HP Reverb: The sharp but uncomfortable one
18.7.2019
Translation: machine translated
The HP Reverb has the highest resolution of all known VR headsets. It also doesn't need any external sensors and the price isn't outrageous either. Nevertheless, I am disappointed with it.
After my time with the wireless Oculus Quest, I've become spoilt. However, the HP Reverb sounds promising even with the cable constraint. With a resolution of 2160 x 2160 per display, it has a significantly higher resolution than the HTC Vive Pro or the Oculus Quest with 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye. The Oculus Rift S is even slightly lower. Provided it has enough power, this promises visual fireworks.
Really uncomplicated setup
The HP Reverb relies on inside-out tracking and does not require any external sensors. All you need to do is connect a DisplayPort and USB cable to your PC and you're ready to go. Then start the mixed reality software in the Windows Store and complete the setup process. This takes a few minutes, during which you walk around your gaming area with the headset. It's quick and painless. If you're satisfied with the games on offer in the Windows Store, that's it.
Since most games can be found on Steam, you will also want to install SteamVR afterwards. For SteamVR to work with HP Reverb, you must first install Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR on Steam. You can then start SteamVR and perform this setup. To mark out the play area for Room Scale, you need to walk around the room in a circle with the glasses in one hand and a controller in the other. I regularly had to deal with short sensor dropouts, so I had to do the whole thing half a dozen times before I finally had my play area.
If you also want games from the Oculus Store, you will of course need the Oculus and Revive software so that you can launch the Oculus games directly from SteamVR.
Switching on and getting started is different. After all, you usually only have to do this whole process once.
In search of comfort in wearing comfort
The HP Reverb uses the same mounting system as the Oculus Quest. There are Velcro fasteners on the side and top with which you can tighten the glasses. However, the wearing comfort is pretty moderate. I just can't find a really comfortable position. The glasses either press on my forehead or my nose. If I adjust them so that they sit reasonably comfortably, the image is not perfectly sharp. I was struggling with that anyway. I don't know if it's because I can't adjust the interpupillary distance manually, but to really get the image perfectly sharp, I had to press the glasses right into my face. Not really conducive to VR, which already puts pressure on the brain anyway.
I also had problems aligning the integrated headphones. They can be freely adjusted, but even then they were still a little too high for my ears. You could also remove them and connect your own headphones. There is a plug on the back of the headset for this purpose. However, this bobbles a little annoyingly in the air and is usually in the way when putting on the glasses. The design doesn't seem really well thought out. I also don't understand why the fat PC cables are attached to the side and not the back of the head. The whole pair of glasses also looks a bit rickety.
I also had my colleagues Raphael and Kevin try out the glasses to find out whether it was just my head. Both of them are already familiar with the Oculus Quest and Rift S. Kevin couldn't get to grips with the design either, whereas Raphael found the Reverb quite comfortable. The head shape therefore seems to be more important than with other models.
Optimisation potential for the controller too
The HP Reverb comes with two motion controllers. They each require one AA battery, which are included. Several times I accidentally pulled off the battery cover on the back with the palm of my hand. Just a little bit of hand pressure was enough. It would have been better if the opening had been placed on the inside.
I found the tracking of the controllers to be as precise as with the PS VR. That's good, but not perfect. In "Beat Saber" in particular, the lightsabers regularly pointed back and forth in the air instead of straight ahead. There were also brief dropouts here and there in other games. Not a catastrophe, but still noticeable.
In addition, the vibration motor in the controllers is somewhat weak. As a result, there is sometimes a lack of satisfying feedback in games when you fire a weapon or swing a laser sword. In addition, the controllers do not have finger tracking like the Oculus Quest/Rift S or Valve's Index, which inhibits immersion.
The game test
Where the Reverb scores points is in the resolution. At 2160 x 2160 pixels, it is the sharpest of the mainstream glasses. For the test, we used the digitec Pulse III with i9-9900K and an RTX 2080Ti. But if you think this will immediately catch your eye, I have to disappoint you. The image is sharp, no question, but so is the Oculus Rift S or a Vive Pro. The difference is not as dramatic as I had hoped. The image is a tad sharper, but the result didn't really amaze me. This is probably also due to the fact that I noticed the edge of the display more than with other VR glasses. And because the Reverb simply didn't want to sit comfortably, I was never really able to enjoy it. However, the lack of aha effect is also partly due to the VR games themselves. They are usually not graphics bombs because smooth gameplay is more important. That's why I tried a few classic games with VR mode, such as Everspace. This is where the Reverb can really show off its strengths. The result looks pretty damn chic.
On the software side, Windows Mixed Reality doesn't actually make a bad trap. The navigation works and switching to SteamVR or the desktop usually takes just two clicks. But every now and then the programmes get in each other's way or don't start as they should. I would also prefer the Windows button on the controllers to open the Steam menu and not the Windows Mixed Reality menu. Instead, you have to press the analogue stick. The fact that you have to deal with multiple programmes and menus doesn't make the experience any more enjoyable.
On the other hand, the headphones sound great and sit relatively comfortably when I can adjust them to the right height.
Conclusion: not such a hot item after all
If you're already annoyed by having to install multiple launchers for your normal games on your PC, then it's best to steer clear of Windows mixed reality headsets like the HP Reverb. The only advantage the glasses have over an Oculus Rift S is the resolution - and this difference is less noticeable than I would have expected. The image is a little sharper, yes, a little. This really comes into its own primarily in games that are made for the PC and not VR. The difference is smallest in pure VR games.
In any case, the prerequisite is that you can adjust the glasses on your head so that they fit comfortably and you can see clearly. Something I struggled with until the end. Your PC also needs enough power (GTX 1080 or better) to handle the resolution.
Of two editorial colleagues, one shared my misery regarding wearing comfort and the other found them quite comfortable. One thing we all agree on is the annoying cable. "I'm always afraid I'll trip over it," says Raphael and I agree with him. It's too bulky and also misplaced on the side of the headset.
In addition, setting up Windows Mixed Reality, SteamVR and co. is more complicated. No comparison to Oculus Rift S and Quest, where you simply draw a circle on the floor with the controller and you're ready to go.
The HP Reverb is for you if you absolutely want the sharpest display, everyone else is better off with an Oculus.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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