Skip to main content

Baidu-owned ‘Netflix of China’ jumps into VR with a 4K headset with 8K support

Image used with permission by copyright holder

China’s top Netflix alternative, the Baidu-owned, iQiyi, is making its own inroads into the virtual reality media business by debuting its own 4K VR headset. The device is relatively future-proof, with the developers claiming it comes with full support for 8K panoramic video. As we know from super-sampled games on already released headsets like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, even downscaled, higher-resolution content can look great.

Developed alongside Qualcomm, the new iQiyi headset builds on technology already debuted by the company at this year’s CES show. Known as the Qiyu VR II, the headset is designed to offer portable 4K media viewing in a theater-like experience. With promised 8K panoramic video support, too, the Qiyu VR II goes way beyond existing VR headsets like the Vive Pro in terms of resolution.

Considering the Vive Pro and its contemporaries are PC-powered headsets, the hardware within the ‘portable’ Qiyu headset would need to be quite powerful in order to deliver such detail, even from pre-rendered videos. VentureBeat reports that the new headset can offer 35-percent additional performance over its predecessor and will leverage a 4K LCD display, as well as three degrees of motion tracking, with an optional upgrade for positional (six-degree) tracking as well.

In terms of content for the headset, iQiyi will be able to leverage its existing library of HD and UltraHD content. With a reported audience of more than 500 million users, the Baidu-backed media company has plenty of people to sell the headset to, and the content for it.

Since the Qiyu VR II is a virtual reality headset, that opens up the door for a wider array of varied content than traditional 2D displays can offer. Alongside 4K and 8K movies and TV shows, iQiyi will offer 3D video, as well as panoramic virtual reality content and even VR games, we’re told. The amount of available content at launch is said to be around 10,000 movies, 20,000 programs with panoramic content, and several hundred 4K and 8K videos designed with VR in mind.

Although we don’t know how much the new VR headset will cost when launched, it’s possible that it could be bundled into the subscription price of the service — content will certainly be handled that way. If such a headset proves popular, it could help generate competition and encourage additional content creation in the ultra HD media space.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
Acer’s Mini LED display comes complete with 4K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate
The Acer Predator X32 FP is yet another Mini-LED monitor announced by Acer.

Acer has announced a new Mini-LED gaming display in a surprise Instagram post, according to KitGuru. The monitor packs everything you would expect into a premium gaming monitor, including a 4K resolution and a whopping 165Hz refresh rate. This is the latest in a slew of announcements the company has made about Mini-LED displays in the past few months.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXfEGRCBdgG/

Read more
What PC hardware do you need for 4K games and movies?
LG 32UD99-W review full

Whether you're watching movies, playing games, or merely working at 4K resolution, it all looks fantastic. Everything is crisp, tack-sharp, and impossibly clear. Colors are vivid and lush, blacks are as deep as the night sky. But details are not without their cost. If you’re looking to get into 4K PC gaming or movie watching, you’re in for a bit of a journey.

Getting your system up to spec for 4K isn’t as straightforward as it is for 1080p, or even 1440p. Worry not, though: We've rounded up everything you need to play 4K games and movies.
A powerful graphics card is a must

Read more
The best 4K webcams
Logitech Brio

With more people telecommuting and working remotely, investing in a quality webcam can make you stand out -- you can still look sharp for that virtual meeting. But unless you have the latest laptop, the built-in webcam won't quite cut it to leave a memorable and lasting impression.

And while many 1080p webcams deliver great results, upgrading to a 4K webcam will give you more control, like better zooming through digital cropping, smart A.I.-powered tricks, and impressive HDR image quality that will make you look good in any kind of lighting.

Read more