Tag: Prototypes

Following the announcement of Pimax’s upcoming Dream Air headset, the VR community was eager for more details. We reached out to the company to address common questions, provide insights into prototypes, share specifications, and give updates on upcoming products. Pimax, a well-established VR headset manufacturer, has faced criticism in the past for issues such as product quality, release delays, and a frequent focus on new products over fulfilling existing promises. The recent reveal of the compact Dream Air headset reignited these concerns, leading many to question how Pimax plans to address these issues. We spoke directly with the company to get answers to some of the most pressing questions. Here's what we learned, including details on Dream Air prototypes, specs, and updates on other upcoming releases. Q: How confident is Pimax about delivering the Dream Air in significant quantities by May 2025? A: Pimax has been working on the Crystal Super micro-OLED and Dream Air for over a year, with both headsets sharing the same optical engine. The company has made significant progress and believes that the remaining time until May is sufficient to complete the project, similar to the timeline for the Crystal Super's development over the past year. The main challenge lies in sourcing micro-OLED panels and ringless controllers. Pimax aims to ship 200 to 300 headsets in May and is confident in meeting this target. Q: Why was the Dream Air announced so soon after the Super, and why are pre-orders already open? A: The announcement was made early to ensure that customers had the opportunity to choose between the Super and Dream Air headsets. Due to the scarcity of micro-OLED panels, pre-orders were opened to gauge demand and secure panel orders for the Dream Air's production. Pimax acknowledges the industry-wide panel supply issue and assures customers that pre-orders are refundable before shipping. Q: What is Pimax's response to suggestions that the company should focus on fewer products? A: Pimax aims to offer a diverse range of VR headsets to cater to various user needs. While the company acknowledges past mistakes, it believes that a multi-SKU approach allows for greater innovation and resource allocation. By sharing core technology across headsets, Pimax can optimize development efforts and better manage production resources. Q: Are there more headsets in the pipeline from Pimax? A: Pimax plans to update existing models but does not anticipate releasing headsets with specs superior to the Dream Air and Crystal Super, except for the 12K. Q: How advanced is the design of the Dream Air, and are the renders shown in the announcement representative of the final product? A: The internal design of the headset is finalized, with testing underway using a fully functional optical engine shared with the Crystal Super. External design development is ongoing, with prototypes showcasing progress in the housing design. Images of two prototypes provide a glimpse into the design evolution of the Dream Air. Q: Will Cobb, the standalone module for Dream Air, be available in 2025? A: The exact release date for Cobb is yet to be determined, as Pimax plans to enhance the module with additional features beyond the initial announcement. Q: What safety measures are in place to prevent potential risks from the auto-tightening headstrap? A: The headstrap is designed to securely hold the headset without posing any danger to users. Elastic rubber straps ensure a comfortable yet secure fit, similar to technology used in self-lacing shoes. Q: Can the head straps be replaced, and if so, how? A: Yes, the head strap can be easily removed at the stems for replacement or customization. Q: Is there a possibility of running HorizonOS or AndroidXR on the Dream Air in the future? There are currently no plans to support HorizonOS or AndroidXR on the Dream Air. The headset operates as a PC VR device, utilizing Pimax Play software alongside OpenXR, OpenVR, and SteamVR compatibility. Pimax has provided a comprehensive list of specifications for the Dream Air headset: Pimax Dream Air Specs Visuals Display 2 × micro-OLED100% DCI-P3 colors Resolution per-eye 13MP (3,840 × 3,552) Pixels per-degree unknown Max refresh rate 90Hz Optics Pancake Field-of-view 102°H Pass-through view Black & white Optical adjustments Continous IPD (automatic)Prescription lenses (optional) IPD adjustment range 58–72mm Input & Output Connectors DP 1.4 (PC) to USB-C (headset)1 × USB-C accessory port Input Dream Air controllers (rechargable battery)Hand-tracking Audio In-headstrap speakers Microphone Dual-microphone Weight 200g Sensing Headset-tracking Inside-out (no external beacons)SteamVR Tracking (external beacons) [optional] Controller-tracking Headset-tracked (headset line-of-sight needed) Eye-tracking Yes Expression-tracking No On-board cameras 4 × tracking2 × passthrough Depth-sensor No Price MSRP $1,900 Pimax Product Shipping Update Q: What is the latest estimated shipping timeline for Pimax's unreleased products? A: The Crystal Super is set to debut at CES 2025, with the QLED 57 PPD optical engine shipping in late January. The 50 PPD and micro-OLED optical engines are also nearing completion, scheduled for March and April shipments. The non-local dimming version of the Crystal Light will launch around June 2025, offering a more affordable option. The 60G Airlink for the original Crystal will begin external beta testing soon and is expected to ship in April 2025. As for the 12K headset, Pimax is currently addressing technical challenges to ensure quality standards are met before announcing a release date. If you have more questions for Pimax, feel free to share them in the comments below.

Tag: Prototypes

Pimax Reveals Dream Air Prototypes and Answers Key Questions

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