at no additional costs to you.

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out which Virtual Reality headset is better, then I recommend the HTC Vive.

There are so many good virtual reality systems available today that it can be difficult to know which is best for you. If you’re going to drop several hundred dollars on a headset, you need to know you’re making the right choice.

It used to be that the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive was the obvious front-runners.

However, lately, some headsets have come on the scene that gives them a run for that number one spot.

One of those impressive competitors is the Samsung Odyssey Plus. It boasts higher resolution graphics and room-scale motion tracking, but can it beat out the HTC Vive? Let’s find out.

Some Things to Decide First

Everyone is unique and what you want out of your VR experience may be different from what your friend wants. This means that a headset that is great for your friend may be a terrible choice for you.

So, before you buy your virtual reality headset, there are a few things you need to consider.

What Kind of VR Experiences Do You Want?

Are you an action, diving-around-the-room kind of VR player or are you someone who wants to explore 3D 360-degree travel destinations. If you are moving around a lot in virtual reality and using your hands all around your body, external motion tracking is a must.

If you are exploring VR environments or playing cockpit-style games, then inside-out tracking should work fine for you. With the Vive and Odyssey having different kinds of tracking systems, this is important for you to know.

Do You Want to Take Your Headset Out of Your House?

External sensors can provide excellent motion tracking. However, they are typically installed in one room.

So, you need to be in that room to use your VR headset. When the motion tracking sensors are built into your headset, you can easily use it anywhere. You only need to have a computer capable of running the headset.

If you want to be able to take your headset to your friend’s house, you’re better off with a headset with the sensors built into the headset. If you only want to use your headset at home, external sensors are your better option.

Let the Battle Begin

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Check Today’s Price Disclosure: we may receive commissions from purchases made via our links at no additional costs to you.

The HTC Vive and Samsung Odyssey Plus are both high-quality VR headsets. Purchasing either will likely give you an excellent experience.

In fact, when comparing these headsets, I found many similarities. However, each has its strong points and weaknesses. So, the best headset for you depends on what you want out of your headset.

In this article, I’ll compare the key features and benefits of each headset so you can make the best decision on your purchase. These features include:

Visual Comparison

Both headsets offer the same 110-degree field of view and have OLED screens.

However, the Samsung displays are a combined resolution of 2880×1600 while the HTC Vive Headset is only 2160×1200. You would think its higher resolution would give the Odyssey a much better image, but the two headsets are surprisingly similar.

The Vive does have some screen door effect (it looks like you are looking at the image through a screen) which the Odyssey doesn’t have. Score one for the Odyssey. However, the Samsung’s image tends to be blurrier than the Vive. The Odyssey does win out, but in the end, there’s not all that much of a difference.

I also want to quickly mention the refresh rate. The HTC has a refresh rate of 90 Hz.

The Samsung has either 60 or 90 Hz, depending on your PC setup. I highly recommend going with the better PC setup (called Ultra) or the 60 Hz refresh rate can cause your video to stutter or freeze.

Winner

Samsung Odyssey Plus – The higher resolution and lack of screen door effect cause it to edge out the Vive.

Comfort

Both headsets have adjustable harnesses. The HTC harness goes both around your head and over the top while the Samsung just goes around your head. The Samsung is a bit heavier, but that extra weight it well dispersed so you won’t really notice it.

User reviews are mostly positive for the HTC’s comfort. The Odyssey has more mixed reviews.

Many people report the Odyssey being as comfortable as the Vive, but some people also say they have issues. Some report heat after prolonged use and others report discomfort on their forehead.

Winner

HTC Vive – While both tend to be comfortable, I’ve seen too many comfort issues reported by users for the Samsung to make this a tie.

Audio:

Both headsets have excellent 3D, 360-degree spatial audio. The difference is that Samsung has built-in headphones where the HTC does not.

You need to either use headphones you already own with the Vive or purchase their audio strap for an additional cost.

Winner

Samsung Odyssey Plus – I actually tend to prefer using my headphones for most VR headsets because I have very good headphones. However, the Samsung’s built-in headphones are excellent and shouldn’t disappoint, and they aren’t an extra cost.

Motion Tracking

The two headsets both offer 6-Degrees of Freedom and room-scale motion tracking.

So, your virtual experience is very immersive with both. There is a critical difference, though, in the way the systems track your motion.

The HTC Vive uses external sensors, called lighthouses, to track both your headset and your hand controllers, even your fingers. The Samsung Odyssey Plus uses cameras on your headset to track your movement and your hand controllers.

Both headsets do an excellent job of tracking, but the HTC is a little better in general.

Also, because the Odyssey’s tracks with cameras in the front of your headset, if your hands aren’t in front of you, it loses track of them. This interferes with your gameplay.

If you use virtual reality apps that don’t include using hand controllers or you play cockpit games where your hands are in front of you, the Samsung should work well for you. If you play more active games that use a lot of hand movement, the Odyssey can have problems.

Winner

HTC Vive – The Vive would win in motion tracking even without the Samsung’s hand-tracking issue. However, the hand-tracking makes HTC the clear winner for motion tracking.

Setup

The phenomenal tracking HTC offers comes at a price. You have to set up their lighthouse sensors around your gaming area. That makes setup of the Vive more complicated and time-consuming.

Winner

Samsung Odyssey Plus – Having the motion tracking built into the headset makes for a much quicker and easier setup.

Wireless

While both headsets typically tether you to your computer, the HTC Vive has an optional wireless adapter you can purchase. It isn’t the cheapest thing in the world, but losing the tether is a complete game-changer.

You won’t have to worry about tripping over the tether, hitting it with your hand, or getting too far from your computer. All this makes for a more enjoyable and immersive experience.

Winner

HTC Vive – It costs you a bit more, but at least you can get it if you want. There is no wireless option for the Odyssey.

App Library

The Vive has access to apps in both SteamVR and the Oculus Store. The Samsung has access to apps in both those stores and the Microsoft Store.

Technically, this means you have more virtual reality apps to use with the Odyssey. However, the Microsoft Store’s VR library of apps is relatively small and unimpressive. So, you aren’t missing out on much.

Winner

Tie – I know I said the Odyssey has access to more apps since you can use the Microsoft Store. I just don’t think those apps add much, if any, value to the enormous library of much better apps on Steam and Oculus.

Hand Controllers

Both the Vive and Odyssey have wand-style hand controllers with ergonomic controls and motion tracking.

The Vives controllers are a little heavier. Some people think lighter is better while others think having something a little heavier feels more immersive when playing games with swords or guns, which would have weight.

How intuitive the controls of either system’s controllers are is a subjective choice. Some people like the HTC controllers better and others liking the Samsung. Neither rise up to the gold-standard of the Oculus Rift controllers, but both are good.

Winner

Tie – I know I said the Odyssey has access to more apps since you can use the Microsoft Store. I just don’t think those apps add much, if any, value to the enormous library of much better apps on Steam and Oculus.

Computer Requirements

Being a Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headset, Samsung has two sets of computer specs.

One gives you the base VR experience and the other gives the ultra experience. Not only is the Ultra better, but due to the refresh rate (discussed above), I think it’s necessary. So, I’m comparing the requirements for Ultra.

The two headsets have nearly identical computer requirements (listed below). Both require a decent gaming computer, though nothing too crazy. However, there are a few differences. Specifically, the Samsung requires more RAM and a specific slot for your graphics card. The graphics card slot is important. Even if you have a graphics card that meets the requirements, you may have to upgrade your motherboard.

Also, know that with WMR headsets, like the Odyssey, feature updates only come included with OS updates. So, you have to put your entire OS into a beta state to get the most recent features. This may cause issues in other areas of your computer usage.

• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480, equivalent or better
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350, equivalent or better
• RAM: 4 GB or more
• Output: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 or newer
• USB: 1x USB 2.0 or better port
• OS: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or later
• CPU: Intel®Core™ i5 4590 (4th generation desktop), quad-core or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.4 GHz, quad-core or better
• RAM: 8 GB DDR3 or better.
• Storage: 10GB
• GPUs: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 470/570 or greater (Note: GPU Must be hosted in a PCIe 3.0 x4 Link slot.)
• Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2.
• Output: HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2, External or integrated VGA (800×600) monitor
• USB 1x USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
• OS: Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or later

Winner

HTC Vive – Both headsets have very similar requirements. However, the Samsung’s specific GPU slot requirement and tie-in to Windows updates give the Vive the advantage.

Conclusion

As you get ready to buy a VR headset, it’s essential you choose the virtual reality system that works best for you. You don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars to find out you could have had something better.

So, which is better the HTC Vive or the Samsung Odyssey Plus?

Overall Winner

For my money, the HTC Vive is the better overall VR system. The motion tracking is second to none, and that is key to your virtual experience. The Samsung may have slightly better graphics, but the graphics quality of the Vive is still excellent. Also, the option to go wireless is a literal game-changer. I believe the HTC delivers the more immersive experience and that’s what VR is all about.

That said, if you are playing games that don’t require your hands to go out of sight and you don’t want to spend the money on the HTC’s wireless option, the Samsung is probably the better option for you…and it saves you a little money.

If you want unparalleled tracking and awesome graphics, check out the new HTC Vive Pro. It delivers the best of both worlds.

Samsung hmd odyssey plus

Home » Virtual Reality (VR) » Samsung Hmd Odyssey vs Samsung Hmd Odyssey: Which Mixed Reality Headset is Better?

The virtual reality system niche has gained momentum since the release of the Oculus Rift. Nowadays, consumers can choose from a wide variety of VR systems according to their needs and preference. Now, even Samsung is dabbling with the VR system market.

As today, we are going to talk about Samsung’s entry to the VR market with its HMD Odyssey and HMD Odyssey. Let’s see how they stack up against each other.

Similarities between Samsung HMD Odyssey and HMD Odyssey

Windows Mixed Reality

While HTC, Valve, and Oculus dominate the VR space, Microsoft is also trying to penetrate the VR market. The Windows Mixed Reality is Microsoft’s entry to the booming VR community. As the name implies, it is a combination of both virtual reality and augmented reality. Samsung chose to partner with Microsoft with both the HMD Odyssey and Odyssey. The tracking technology used in both the Odyssey and Odyssey is similar to the HTC Vive Cosmos and Oculus Rift S. Both use the inside-out tracking system which does not require any base stations to be installed across the room. Instead, tracking is mainly done by the cameras located on the front of the headsets.

Display

Samsung is a known manufacturer of great AMOLED panels. They use it almost everywhere, from their smartphones to their laptops. Now, they are using this amazing panel technology with both the Odyssey and Odyssey. AMOLED panels produce very vibrant colors and their high contrast is unmatched by any panel technology. It is great to see Samsung AMOLED panels used in other devices such as these head-mounted displays. AMOLED has its drawbacks, however. We will discuss it more later.

Audio and Interface

Samsung has a partnership with AKG audio. They exclusively partner with them to bring great audio to their consumer products. Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones used to come with a pair of AKG earphones. Now, AKG’s audio technology is seen with Samsung’s latest Galaxy Buds Live. This is also apparent with both the HMD Odyssey and Odyssey which have AKG headphones built-in. Its unremovable nature is one disadvantage of this pair of headphones, however. Overall, it still brings a pleasant audio experience.

Differences between Samsung HMD Odyssey and HMD Odyssey

Build and Design

You won’t quickly notice the difference between the Odyssey and Odyssey when you glance at it. They have very similar designs and builds. Let’s take a closer look at where they differ.

Samsung HMD Odyssey

The HMD Odyssey is Samsung’s first take on the VR headset. Of course, it is not as fully-baked as the Valve Index or Oculus Rift. There are a lot of shortcomings with the first Odyssey head-mounted display. One striking example of this is light leaking. Unlike other VR headset, you first notice how the excess light around you goes into the headset itself. over, the comfort is said to be suboptimal as the padding that Samsung used is uncomfortable. Overall, it is still a great first try by Samsung.

The Samsung Odyssey is nearly identical to the Odyssey with some improvements. The first thing Samsung fixed with the Odyssey is the rubber flaps on the nose region. In consequence, the light bleeding effect that plagued the original Odyssey is not noticeable anymore. Headset padding is another part that Samsung improved upon. Samsung used a new set of foam that promises more airflow and reduced fogging. over, the foam is now removable. Therefore, you can now replace or wash them. The inside width of the headset has also been increased to accommodate more people with glasses. Although there is an increase in dimension, the Odyssey is surprisingly lighter at 1.31 pounds without its cables.

The Winner Is- Samsung HMD Odyssey

Screen Door Effect

Samsung is already a master of making amazing AMOLED panels. While AMOLED panels are great due to its vivid colors and high contrast, it suffers from what enthusiasts call the ‘screen door effect’ or SDE for short.

Due to the nature of AMOLED panels, there are spaces in-between subpixels that do not light up. Thus, it gives a grid or screen door effect. The Samsung HMD Odyssey does a great job of reducing this effect due to its high combined resolution of 2880 x 1600 pixels. While the HMD Odyssey has a high pixel density of 616 PPI, the screen door effect is still noticeable.

The Odyssey also has an AMOLED panel. Therefore, it should also suffer from the screen door effect, right? Well, that is not exactly the case. Samsung placed a diffuser over the display to make subpixels indistinguishable making the space between pixels also unseeable. Thus, reducing the screen door effect. Samsung calls this technology as the anti-SDE display. This diffuser also tricks your eyes to perceive the screen at a higher PPI of 1233 PPI, instead of 616 PPI. One downside of using a diffuser is reduced clarity. Since diffusers essentially blur out the screen, the image you see through the headsets are softer. If you are not a fan of the screen door effect, then the Samsung HMD Odyssey is for you.

The Winner Is- Samsung HMD Odyssey

Value for Money

Time and time again tell us that all purchase decisions boil down to one important thing: its price.

Expectedly, the Samsung HMD Odyssey has a lower price. For its slightly inferior display, ergonomics, and comfort, it is not surprising that it is cheaper. One question still stands. Does it bring more value for the money than the Odyssey? Well, that’s a yes and a no. First, it is yes because it brings a lot of value for the money and it will introduce you to the world of virtual reality. Also, it is not because of the occasional sale that the better Odyssey has that cuts its price by almost half.

The Samsung HMD Odyssey is indeed more expensive. In my honest opinion, its higher price is still just as it brings improvements that you will find convenient in the long run. The value that the Odyssey offers can be seen more when it goes on sale. Sometimes, some deals slash the Odyssey Plus’ price up to half of its retail price. If you see deals like that, do not hesitate to grab one for yourself. I give this one to the Odyssey due to this.

The Winner Is- Samsung HMD Odyssey

Pros and Cons

Samsung HMD Odyssey Pros:

• Mixed Reality System
• Dual 3.5” AMOLED
• 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye (2880 x 1600 pixels combined)
• Multiple refresh rate (60 / 90 Hertz)
• 110 degrees field of view
• Built-in AKG headphones
• Interpupillary distance adjustment
• Better inside-out tracking than other headsets
• Compatible with SteamVR
• Tracking is great for an inside-out device
• Cheaper
• Refresh rate could be higher
• Still has a noticeable screen door effect
• Fewer ergonomics and comfort

Samsung HMD Odyssey Pros:

• Mixed Reality System
• Dual 3.5” AMOLED
• 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye (2880 x 1600 pixels combined)
• Multiple refresh rate (60 / 90 Hertz)
• 110 degrees field of view
• Built-in AKG headphones
• Interpupillary distance adjustment
• Better inside-out tracking than other headsets
• Compatible with SteamVR
• Better ergonomics and design
• Removable face pads
• value for the money
• Reduced screen door effect
• Tracking is great for an inside-out device

Final Verdict

Although the improvements on the HMD Odyssey are minimal, they are still improvements nonetheless. If Samsung keeps improving its HMD, Samsung may dominate the VR space too. Between the Odyssey and Odyssey, it is obvious that the plus version is better. It has a superior anti-SDE display and a better overall feel. But those features come at a high price as well. However, if you can find a Samsung HMD Odyssey at around 400 or less, it is a great deal and you should get it immediately. Otherwise, the HMD Odyssey is a great alternative too.

Samsung hmd odyssey plus

If you want to know, whether a VR headset can be an option for you or not, then this article will tell you about the Best Windows Mixed Reality VR Headset, i.e. Samsung Odyssey Plus.

Samsung is known as one of the largest manufacturers of smartphones and technology, however, do not underestimate the contribution of this giant company to the development of virtual reality.

Samsung Odyssey Plus Specifications

• 3K anti-sde AMOLED display (2880×1600) with wide 110O field of view
• Direct Full Array Backlight 4X: Concentrated Zones of Precision-Controlled LEDs Auto-Adjust
• Contrast Between Pure Whites and Ultra-Deep Blacks, Revealing Hidden Details in Even the Darkest Scenes
• Access to Windows mr store and steamer libraries for thousands of games experiences
• Premium, built-in AKG headphones w/360O spatial 3D Sound and Mic
• Adjustable headband, now 10% lighter with improved comfortable materials
• Get 2 free months of Infinity subscription and gain unlimited access to hundreds of VR games and apps.

Samsung HMD Odyssey Windows Mixed Reality Headset Features

The Samsung Odyssey is the successor to the original Odyssey.

The main improvement is the new display, It will Immerse you in its stunningly crisp dual-AMOLED display, perfectly combined by rich and dynamic AKG-360 degree Spatial Sound.

You will need to Just plug it and boom, it is easy to set up in minutes, once it is ready, you will jump directly into the experience you never felt before with intuitive controls supporting 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF).

Samsung Odyssey plus VR head set is so lightweight and comfortable, even you can forget you are wearing it, so, you can play as long as you want.

The StreamVR library allows you to try out Windows mixed reality experiences adventures on the Microsoft Store.

The Samsung HMD Odyssey, let you drop into virtual worlds and battlegrounds created by Windows Mixed Reality (WMR)

You can talk to friends, surrounded by vivid outstanding graphics with 360-degree spatial Sound.

The Samsung Odyssey Plus comes with a pair of controllers with track-pads, triggers, knobs and buttons.

There is a 4-meter cable for connection, compatible with USB 3 and HDMI.

For convenience, there are wrist loops. Each of the controllers is powered by two AA batteries, which are also in the box.

The plastic body of the headset is not very durable, however, the accessories are convenient and I you can use with pleasure.

Design and Construction of Samsung HMD Odyssey Plus

Samsung has modified the original Odyssey, slightly reducing the weight of the device, the weight of the Odyssey Plus is only 590 g.

The manufacturer have also improved ergonomics. We have dual lenses in front of AMOLED screens and built-in headphones on each side. But, even with these improvements, these are not the lightest HMDs.

Headset diameter, lens distance and headphone height are conveniently adjusted to fit your head.

Caution! Even though the Samsung Odyssey Plus is lighter, it will turn out to be heavy after prolonged use and you may feel headache. You should use a virtual reality headset for no longer than 1.5 hours. Even if you have poor eyesight and wear glasses, this will not be a problem.

Unlike other glasses that support Windows Mixed Reality augmented reality, there is no flip-up visor. Instead, you can use the flashlight function to see the world around you through your headset. It’s not that convenient.

Outside, Samsung Odyssey looks very attractive, even the classically plastic is black and smooth.

Virtual Reality Glasses Odyssey displays have always been a strong point of Samsung headsets. The main advantage of the Samsung Odyssey Plus is the dual AMOLED panels with a resolution of 1440 x 1600.

There is an important feature, Samsung calls it Anti-Screen Door Effect (Anti-SDE), it allows you to get rid of the mesh door effect and make the image as clear as possible.

The distance between pixels was also reduced by almost 50%. The actual resolution has now grown to 1233ppi.

In terms of numbers, the Odyssey Plus is the best image you can get on a VR headset. Samsung is truly the leader in imaging.

A security camera on the inside of the Samsung Odyssey Plus headset gives us 6-degrees of freedom, and the headset has a built-in Bluetooth module for a reliable wireless connection.

The controllers are pre-paired, so it is extremely rare for you to experience tracking errors in games. However, there are also limitations. Odyssey Plus controllers are not suitable for large rooms.

Windows Mixed Reality Augmented Reality platform has come a long way and is gaining interest due to its integration with SteamVR.

Sound in Samsung Odyssey Plus boasts very high-quality for a truly immersive experience with a built-in microphone for voice chats.

To set up the tracking area in Samsung Odyssey. simply walk around the room with your headset.

The Samsung Odyssey Plus Requirements

The main limitation will be the cables and furniture in the room. To run Windows Mixed Reality, you need a decent-sized computer with a good graphics card. You can check compatibility on the Microsoft website. There are recommendations for the gland.

Should you buy Windows Mixed Reality VR Headset Samsung Odyssey Plus?

Samsung is a very well-known brand, but a dark horse in the virtual reality world.

So far, Windows mixed reality (WMR) users are still a little tricked. Nonetheless, the Samsung Odyssey Plus offers fantastic visual and audio capabilities, making it the preferred choice of VR glasses headsets on the market.

The Odyssey Plus headset from Samsung, although expensive, but, the best in ergonomics and has high tracking accuracy, which is important for virtual reality.

If you are looking for the best PC-connected VR and AR headset, then this Samsung Odyssey should definitely your option.

What is Virtual Reality and How Does it Work?

In recent years, virtual reality has been at the center of all attention linked to new technologies, like, mobiles, video games and other applications, but how does this technology work? How can users feel immersed in a virtual world using a simple headset?

Before you can understand how virtual reality work? back on what the reality means is, “the reality is an interpretation of the brain of the universe in which we find ourselves”

Our eyes pick up light signals from this universe (it is the reflection of light on objects whose scientific name is “optical reflection”) which they send to the brain in the form of electrical signals, which makes us capable to interpret and recreate an image. It is our perception of reality.

“Virtual” is something fictitious, generated by a computer, a console or a smartphone. These digital terminals therefore send data that allows virtual reality media (headsets, smartphone screens, etc.) to interpret and display them in order to generate a visual of this universe.

The virtual reality (VR) ultimately seeks to deceive our senses to offer us a fictitious reality, digital and intangible.

How does Virtual Reality (VR) manage to create the perfect immersion?

Quite simply, by coupling the perception of reality described above to the advanced technologies of virtual reality display media.

Indeed, between classic TV or computer screens and the screens that equip virtual reality headsets. there are several differences.

• The lenses of the headsets amplify the image
• VR screens have greater finesse and fluidity
• VR headsets cover our entire field of vision
• They take into account the movements of our head, sometimes of our body
• The majority of VR headsets have an additional sound immersion
• RV accessories also allow you to simulate precise interactions using motion sensors of the arms, hands and fingers with gloves, called “data gloves” or controllers

Interestingly ,The virtual reality user has no attachment to the “reality” in actual that surrounds him, apart from physical contact, but these VR screens meant to design to immerse people in completely different world, and that is VIRTUAL REALITY!

We hope you like our article about The Samsung Odyssey and how Virtual Reality works, please share this content with your family and friends.

Samsung HMD Odyssey vs. Oculus Rift S: Which headset should you buy?

The Samsung HMD Odyssey is a high-end Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headset with premium specs. Its AMOLED display offers excellent contrast as well as high field-of-view (FOV), 90Hz refresh rate, and manual interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustments. However, its motion controllers are inferior to Oculus Touch, and you don’t get access to Oculus exclusive titles.

For

• Higher 90Hz refresh rate
• Higher 110-degree FOV
• Higher resolution display
• Manual IPD adjustments
• Easy setup

Against

Oculus PC VR

The Oculus Rift S is the latest PC VR from Oculus, bringing inside-out tracking and updated Touch controllers. Its LCD display is a bit lower resolution than the Odyssey, as is the refresh rate and FOV. However, it still puts out a good VR experience with solid tracking thanks to five built-in sensors. You also get native access to Oculus exclusive titles, of which there are plenty.

For

• Access to Oculus exclusives
• Five built-in tracking sensors
• Oculus Touch controllers are great
• Lenses offer great clarity

Against

• Lower resolution, FOV, and refresh rate
• No manual IPD adjustment
• Audio not as good

Samsung HMD Odyssey vs. Oculus Rift S tech specs

Display

One of the biggest draws to the Samsung HMD Odyssey is the stellar set of displays. Compared to the Rift S, you get a higher resolution, more pixels per inch (PPI), and almost no SDE for a clear image. The Rift S isn’t a slouch, delivering a slightly lower 90-degree FOV and a maximum 80Hz refresh rate. That’s lower than the 110-degree FOV and 90Hz refresh rate in the Odyssey, but still relatively good specs.

If you’re interested in a VR headset with the best picture possible, the Odyssey no doubt makes more sense than the Rift S. Oculus improved the display in the Rift S quite a bit over the Rift, but it just doesn’t quite match up in raw specs. The AMOLED displays in the Samsung headset are going to give you way better contrast and color. However, the Rift S lenses do offer more clarity when not looking directly at the display.

There’s also the matter of the Rift S not having the ability to make physical IPD adjustments. If the space between your eyes doesn’t fit a common measurement that can be accounted for with software, there’s a higher chance you’ll experience discomfort during extended play sessions. The Odyssey, on the other hand, allows for physical IPD adjustments, thus fitting more people more comfortably.

Design and features

The Oculus Rift S has a halo headband that holds the display in place, with an adjustable dial on the back. The display portion hangs more down over your face than it is strapped in, allowing for a more comfortable feel. Built into the side straps are headphones with spatial audio. They allow a user to experience some pretty impressive audio while not missing out on what’s going on around them. The Odyssey, with a similar halo Band with a dial on the back, uses AKG headphones that hang down off the sides. Audio quality is excellent and a lot closer to what you’d get with a separator pair of headphones.

Both headsets offer sufficient room for wearing prescription frames, and both generally remain comfortable even when worn for an hour or two. The Odyssey is slightly more massive than the Rift S, but not enough that it makes a significant difference.

The Rift S made the jump to using built-in sensors instead of external sensors. Five cameras on the HMD make up Oculus Insight, and it works by scanning the room and combining the data it finds with other internal sensors. The Odyssey has a similar inside-out tracking system with no need for external sensors, though the HMD has just two cameras. Tracking isn’t quite as good, especially when the controllers are moved behind or above your head, but still good enough that you can enjoy frenetic games with plenty of movement.

VR experience

Oculus has grown its audience thanks to a generous selection of exclusive Rift S titles in the Oculus Store, as well as access to the SteamVR library. If you want to play games (without third-party workarounds) like Robo Recall, Stormland, Lone Echo, and Echo Combat, you’ll want to go with the Rift S. The Odyssey, with titles in the Microsoft Store and with SteamVR integration, does have its fair share of excellent games, but there just isn’t quite the same selection of native AAA content.

When it comes to setup, the Odyssey and Rift S are both quite easy. All you have to do is install some software, plug in the headset, and connect the included motion controllers. Tracking is handled by cameras in the headset, so you don’t need to configure any extra hardware. Note that the Odyssey uses HDMI and USB-A to connect, while the Rift S uses DisplayPort and USB-A. Neither HMD has a wireless solution, and you will be tethered to a PC while in use. If you are looking for a wireless VR headset, something like the Oculus Quest is a stellar option. And you can always extend your Rift S cable on the cheap.

Motion controllers are a big part of the overall VR experience, and there the Rift S is a clear winner. Oculus Touch controllers are more comfortable, they track better, and they have capacitive touch for more natural input. The motion controllers that come with the Odyssey are a bit different than the standard WMR controllers, but they just don’t compare to what Oculus has cooked up.

When it comes to PC hardware for running VR, the better the system is, the better your experience will be. Individual games will have their own recommended hardware to run optimally, but both VR headsets also have some listed specs. Oculus recommends a PC with NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon R9 480 graphics card (GPU) as recommended specs, as well as a 4th Gen Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X processor (CPU) and 8GB of RAM.

WMR has two performance tiers. If you want the Ultra performance tier with 90Hz refresh rate and passthrough cameras, you’ll want at least a 4th Gen Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 470/570 GPU. For the base WMR tier, you’re looking at a 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U (for its integrated graphics) or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA MX150, NVIDIA GTX 1050, NVIDIA 965M, AMD Radeon RX 460/560 dedicated GPU. It will also run on integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 or better. As mentioned, these are just jumping-off points, and better hardware will only improve your VR experience.

Samsung’s Odyssey is the best way to get into Windows Mixed Reality

The Samsung HMD Odyssey is a great way to get started in WMR. It’s a high-quality headset with beautiful displays, comfortable build, and great audio. You might not have native access to a bunch of Oculus exclusives, and the motion controllers aren’t as good, but otherwise, this is an excellent pick for just about anyone.

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