Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset
Contents
Intro
Microsoft partners with Acer to further blur the boundary of AR and VR in the soon to be released Acer Windows 10 Mixed Reality Headset. The first batch of the headset is scheduled to release in August 2017, at $300 and targets developers with commercial versions believed to be available at the end of the year.
The mixed reality headset targets developers and VR/AR enthusiasts with the Windows 10 Creator Update. It literally projects your Windows apps on your wall or in the middle of thin air as you slipped on the mixed reality headset.
Features
Moving away from infrared tracking positional tracking technology that involves wall hacking or placing trackers on a crowded desk, The Acer Mixed Reality headset is built upon the evolution of Hololens inside out tracking technology.
With two front facing cameras that track head position and environment, the headset is able to achieve 6DoF positional tracking without any external trackers. This easy setup made the headset attractive to VR users who find it a burden setting up trackers.
Hardware
The Acer Mixed Reality Headset is considerably lighter than Rift and Vive and spots a simple sharp colored design. Unlike most headset with clear lens, the headset comes with an opaque lens where you can flip the visor up a clear view of your physical environment.
The headset also boasts two 2.89” HD LCD displays with 1440 x 1440 resolution per eye at 90Hz refresh rate and 95 degrees FOV. A single cable with HDMI 2.0 and USB3.0 connectors is all it takes to connect the headset to a high-performance PC. Rather than wand type controllers as in higher-end competitors, the mixed reality headset works with Xbox one controller.
Technical Specifications
Specifications
- Two high-resolution liquid crystal displays at 1440 x 1440
- 2.89” diagonal display size (x2)
- Front hinged display
- 95 degrees horizontal field of view
- Display refresh rate up to 90 Hz (native)
- Built-in audio out and microphone support through 3.5mm jack
- Single cable with HDMI 2.0 (display) and USB 3.0 (data) for connectivity
- Inside-out tracking
- 4.00m cable
System recommendations for app developers
| Operating systems | Windows 10 – Creators Update (Developer Mode enabled) |
| Processor | Desktop: Intel Desktop i7 (6+ Core) OR AMD Ryzen 7 1700 (8-Core, 16 threads) |
| Graphics GPU | AMD Radeon RX 480 (8GB) equivalent or greater | DX12 and WDDM 2.2 capable GPU |
| Graphics drivers | Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2 |
| Thermal design power | 15W or greater |
| HMD connectors | HDMI 1.4 or Display Port 1.2 for 60 Hz HMDs
HDMI 2.0 or Display Port 1.2 for 90 Hz HMDs 1x available graphics display port for HMD |
| Resolution | SVGA (800x600) |
| Bit depth | 32 bits of color per pixel |
| RAM | 16GB or greater |
| Storage | >10GB additional free space |
| USB | 1x available USB port for HMD
USB 3.0 Type-A Note: USB must supply a minimum of 900mA |
| Bluetooth | >Bluetooth 4.0 (for accessory connectivity) |
Software
The Acer Windows 10 Mixed Reality Headset requires the Windows 10 Creator Update to function.
Apps
The Acer Windows 10 Mixed Reality Headset allows basically any apps on Windows 10 Creator Update to run.
Developer
Developers who are looking to work on the Acer Windows 10 Mixed Reality Headset could check out more resources at
https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/projects/campaigns/windows-mixed-reality
Background
One of the core reasons for Microsoft to introduce the mixed reality platform is the complexity of setting up virtual reality hardware that deters the adoption for some users. Microsoft aims to simplify the process of bringing the experience of the virtual world to users in an affordable manner.
History
- October, 2016 - Microsoft announced partnership with Acer for mixed reality headset
- January, 2017, Acer Mixed Reality Headset, revealed to attendees at CES 2017
- August, 2017 :Developer Version Release Date : August 2017
References
- http://sea.pcmag.com/consumer-electronics-reviews-ratings-comparisons/15364/news/hands-on-acers-windows-10-mixed-reality-headset
- https://www.vrfocus.com/2017/04/acer-reveal-upcoming-windows-10-vr-headset/
- https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/12/acer-microsoft-vr-mixed-reality/
- https://www.cnet.com/au/products/acer-windows-mixed-reality-headset/preview/
- https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/1/14779706/microsoft-acer-windows-holographic-mixed-reality-headset
- http://www.pcworld.com/article/3194877/virtual-reality/pc-makers-will-ship-windows-10-mixed-reality-headsets-in-q4.html
- https://uploadvr.com/full-specs-revealed-hp-acer-windows-10-headsets-releasing-august/
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/acer-windows-mixed-reality-headset-developer-edition/8pb4twx13m2n
- https://www.vrheads.com/windows-mixed-reality
