PlayStation VR can play 2D games from Xbox One, Wii U, and PC

By Jon Martindale October 14, 2016

playstation vr cinematic 2d psvr02 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

It turns out that more than just being a powerful console virtual reality solution, the PlayStation VR might be the most versatile VR headset available. It’s capable of playing a number of solid PlayStation 4 titles in virtual reality, but it can also function in cinema mode with any generic HDMI connection, meaning it works with the Xbox One, Wii U, and Windows-based PCs.

Cinematic mode is something that the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have offered for a while now, which essentially lets you play non-VR games on a large 2D display within a virtual cinema. It’s a neat extra feature that means you can play all sorts of games with your headset on, even if they aren’t designed with VR in mind.

The PSVR headset offers the same thing for 2D PS4 games, but it goes a step further by making it possible for any content transferred over its HDMI connection to be displayed in that cinema setting. Initially discovered by a Japanese gaming blog (via Reddit, thanks Ars Technica) and has since been verified by a number of sources, people have managed to get everything from their PC, to an Xbox to a Wii U working on the PSVR headset.

Of course, the experience is rather limited compared to officially supported games and official 2D gaming with PS4 titles. With a generic HDMI source feed, you don’t have any PS4 camera support, so there is no positional tracking. There’s also no motion controller interaction possible.

Also of note is that most games will lack sound, so you must get that straight from the rendering device, be that PC, console, or phone, via a different outlet.

While some of that may be worked out with custom drivers on the PC in due course — we’re sure someone is already trying to make that a reality — what this potentially does is make the PSVR an excellent portable HD screen. If you could load up some games and movies on your phone and plug it into your PSVR headset, that’s a very immersive, relaxing environment to spend long flights or train journeys.

If anything, though, this just adds more value to a product that is already one of the most competitive on price of all VR headsets. That’s good news for Sony.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Computing Coordinator

Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…

Computing

The next big Windows 11 update has a new hardware requirement

Windows 11 device sitting on a stool.

Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update is expected to arrive with yet another hardware requirement. Centered around SSE4.2 or Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2, a crucial component for modern processors, the new Windows 11 24H2 with build 26080 will only boot on CPUs that support the instruction set.

This information comes from Bob Pony on X (previously known as Twitter), following earlier reports in February where he claimed that CPUs lacking support for the POPCNT instruction were no longer compatible with Windows 11. The updated requirement is essentially the same, except that they now mandate the entire SSE 4.2 instruction set instead of just the POPCNT instruction within it, as was previously required.

Computing

How to choose the best RAM for your PC in 2024

RAM inside the Starforge Navigator.

If you want to choose the best RAM for your PC, you'll be faced with a lot of terms that may not sound familiar at a glance. DDR? DIMM? CAS? XMP? When you just want something that goes well with the rest of your PC, having to pull out a dictionary before you shop can be pretty daunting.

Fortunately, picking RAM is fairly straightforward once you understand what you're looking for and what it means. In our RAM buying guide, we'll walk you through the process so that you can be happy with your choice.
Understanding RAM
The thing about RAM is that you don't need to fully get what each and every spec is responsible for -- not unless you want to. If you're building a barebones office PC, even sub-optimal RAM will make it run; the problem is that it won't run nearly as well as it could.

Computing

This HP laptop is discounted from $519 to $279

HP 14 laptop with intel Celeron on desk.

There are laptop deals for top-of-the-line machines, but if you only need a basic device for your day-to-day needs, don't spend more than you should by taking advantage of Walmart's offer for the HP 14-inch Laptop. Instead of $519, you'll only have to pay $279 for savings of $240. That's an extremely affordable price for a brand new laptop, but we don't think it will last long. To make sure that you don't miss out on the discount, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the transaction as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the HP 14-inch Laptop
The HP 14-inch Laptop will never be able to match up to the speed of the best laptops, which is expected because of its price. However, if you're thinking about using the device for simple tasks like browsing the internet, watching streaming shows, and typing documents, then its 13th-generation Intel Core i3-N305 processor, integrated Intel UHD Graphics, and 8GB of RAM will be enough. The laptop also ships with Windows 11 Home pre-installed in its 256GB SSD, for an operating system that will be familiar for most people.