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OSVR updates continue with new Hacker Development Kit and content discovery platform

By Koh Wanzi - on 7 Sep 2015, 1:57pm

OSVR updates continue with new Hacker Development Kit and content discovery platform

Image Source: OSVR

The entire Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) platform is geared toward facilitating an open standard for VR, and it has just announced a couple of key developments to help spur development and discovery of VR content.

According to OSVR, a new version of its Hacker Development Kit (HDK) will be available soon. Pre-orders start on 1 October at US$299.99, with shipping to begin later in the month. HDK v1.3 comes with a new and improved optics and display module over v1.2.

The optics module features an expanded eyebox to enable sharper images for users with imperfect eyesight. OSVR says this removes the need for independent adjustable lenses to match users’ different interpupillary distances (IPD), but it will instead take into account individual eye focus for personalized use without glasses. In comparison, the consumer version of the Oculus Riftslated for a 2016 launch – will feature physical IPD adjustments that allow users to manually adjust the distance between the lenses to match that between their eyes.

In addition, the updated display module will have an upgraded 1080p 5.5-inch low-persistence OLED display that puts out clearer and brighter images.

Image Source: OSVR

Major software updates are also coming, in the form of OSVR Render Manager and Performance Profiler. OSVR Render Manager is intended to enable low-latency rendering on any OSVR device, and it currently supports NVIDIA’s Gameworks VR.

In a nutshell, this means additional support for features like Direct Mode, for better plug-and-play compatibility on Windows PCs, and Front Buffer Rendering, which reduces latency by enabling the GPU to render frames directly to the front buffer. Furthermore, there’s Context Priority, which essentially gives developers control over GPU scheduling to support things like asynchronous time warp, which further cuts latency and helps reduce judder.

OSVR Performance Profiler helps developers optimize application performance by identifying performance bottlenecks throughout the entire software stack. It does this by tapping into the Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) service, which allows developers to inspect and interact with applications or kenel-defined event logs in a graphical interface.

But the best hardware in the world would be useless without good content, and OSVR’s new content discovery platform will make it easier for consumers and developers to find new content. It is available now through OSVR.org, and is stocked with a growing list of curated content ranging from 360-degree media to VR games from OSVR partners, including content from sources like Steam and Razer Cortex.

The new content discovery platform features a curated selection of VR content.

Finally, OSVR also announced a much-expanded partner network. The total number now stands at 230, up from 65 at the last update. Among them are Infinity AR, an augmented reality software platform for digital eyewear, smartphones, and tablets, and Legacy Games, a publisher and developer of PC and mobile games. Just last month, OSVR also announced that Intel would be participating in its platform, working with supporters to provide access to Intel RealSense Technology in various VR and AR applications.

Source: OSVR

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