psvr features

PlayStation VR Cinematic Mode Detailed, Supports Nearly All PS4 Games & Apps

One of the features included with PlayStation VR is Cinematic Mode, which lets you view the PlayStation 4 system UI and nearly all non-VR games and applications on a virtual screen while wearing the headset. The screen size varies from Small (117 inches) to Medium (163 inches) to Large (226 inches) and is placed virtually at 6 – 10 feet away, though the size of the screen may feel different depending on the person.

In their PlayStation VR FAQ, Sony explains that certain games like The Playroom and Tearaway Unfolded won’t work in Cinematic Mode because they use the PlayStation Camera:

Yes, PS4 games will work using Cinematic Mode, which is used to view the PS4 system interface and non-VR games and applications on a virtual screen. Non-VR games which use the PS Camera like the original non-VR PlayRoom and Tearaway Unfolded are not supported by PS VR Cinematic mode.

When playing non-VR games during Cinematic Mode, you’ll be able to use all of the Share features, as long as they’re supported by the game. Also, since the Processor Unit provides Cinematic Mode, you won’t notice any frame-rate or performance drops with PS4 games or apps.

Here’s what they said about Cinematic Mode’s resolution:

PS VR presents images from a single 1920 x 1080 display split between both eyes, so the content can have a maximum resolution of 960×1080 in stereoscopic 3D. The actual resolution of the Cinematic Mode screen depends on the screen size and the resolution of the content being displayed.

Sony adds that you can’t change the backgrounds in Cinematic Mode, and 3D content won’t be displayed. “In Cinematic Mode, PS VR will display 3D games and films in 2D when playing on a 3D-compatible TV,” they explained. “When playing with non 3D-compatible TVs or without a TV, PS4 won’t play 3D games and films.”

They didn’t have anything to announce today about possibly adding 3D support in Cinematic Mode in the future.

Looking at the planned support for non-gaming content, Sony said they’ll have VR storytelling experiences from Penrose Studios and others, with details TBA. In the coming weeks and months, VR experiences and media apps like Hulu (in the US only), Allumette (Penrose), Invasion! (Baobab), Kismet (PsyOp), Within, LittlStar, Vrideo, and The Martian (Fox) will be released.

Specifically asked if you can watch movies, YouTube videos, and other media through the PSVR headset, Sony said, “Yes, you can watch all your existing media in Cinematic Mode using PS VR. There will also be media applications designed to support PS VR.”

Which game/movie will you try out first in Cinematic Mode?

[Source: PS Blog]

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