Barebones VR to keep the kids happy

If you're expecting a high quality virtual reality (VR) experience, Lenovo AntVR is not for you. The device, which Technophile reviews this week, is pretty basic and elementary, and needs a lot of improvement, to start with.

However, given its cost, it offers decent performance, especially considering the fact that currently, there aren't many virtual reality devices out there for us to choose from.

Priced at ₹1,299, the device is compatible with the TheaterMax technology built-in to Lenovo's K4 Note and VIbe X3 smartphones. TheatreMax converts standard video content into a widescreen virtual cinematic experience.

We tested AntVR on a Vibe X3 and the widescreen experience was satisfactory especially while viewing Youtube videos on the ANTVR app and streaming content from Netflix Colours are reproduced fairly accurately. However, occasional burns and bleeds detract from the experience and clearly indicate that the lenses used in the headset have much room for improvement.

The VR glasses are fixed inside a foldable cabinet made of plastic, which gives it a lightweight feel. The device, which can be used with your reading glasses on, weighs a little over 150 grams but how it feels on your face depends on how heavy your phone actually is. We felt the full weight of our smartphone pressing down on after spending about half an hour plugged in to the headset.

Without doubt, ANTVR is not meant for a long viewing session. You have to take the device off your face at regular intervals to avoid discomfort, which is a big let down. This is a problem that any VR headset which requires a smartphone to slide-in is going to encounter and Lenovo or ANTVR will need to spend a lot more time in R&D to find a solution.

The device, which is easy to carry around, supports phone sizes starting from 4.5 inches to 6 inches. Lenovo claims the special aspherical lenses are distortion free, but when playing games one feels a fair bit of disturbance. The lenses offer a 100-degree field of view, ideal for viewing panoramic photographs and Google Earth simulations.

AntVR does not support Google's VR platform, Carbboard, by default. But as the saying goes, in the world of tech, there is a workaround for everything. So a spot of Googling will give you the requisite tweaks and QR codes that will allow your device to workwith Cardboard and the entire ecosystem of content intended for it. All you need is a lot of time and patience.

The ANTVR kit supposedly supports dual control modes – via bluetooth and earphone. But despite extensive fiddling, we ended up having to poke our fingers at the smartphone screen through the headset in order to control content.

If you are a VR puritan looking for a wholesome, seamless, spotless virtual reality experience, look elsewhere and hand the ANTVR headset to your kids.

They will love the experience, making your investment paisa vasool.