Xiaomi 3D virtual reality glasses. Virtual reality glasses. The universe is so huge and diverse

The technology of the 21st century is considered to be virtual or augmented reality. The development of this industry began with the recent entry into the market of virtual reality glasses. Prototypes of such devices have existed for a very long time, but these newfangled gadgets began to be produced for the general public and on such a scale only a few years ago. And at the beginning of 2017, Xiaomi introduced its third virtual reality glasses, which function only with a smartphone, as a result of which they have a low cost and expanded capabilities for use. Next, you will find out what special Chinese engineers have prepared for their fans, and decide whether it’s worth buying Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 VR glasses at all.

Appearance and equipment of Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 VR glasses

Compared to the previous model in the line, Mi VR Play 2 has undergone significant changes in its appearance. The first thing that catches your eye is the change in shape - while the first model had rectangular contours, the new product in question has become much more streamlined, with a clearly defined oval eyepiece. The lack of a sloppy zipper for opening the smartphone case also did not go unnoticed. The changes affected the materials used to manufacture the case. The new model uses a special soft fabric “Dragon Armor”, which includes:

Thermoplastic ABS+PC.
EVA polymer rubber.
Eco-friendly and pleasant to the touch cotton.

This combination of materials, unlike the previous model, makes the glasses fit more comfortable. There are no more awkward adjustment clasps, but comfortable nylon straps instead. In places where hard plastic would bother the user, there are now moisture-absorbing foam pads, and the entire body is very harmoniously covered with cationic-coated polyester to achieve comfortable use.

Xiaomi tried to make their gadget as user-friendly as possible and, theoretically, implemented everything correctly, but, unfortunately, in some places they apparently made mistakes in the calculations, as a result of which the device turned out not as convenient as it should have been, but we’ll talk about that later . In general, Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 is simply an externally modified version of the previous generation of glasses, which has received virtually no technical updates.

Most of the shortcomings of the previous model were in appearance and, it would seem, Xiaomi did a great job to correct them, but what do we see if we look at the PlayStation VR? We see that the design of Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 was completely copied from them, no matter how regrettable it may sound. Whether this is the idea of a giant company or just an unsuccessfully chosen model for a copy of the exterior, we will never know, so there is nothing to judge here, let’s move on. The dimensions of the glasses are: 129x191x120 mm, and weight 183 grams

The dimensions are quite standard and allow you to fit a smartphone with a screen diagonal from 4.7 to 5.7 inches. The device is available in a pleasant-looking gray color. Those who have previously used virtual reality glasses may be interested in the location of the external control interfaces. And, oddly enough, the device is equipped with only one button that serves to open the compartment for the smartphone, and it is located on the top end, closer to the left side of the device.

For those who are reading a review of a gadget of this class for the first time, this may come as an unexpected turn and a little clarity should be provided here. The fact is that virtual reality glasses operating via a smartphone, where the intermediary device acts as a signal source, do not require independent hardware. All that is required from such glasses is high-quality lenses that support the screen resolution of your smartphone, and a comfortable fit on the head.

Along with the glasses themselves, the kit comes with very few extras:

strap;
Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 instructions;
remote control.

And here many, looking at the above, may be confused by the presence of a remote control in the kit. We hasten to note that glasses paired with a smartphone work through a special VR Play application, with the help of which the phone switches to 3D mode, synchronizes devices, and you can download various films and games in 360 degrees. The remote control itself is used for convenience, when the smartphone is inserted into the glasses, so as not to take it out every time, you can perform some actions using the remote control.

VR glasses Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2: review of capabilities

For those readers who still do not understand the essence and beauty of the device, we should take a short excursion into the topic. Today, at the time of the rapid development of virtual and augmented realities, as a separate direction in the gadget production industry, users have to consider buying (mainly) 2 types of devices - these are stand-alone augmented reality glasses and virtual reality glasses, which the reviewed device belongs to. .

The first belong to the class of more technologically advanced devices and, accordingly, cost much more, up to an increase in cost of several tens of times compared to glasses of the second type. And all because they allow the user to integrate some virtual elements into their surrounding world - just like in a computer game. If you are interested in this, it is better to read about these devices separately. The model we are considering refers to virtual reality glasses. They, as mentioned above, work in conjunction with a smartphone by directly integrating it into a specially designed compartment located directly in the case. What does this give the user?

The ability to watch movies with immersive and 3D effects.
The ability to play games that use 360 degree graphics.
The ability to fully watch video works shot with a 360-degree camera.

To make it clearer what happens when you watch, for example, a 360-degree video in such glasses, it is better, of course, to try it yourself in a store, since it is almost impossible to convey these sensations in words. Simply put, there is a partial integration of the viewer into the video or game. By turning their head from side to side, a character in a game or a viewer in a video will also turn, as if looking around, horizontally or vertically.

It should be remembered that their full functioning is only possible if the smartphone used in conjunction with the gadget supports VR mode. The screen is divided into two parts, respectively for each eye. In movies and games downloaded from the VR Play application, as well as in YouTube and some other applications, this function is built in from the very beginning. But with other applications, a problem may arise at the stage of synchronizing the application with a smartphone. Be sure to check the supported devices in the specifications of virtual reality glasses when choosing a model.

Technical characteristics of VR glasses Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2

The modern model of VR glasses from Xiaomi was created to achieve maximum comfort for users. Following this principle, the gadget was equipped with:

aspherical lenses;
IMAX 3D technology;
the ability to wear virtual reality glasses over regular glasses;
ventilation holes for cooling the smartphone;
automatic recognition of video format.

Going point by point, some additions should be made. Aspherical lenses are implemented here for the highest quality image transmission and to be able to integrate IMAX 3D technology. Those who have been to the cinema with similar technology must have been interested in how this technology works for the Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 VR glasses. Let us clarify that, of course, it is not the same as in a cinema - you will not feel such close contact with objects of a film, video or game. But, nevertheless, the technology implemented in the glasses contributes to the creation of a “presence effect”, as if bringing the elements of what is happening a little closer to you and slightly exaggerating some of them.

The ability to wear virtual reality glasses over regular glasses is also more of a way to popularize the manufacturer’s brand, although there are a lot of pitfalls here. The fact is that you won’t be able to wear the Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 with all the glasses, but only a few at all to make it comfortable. To do this, you need to wear small glasses, with thin temples and, preferably, slight distortion, otherwise the image transmission will be reduced.

The ventilation holes for cooling the smartphone are not well thought out here, which will be discussed in the next section. But recognizing the video format automatically is something that Xiaomi should be praised for. It’s really convenient and pleasant; you don’t need to go through the settings again to select the optimal video quality. As you can see, this model undoubtedly has advantages, but there are also a lot of disadvantages, and some features that should have been advantages actually turn out to be disadvantages.

Cons of VR glasses Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2

The first drawback that I would like to note is those very ventilation holes. So let's say, if you are the owner of a smartphone with good performance, this is not a problem. But for users whose mobile devices are subject to excessive heating, even under everyday loads, this state of affairs may be a reason to refuse to use VR glasses. When the smartphone heats up, it is difficult to spend more than 20 minutes wearing glasses, it becomes very hot, the ventilation holes cannot cope and this “virtual reality” turns into a bathhouse, in the literal sense.

As for the other disadvantages of these glasses, they include:

Inconvenient fastening system. Nylon puffs, designed to replace the inconvenient rubber ones in the previous version, only partially coped with their task. Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 does not have a third strip of straps, which used to go straight over the head and create discomfort, but instead the tightening has become more inconvenient to adjust - they press the glasses too tightly against the face, which, coupled with the second minus in the list, causes a terrible sensation.
Uncomfortable plastic nose shape. Literally, after 15 minutes of such use, especially if you have an unusual face shape, attention in itself is focused not on the film, but on the nose, eyebrows, and all those places that the glasses touch when they fit.
Inability to install smartphones with a display diagonal larger than 5.7 inches. Also, if you are the owner of a smartphone with a screen diagonal of more than 5.7 inches, Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 is not for you, but you can pay attention to other models of VR glasses from other manufacturers.
Unsightly appearance of the device when the smartphone is inserted. Due to the reduction in the size of the glasses compared to the previous model in the line, smartphones stick out very sloppily from the compartment, thereby spoiling the entire futuristic appearance of the gadget.

Image quality of Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 VR glasses

Since the glasses have been on the market for several months now, we had the opportunity to test them in practice. And the way they work in real conditions is the great advantage of this model, as a product from China. Contrary to the widespread stereotype about the quality of Chinese products, which, by the way, is no longer relevant, very good lenses are used here, giving us exactly what a device of this class is bought for, namely, a magnificent picture with rich color reproduction up to FHD ( 1920x1080) resolution. The broadcast image via Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 can be briefly described as follows:

Unlike many other competing models, there are no visible seams in the image and no distortion at the edges of the lenses.
All colors are rich and rich, ambient light does not affect the quality of the picture in any way, since the smartphone fits tightly to the glasses, and they, in turn, to the face.
There is no distortion of shapes when using IMAX 3D technology.

In general, everything is good, but there is one drawback related specifically to image quality. If you've ever seen a 360-degree panoramic photo taken on a cheap camera, you probably understand that it can be quite difficult to make out the elements. Or, if you have tried to watch a 360-degree video not in 4K quality, but in FHD, then you understand that the picture looks completely different. And the maximum resolution supported by the glasses is 1920x1080 pixels. This means that the quality of 360 video will be low and this is almost a fatal disadvantage of the Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 glasses.

Overall, if you've never experienced virtual reality, this article can give you a basic idea of what to expect and what to look for when choosing VR headsets. Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 can become either the first gadget of this class in the home, or it can replace an outdated model - for this, the model has all the necessary qualities!

The price of Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 in Russia is from 1,600 rubles. And here is a video review of the device:

Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses

A small step towards progress

Thoughtful design and masterful execution

“In times of constant improvement in consumer products, even a product priced at 100 yuan must be carefully polished.” We must maintain the pace of progress, and at the same time, pay due attention to the details of the product. Regardless of the stage of work - be it the selection of materials and design, or the technical development of a product - we are always strict about its careful development, down to the smallest detail.

New material - glasses are 30 g lighter

The complete improvement of the Xiaomi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses, including the external design, has allowed the glasses to take on a more futuristic look. Thanks to the use of a new material - polyester with a cationic coating, as well as exceptionally precise workmanship, the total weight of the glasses has been reduced to 183 g, making wearing glasses easier and more comfortable. Now the whole world can fit in your pocket - this is a small step forward.

The best of all content

Diverse, constantly updated genres and types of videos: full-length 3D, videos of concerts and competitions. IDG Arts VR, Youku VR, Whaley VR - the content of all major video portals is at your service!
Even more exclusive apps and games are waiting for you!

A huge 3D screen will provide new sensations

Now, to watch a 3D movie, you don’t need to run to the cinema - to do this, you just need to turn on the 3D mode in the Xiaomi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses. Open the Xiaomi VR APP to watch the movie - and you will be taken to the cinema. 9 different modes to choose from, a personal cinema at your service!

Improved immersion effect

Aspherical lenses with ultra-low tolerance for improved image clarity

The permissible deviation between the curvature of lenses A and B of the Xiaomi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses is less than 0.01mm (about 1/7 of the diameter of a human hair). The precision of the lenses of the glasses guarantees the clarity of the VR image and its reality.

Completely updated interface

The system-level user interface has a more “caring” display feature. A lot of different popular videos have been added, and their division has been implemented more clearly. The interface resembles the interior of a home, creating an incredibly realistic 3D environment.

Anytime, anywhere, in any mood

Who said that virtual reality glasses can only be used at home or in a hardware store? Smartphone, VR glasses - and you are ready for a spontaneous trip! Lying down, sitting, standing, in a coffee shop, office, canteen, airplane - improving a gadget involves improving its use.

Mars is actually not that far away

Expand your child's field of vision

The Xiaomi VR application has a huge number of panoramic educational films on astrology, biology and other sciences. As soon as the child puts on the glasses, Mars, the Moon and other places where we have not been will immediately be at arm's length, and the three-dimensional image will improve understanding and deepen the impressions of the knowledge gained. A small step forward - expand your child's horizons!

Each improvement consists of details

New look: Curved, futuristic body fits better to your face.
New material: Polyester with cationic coating provides comfortable wearing.
New way: opening slot for smartphone, easy insertion and removal.
New experience: soft and close fit to the face, improved immersion effect.
Xiaomi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses are a combined embodiment of industrial and handcrafted craftsmanship.
An ordinary electrical appliance, but to a greater extent - a skillfully made toy.

A small step towards progress

The best of all content

Huge 3D screen

Provides new sensations

Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses

A small step towards progress

Thoughtful design and masterful execution

New material - glasses are 30 g lighter

The best of all content

Huge 3D screen

Provides new sensations

Improved immersion effect

Aspherical lenses with ultra-low tolerance for improved image clarity

Completely updated interface

Now “interesting” is not the only selection criterion

Anytime, anywhere, in any mood

The glasses are actually very easy to use.

Mars is actually not that far away

Expand your child's field of vision

Each improvement consists of details

After the rather successful Xiaomi Mi VR Play glasses, which captivated everyone with their price and original design, Xiaomi took on a more expensive virtual reality product – the Mi VR Headset. Read the review of a virtual reality helmet from a Chinese manufacturer to see what they got out of it.

The device is provided by Xiaomi.ua

Contents of delivery

The glasses are supplied paired with a touch remote control and documentation.

Design

At first glance, it becomes clear that the Xiaomi Mi VR Headset is an almost complete copy of the Sony PlayStation VR. This is especially noticeable in the upper part.

This does not prevent the Xiaomi VR helmet from looking good - it is a nice-looking device that is made of high-quality materials. The inner part, which is in contact with the face, is covered with soft, moisture-absorbing fabric.

The remote control is somewhat similar to Apple controllers; it has two buttons and a touch panel, which also responds to clicks.

Ergonomics

Not for everyone - this is how you can briefly describe the ease of using glasses. First of all, it is very difficult to choose a focal length so that all elements in the frame are clear; the edges of the frame are almost always blurred.

Well, even if you have chosen a good position for the helmet, then the first time you turn your head, the clarity disappears. You can adjust the headband using the button on the back of the head. But now, it would seem, you’ve conveniently put on your glasses, adjusted everything, launched the content, and absolutely everything was blurry. And you will have to fight this constantly.

It is almost impossible for people who wear glasses to use the Xiaomi Mi VR Headset, this needs to be taken into account. The focal length is adjustable on two lenses at once, which is another disadvantage for people with poor vision.

The smartphone fastening mechanism, on the one hand, is implemented reliably and firmly, but on the other hand, I was constantly afraid to install it and take it back out because of the possibility of scratches near the USB port and on the top part (where the smartphone is also fixed).

Functionality

All functionality of the Xiaomi Mi VR Headset is tied to the Mi VR application, which is officially available only in Chinese, but there is a Russified version on the 4pda forum (however, this only applies to menu items, not the content itself). Programs and videos are available in Mi VR. And here’s the most interesting thing: I couldn’t launch the games. After reading many forums, I came to the conclusion that this is a global problem, which can be due to various reasons: the smartphone firmware is not what it needs, a crude application, problems on the server from where the programs are loaded, etc. I didn't manage to play it.

There are no such problems with videos - all the videos that are in the store (dancing people, nature, racing, etc.) are played back correctly. It is possible to view videos downloaded separately - this can be considered the most logical use of a virtual reality helmet from Xiaomi at the moment. There is quite enough content in different genres - from cartoons to adult films. The smoothness of the picture is not bad, for which the 9-axis gyroscope is responsible; there is no such jerky picture as on Google Cardboard.

The most interesting thing is that when used correctly (when you connect your smartphone to the USB Type-C port), the Mi VR application automatically launches. That is, you can download the classic Google Cardboard application and use applications from the Play Store, but then you will have to either hold the smartphone with your hands or secure it somehow. Xiaomi Mi5s can be inserted into a helmet without connecting to a USB port, but this way it does not hold securely and gets scratched quickly.

The editors would like to thank the online store xiaomi.ua for providing the device for review..

Site evaluation

Pros: appearance; quality of materials; touch remote control included; 9-axis gyroscope

Minuses: ergonomics; smartphone fastening mechanism; working with only one application that does not work well; only for Xiaomi smartphones with USB Type-C port; price (2222 UAH)

Conclusion: The Xiaomi Mi VR Headset virtual reality helmet turned out to be very crude and unfinished. Problems relate to almost every component: ergonomics, applications, content availability and quality, price, smartphone connection implementation. There are much fewer advantages, and they mainly relate to the design of the device, but it is also completely copied from the Sony PlayStation VR.

Xiaomi Mi VR is more than just your average mobile virtual reality headset. The question of choosing a mobile virtual reality headset still entirely depends on what kind of smartphone you use. Helmets for Samsung and some other phones have been around for a long time, and now Xiaomi owners have a device specifically for them.

The Mi VR headset (not to be confused with the cheaper Mi VR Play) works with a range of Xiaomi phones and some other smartphones. This cheaper solution offers significantly more technology than most average VR headsets. In this review, we will try to find out whether the Xiaomi helmet is really that good, or are there more suitable options in the price category up to $100?

Xiaomi Mi VR design

The Mi VR helmet is somewhat reminiscent of a mixture of Sony PlayStation VR and Samsung Gear VR. This is a full-fledged virtual reality headset, and not just a video viewer. It has its own motion sensor, without relying solely on your smartphone like many other similar Chinese gadgets. In this gadget, the smartphone was connected to the device via USB Type-C, instead of simply being located in front of the lenses of the cheaper Mi VR Play. You can quickly and easily insert your phone into the device and take it out again.

It comes with a special PS VR-style holder that makes the process of getting your phone in and out quicker, but user reviews say it's less useful than the adjustable straps that can be used to really securely mount your phone. The helmet body itself is made of good quality white plastic and a comfortable foam padding that blocks out the outside world while immersed in virtual reality. Unlike the Google Daydream helmet, the Xiaomi helmet is bulkier due to the balance straps. This configuration makes the gadget more convenient, but less portable and compact.

Xiaomi Mi VR in use

As soon as you connect your phone, it begins to act as the display of the virtual reality headset. The Mi VR Headset offers an impressive 103 degrees of field of view, significantly exceeding the 75 degrees of the cheaper Mi VR Play. Xiaomi also promises another amazing characteristic - a low response of 16ms. There's also a focus wheel on the top of the helmet, which you won't need to use very often. Another important advantage of Xiaomi Mi VR is the absence of defocus, which is often found in Samsung helmets. But the gadget also has certain disadvantages, especially when compared with the Samsung Gear VR helmet. Despite the amazing combination of a phone display and a built-in motion sensor, the Xiaomi Mi VR's picture is inferior in terms of smoothness and fresh colors to the Gear VR helmet. Despite the presence of Xiaomi's anti-vertigo technology, some users sometimes experienced moderate bouts of nausea.

Considering the price of the helmet, a good addition is the 9-axis controller included, powered by two AAA batteries. It has just two buttons—home and back—plus a click-activated trackpad that can be used as a pointer in apps, games, and on-screen menus. This idea has already been implemented by Samsung and Daydream, but in the case of Xiaomi it is only available for the Chinese market. It is not yet known when the feature will be offered to users in other countries. This helmet appeared as an accessory for China's own Mi VR platform. If you're in this country, a Gear VR-style menu will appear immediately after inserting your phone. It has a wide selection of videos and applications. All this is only available in Chinese. You can also download standard apps like Jaunt, Within, etc.

Xiaomi Mi VR Compatibility

The new Xiaomi VR virtual reality headset is not compatible with a number of smartphones, unlike the younger version Mi VR Play. It only works with smartphones from 5 to 5.7 inches with a USB Type-C port. So from Xiaomi's own line, the Xiaomi 5, 5s, 5s Plus and Note 2 are suitable. As for other phones, you won't be able to use it with an iPhone, but the OnePlus 3, and the new Galaxy from Samsung are quite suitable.

With this VR headset from Xiaomi, you get exactly what you pay for. With a PS VR-style design, access to various app stores and a controller, it's a great gadget with the usual Chinese quirks. If you have a Xiaomi phone, buy Mi VR. If you are in China, be sure to buy it. Otherwise, check out Daydream View and Samsung Gear VR.

Benefits of Mi VR

Comfort
High tech
Unusual experience

Disadvantages of Mi VR

Not compatible with Gear VR
All Mi VR features are only available in China

Xiaomi 3D virtual reality glasses. Virtual reality glasses. The universe is so huge and diverse

Appearance and equipment of Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 VR glasses

VR glasses Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2: review of capabilities

Technical characteristics of VR glasses Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2

Cons of VR glasses Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2

Image quality of Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 VR glasses

Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses

A small step towards progress

Thoughtful design and masterful execution

New material - glasses are 30 g lighter

The best of all content

A huge 3D screen will provide new sensations

Improved immersion effect

Aspherical lenses with ultra-low tolerance for improved image clarity

Completely updated interface

Anytime, anywhere, in any mood

Mars is actually not that far away

Expand your child's field of vision

Each improvement consists of details

A small step towards progress

The best of all content

Huge 3D screen

Provides new sensations

​Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses

A small step towards progress

Thoughtful design and masterful execution

New material - glasses are 30 g lighter

The best of all content

Huge 3D screen

Provides new sensations

Improved immersion effect

Aspherical lenses with ultra-low tolerance for improved image clarity

Completely updated interface

Now “interesting” is not the only selection criterion

The glasses are actually very easy to use.

Expand your child's field of vision

Each improvement consists of details

Contents of delivery

Design

Ergonomics

Functionality

Xiaomi Mi VR design

Xiaomi Mi VR in use

Xiaomi Mi VR Compatibility

Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2 virtual reality glasses