CastAR: Oculus Rift Competitor?? - Netlinked Daily

Technical Illusions' castAR, an augmented/virtual reality headset that they've been demoing since earlier this year, is now on Kickstarter to fund a consumer version. Keys takes us through the details.

[NCIXcom]

Whoops! didn't mention - they're designed to fit over glasses.

[repawnd]

Virtual Retinal Display, I think that will be the best way of experiencing VR because the image is projected directly onto your retina, no screens to focus on.
For augmented reality the CastAR is looking good.

[jameskyler]

The castAR system differs from the likes of Oculus Rift in that in its primary function is augmented reality, rather than immersive virtual reality. It projects images onto a retroreflective projector screen. A camera also built-in to the glasses  tracks the exact position of your head so that the software can adjust the 3D perspective in real-time. The result is a holographic-like projection

[ZantarV]

Uh, well, off the top of my head: when walking around you could display directions, stores could have digital advertisements hovering outside, transit stops could have ETA times displayed; surgeons could display their patients' vital signs; you could display recipes while you're cooking; it could do everything Google Glass does; you could display sheet music or fingerings while you're playing music.

Anytime you have to divert your attention from a task to reference something you could use this.

[superdau]

castAR can do full VR with simple clip-on optics (look at their product description), so you could get it instead of an oculus.

[ShadyMorais]

Not really a competitor but it's nice to see everyone trying to push VR

[phallusaurus]

i just got my oculus dev kit and the biggest drawback is the resolution. i like the idea of projectors over screens to give a higher resolution images with no screen door. i'm keen to try this one out. all and all, i think the oculus is still very good and a lot of fun so it's nice that people are taking up VR and hopefully we see it become mainstream in the near future

[popman]

I am aware that people have used the Oculus - myself included, however what I'm saying is don't be biased and draw conclusions before you even try the CastAR, which undoubtedly looks great. If you have used both personally by all means compare away, but bear in mind both products are prototypes and 'the firsts of their kind' for the public consumer.

[superdau]

CastAR can do VR with simple clipon optics (look at their product description). Major advantage of CastAR is that it can do AR without cameras. If I see how bulky the oculus rift is compared to the castAR, I don't think there's any level of quality that will make me go for the oculus rift.

[AxiomofDiscord]

This has that feature, I like the idea of transparent images being possible so I can find my way in the real reality while playing a game. it is not like I can even see where my arms and hands are going otherwise and that might be disorientating. If for example trying to run dual joysticks on a mech simulator setup along with wheels, pedals, and multitude of buttons. It could have an advantage in some settings. Well till the common man can just sit in a wrap around pod like screen.

[GirlSocks]

It does both AR and VR, though using a different method. I can definitely see this being a competitor.

[jgreen]

The AR is the real selling point here. He's got a good point about the DnD stuff. Imagine playing some DnD with AR effects on your table top. The GM could control the effects with a tablet throughout the game. You could actually see your character casting manna missile. The possibilities are endless.

[superdau]

Again, look at their product description (they have a project page, you know?). castAR can do the "normal" VR, where you just see what's on the screen and nothing of the real world. The resolution will be 720p, which is not bad at all.

[superdau]

Why? castAR can do AR (without the need for any additional cameras that add lag) AND VR. The resolution will be 720p at 120Hz, which sounds pretty reasonable to me. FOV can be adjusted by switching out lenses (not in the kit, but possible). Seeing how bulky the Oculus Rift is, it's more like that it is no competitor for castAR.

[EC]

the OR is not so bulky compared to past HMDs (80s-90s) which were really bulky back then and it really depends on whether if you prefer AR or VR..the Oculus Rift is made for VR mainly and especially obviously so you cant even compare them, they both have their pros and cons.

[DeViLzzz]

This thing actually looks more comfortable than the OR.

[EC]

the oculus rift isnt designed for AR but for VR to make you feel youre in game, plus AR can be possible to implement on the rift using two fixed cameras, i still tend to think that the rift is the higher quality product but only time will tell.

[Skooteh]

Will this make DND even nerdier to play? Perhaps, and it will be glorious.

[popman]

not true, this is in fact meant to come in par with the Oculus Rift, which is why they are enabling VR to be used on top of the the devices AR capabilities. I was extremely excited about the Oculus' development, and arguably say that the CastAR is looking more promising so you're last statement isn't fair and totally biased. Only time will tell, from personal user experiences...

[MrMRGamer]

Any competitor to the rift is good by me.
Competition always speeds up innovation.