Author: Siddhant Patil

  • Mi In-Ear Pro Headphones: Specs, Test, Price Detailed Review

    Mi In-Ear Pro Headphones: Specs, Test, Price Detailed Review

    Xiaomi is known primarily for making budget smartphones with a premium build. But they found themselves on the radar of audio lovers everywhere with the Xiaomi Piston 2.0 in-ears. Mi In-Ear Pro even made it onto our best list and stayed there for quite some time. I personally liked them so much that I bought a pair and made them my daily drivers. Even when testing other headphones, I always had them in my back pocket.

    Fast forward a little, and the Xiaomi Piston III come out with a brand new design and slightly different sound. Though it was in some ways a better sound, it wasn’t enough for me to part ways with my Piston 2.0’s. Now the company is pushing the fourth generation which they’ve dubbed the Mi In-Ear Pro Headphones. They have a similar design to the Piston III’s, but a new sound. Are these the new best earbuds on the block?

    Mi In-Ear Pro 
    They have a similar design to the Piston III’s, but a new sound

     

    Mi In-Ear Pro Box Contents

    One of the cooler things about the Piston 2.0 in-ears was the box it came in. When you opened it, you got a faint smell of chocolate. Unfortunately, Xiaomi ditched that clever packaging and instead went with a simple cardboard box. Opening it up you’ll get the headphones, a quick start guide, and three extra ear tips.

    Mi In-Ear Pro 

    Mi In-Ear Pro Build & Design

    Aesthetically these look very similar to the previous generation. Xiaomi kept the angled design that shoots sound into your ear, but it’s slightly different if you put them right next to each other. The cable is made with “break-resistant” Kevlar fibers that are supposed to increase durability. Though we didn’t do any stress tests, the headphones seemed to survive being tossed around and stuffed into pockets without a problem. One thing I did notice was that it still gets tangled a little too easily for something that’s supposed to be tangle resistant.

    Mi In-Ear Pro 
    The Mi In-Ear Pro  cable is made with “break-resistant” Kevlar fibers that are supposed to increase durability

    The control module is about three inches down from the right earbud and made of metal. This gives it a nice feel and surprisingly doesn’t weigh the earbuds down. They’re still as light as ever. That same metal is also found on the headphone jack in whichever color you choose to buy. It definitely helps the wires avoid fraying over time. I purchased the Black version but they also come in a silver/black. Though these do come with 3 extra pairs of ear tips, I found that none of them fit my ears comfortably enough and continuously fell out. I eventually swapped them out for old headphone tips and the entire experience immediately became much more enjoyable.

    Mi In-Ear Pro Connectivity

    The Mi In-ears terminates in a 3.5mm jack, so you can plug into any of your devices.

    The Mi In-ears terminates in a 3.5mm jack, so you can plug into any of your devices. Still, you might need a dongle or two if you’re getting a new phone anytime soon. That said, there are a few things to be aware of regarding playback controls. Xiaomi manufacturers Android phones, so the 3-button mic and remote is completely compatible with Android. The middle button will pause/play music, skip between tracks, and access Google Now if you hold it down, while the top and bottom buttons control volume.

    the 3-button works with an Android phone just as advertised, however, I had issues with iOS. Typical Apple *Sighs*

    Using it with an Android phone it worked just as advertised, but I had issues with iOS. The volume buttons don’t work because of Apple’s hardware choices, but I also had an issue with pausing/playing music. While music is playing tapping it once will pause the music. Cool. But clicking the middle button again doesn’t resume playback, instead, it accesses Siri for some reason.

    Although Xiaomi does mention the volume issues with iOS, they don’t mention this. So if you’re an iOS user you might as well just ignore the buttons. At least the microphone works well. Calls made on both Android and iOS came through loud and clear with no complaints from people on the other side, though with iOS I also was not able to answer the call by pressing the middle button.

    Mi In-Ear Pro Sound Quality

    The Mi In-ear Headphones Pro have two sets of drivers in each earbud to get the most out of the sound. Inside you’ll find a hybrid dynamic driver that handles the mids and low end. But you’ll also find balanced armature drivers that handle the highs. Together, the result is great.

    Mi In-Ear Pro Pros & Cons

    Mi In-Ear Pro Lows

    The low end in these is definitely reminiscent of the older Xiaomi Piston 2.0’s that I fell in love with. It’s deep and solid, with just the right amount of pump. The consistent bass kicks in “Starboy” by Weeknd sound great and nothing in the low end ever gets out of control.

    Mi In-Ear Pro Mids

    Mids had a nice full sound to them but there was still some occasional muddiness depending on what you were listening to. In particular, I found this to be an issue in Tera Woh Pyar by Momina Mustehsan Coke Studio Season 9 Episode 6 where the organ seems to get in the way of some parts of the vocals.

    Mi In-Ear Pro Highs

    These in-ears handled the high end nicely as well with hi-hats and cymbals becoming piercing only when the volume is maxed out. Luckily, these get plenty loud. While listening to normal volume I didn’t have any issues and everything had a good amount of detail.

    Should You Buy Mi In-Ear Pro or Not?

    Xiaomi hasn’t disappointed. These are the best sounding in-ears Xiaomi has built today without a doubt, but they do have their issues. If you’re using Android you won’t have an issue with the control module, but iOS users should be ready for a few hiccups. On top of that, the silicone ear tips that come with the headphones were not that great and I couldn’t get a good fit with any of them. If you’re looking to pick these up I definitely would recommend getting another pair of ear tips from somewhere else.

    Still, at only at Rs. 1300 the pros easily outweigh the cons. Solid build quality and great sound are what you look for in a pair of in-ears and these deliver. For under Rs. 1500 these are without a doubt one of the best in-ears you can get. You can even make the case for the sub-Rs.2000 range. One thing is for sure though, these new headphones are for sure going to replace the older Piston 2.0’s in my pocket.

    Buy Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Pro at Amazon

  • Braided USB Cable: Everything You Need To Know + VYPR Cable Review

    Braided USB Cable: Everything You Need To Know + VYPR Cable Review

    With need for cables being on such an extensive level, you need to have durable, rugged cables that could withstand everyday use. If you have been wondering which one to buy, here’s a handy review that explains why Braided USB Cable and premium quality cable is much better when compared to conventional PVC cable. As an example of high quality braided nylon USB cable we are using VYPR CBL and comparing it to Samsung note 4’s stock USB cable.

    Braided USB Cable
    Look at the Packaging! when did your cable arrived in a nice box?

    Are Braided Cables More Durable?

    When you go for a branded Nylon Braided USB Cable such as VYPR USB Cable, you can expect exceptional durability for the product. It will easily last through months without difficulty and will be your able companion when you travel from one place to another. Because of the industry grade braided nylon fiber and anodized aluminum which are used in the production of the cable, VYPR cable will not tear or break even after months of rough usage. PVC cables that comes with Redmi devices last a few months after which the black PVC material weakens, bends and eventually rips. Yes! Braided Cables Are Durable!

    Are Braided Cables More Durable?
    This Leather Braiding looks, so damn Amazing!!

    Why there isn’t Thin Braided Cable?

    The durability for the VYPR Braided USB Cable is rendered by the thicker design in comparison with your ordinary PVC cable. The CBL has 3.5 mm diameter on the outer area as opposed to 2-2.5mm of the regular PVC cable, but regardless of this thickness, the cable is very versatile and highly flexible. You can twist and turn it when charging your phone or tablet without difficulty. To maintain this flexibility and durable, most of time, Braided Cables aren’t so much thin.

    Inside Braided USB Cable
    Protection!! They got the basics Just right!

    Braided Cables are Tangle-Free

    Think about your headphones’ cables or other cables that you may be using. Isn’t one of first thing that comes to mind is the annoying knots and ties which you have to untangle every other day? Somehow they find the way to get tangled irrespective of the uncountable measures you take to ensure they do not! With premium Nylon Braided USB Cables, you no longer have to worry about this issue. They are completely tangle free which saves a lot of time and nerves. This feature also boosts the durability of the cable since it doesn’t bend, crack and tear.

    With Mobile Cases: Most users have a different type of case to suit their mood and requirement. VYPR’s Connector housings used in the cables are really narrow so they fit most cases available in the market. However, they are not as narrow as Samsung’s cable. In fact, just the protective aluminum housing is fitted on top of it, makes the just a notch thicker than the stock cable. The company guarantees hassle free return and refund if the cable doesn’t fit the buyer’s specific case, so there is no risk there.

    Live in Style: Coloured Braided Cables

    While usability is really important for some users, style is important for the others. Samsung’s are not the cheapest smartphones and many users are prepared to pay extra to accessorize their beloved piece of technology. With this in mind some aftermarket cable producers including VYPR CBL, create their products with extra style. VYPR CBL cable comes in 4 colors, which match the colors of the latest Apple devices – Gold, Silver, Space Gray and an added bonus of Red. VYPR product reviews on Amazon.com indicate that this stylish feature is extremely popular with some buyers. These colors aren’t offered on regular PVC cables.

    Braided USB Cable Cost Price
    VYPR CBL comes in USB-C, MicroUSB, and Apple Lightning Flavors

    How Much Braided USB Cable Costs? Price?

    The quality and features of Nylon Braided micro USB cables may lead to thinking that they are overpriced and aren’t affordable for an average user. However, it couldn’t be further from the truth. 3ft/1mtr VYPR cables are offered for as low as Rs.500, which at the time of writing is way cheaper than the original Samsung cable in PVC. And for those in need of a longer cable, VYPR offers a 10ft/3mtr. long cable at the same price of Rs.500. it is available in Gold, Black and Silver. As for compatibility VYPR CBL comes in with USB-C, MicroUSB, and Apple Lightning connector’s as Well.

    Any Warranty?

    Buying PVC USB cables for cheap rates is quite possible online but you hardly get any kind of warranty with it. The life span of such cables is mostly limited by the durability of materials used in the production. Thin PVC cables are far more likely to bend and rip, and their plastic connector housings are also quite fragile. Nylon Braided cable by VYPR CBL come with a solid 12-month warranty, which makes the investment worthwhile.

  • MTT Braided Nylon Micro USB Cable Review: Value For Money Or NOT?

    MTT Braided Nylon Micro USB Cable Review: Value For Money Or NOT?

    Today Let’s take a look at a Braided USB Cable from a not so well known manufacturer “MTT”. This USB cable has great value for money proposition and have some tricks up its slews.

    braided usb cable
    The braided USB cable box package was quite good!

    Why Are Braided (USB) Cables Better?

    Firstly why braided cable? Well I have a cat and she tends to destroy almost every cable no matter whether it is a headphone cable or a USB cable (only she knows what she against cables). So after she went through THREE of my original Samsung cables (costing Rs. 600-700 each) and when everything else failed, it was time to try something new, braided cable. And many reputed manufactures like Anker, Tuzker, and boAt make couple of good ones from and they supported quick charging and were quite promising but honestly speaking, they were pretty expensive for experiment. So I stumbled up upon the MTT’s braided cable. From the pictures it looked OK and it said it supported fast charging and had a nifty feature of having reversible connectors at both ends. (I was a bit skeptical about it though) plus as they had a discount on it , so the deal seemed quite reasonable as well.

    The package arrived a bit late but I did not care much as shipping was free (Never complain if it’s free). The box contains the just Braided Nylon micro USB Cable nothing else (I still wonder, what more I was expecting?). Having a first look, the quality of the cable was quite good (much better than what I expected). The nylon braiding was nicely done, no loose threads, the connector are made of metal with plastic inserts to protect the cable, and it comes with a Velcro tie for cable management as well. All in all first impression were quite good.

    MTT Braided USB Cable Review

    braided usb cable features
    Though the feature is quite handy the USB type-A side worries me as it is too thin!

    Well now to the important part. Is this Braided USB Cable good enough? How did it perform? What about fast charging? Did my cat destroyed it as well? Well to be honest after three months of use still it looks good as new. The nylon braiding held up well (trust me I have abused it quite well). This cable does support fast charging (2.4 Amp output) but quick charging would have been nice (but that’s me being greedy) and the reversible connector is a handy feature, now no need to fiddle around finding the right way in (though on USB A side, it looks bit delicate but it still going). and finally my cat, she strangely have left the cable alone after smelling it for a few seconds the first time I installed it.

    Being 1 meter on length, it is just right for everyday use!

    So final verdict? Well even though the Cable was quite impressive at the price and have that nifty reversible connector. The cable lacks the assurance and peace of mind that cables from big manufacturer provides (maybe I’m being paranoid but that’s my view) and though I haven’t faced any issues, many others have and the after sales service is quite questionable. So if you are looking a cheap cable that will take a beating before giving up (don’t expect this cable to be strong as Anker Powerline plus), this is the one to get. So, this was our review about MTT Braided Nylon USB Cable! Make sure you share this with your friends too.

    Anker claims their Power line plus series of braided cable can lift upto 80kg of weight! so you can imagine the strength!

     

  • Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review: Everything You Need to Know

    Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review: Everything You Need to Know

    Xiaomi’s 10,000mAh Power Bank is one of the best we’ve seen, and not just in a long time – ever. The design language oozes style with an elegant and high portability with aluminum-alloy design, the Xiaomi packs useful capacity and at an extraordinary value. Find out more in our Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review.

    Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review, quality
    in some countries like China it comes in different colors (*sigh* typical Xiaomi.)

    Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400mAh Review: Box Contents

    When we first took the Xiaomi power bank out of its box we were confused. Opposed to standard with Xiaomi products (all product info written the writing on the box) this box was pretty bear with only Mi logo on it along with MRP and basic info. on the side (and a weird warning sticker but I hope it is not meant for us).
    Inside the box, sits the powerbank itself in all its glory and a good quality short micro USB cable in its own small slot. they supplied a quick setup guide as well which is in English as well as in Chinese, Just In case you don’t know how the power bank works.

    Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review, box contents
    sits the powerbank itself in all its glory and a good quality short micro USB cable in its own small slot

    Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review: Design and build Quality

    The Mi Power bank have anodized aluminum shell that gives them a premium look and a solid build quality that you don’t expect in power banks in this price range. These have curved corners and have Mi branding on the front. The charging/discharging chips are designed by Texas Instruments and the cell is manufactured by LG or Samsung.

    Xiaomi has managed to squeeze so much power into such a package

    India gets only the silver-colored variant, but in some countries like China it comes in different colors (*sigh* typical Xiaomi.). These feel solid in hand and is quite scratch resistant, but don’t test it. Since it is in silver color, dust and stains are clearly visible. But this power bank is water and corrosion resistant so cleaning it is easy.

    The Mi Power bank have anodized aluminum shell that gives them a premium look and a solid build qualityThe powerbank have LED indicators, standard USB slot, micro USB slot and a button on the top. The 4 LED indicator shows the remaining battery left when you are using and the remaining battery that needs to be charged when it is charging. The LED indicator might be too bright in dark environment. It charges devices immediately when it is connected, pressing the button simply indicates the remaining charge left.

    The Power bank have LED indicators, standard USB slot, micro USB slot and a button

    This isn’t the only thing, Xiaomi has taken extra care over in designing its Xiaomi power bank. The fact that Xiaomi has managed to squeeze so much power into such a package means this is the first 10,000mAh power bank we’ve seen that we’d happily slip into a pocket rather than a bag. No power bank makes a better compromise between portability and capacity.

    Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review: Charging Time, Performance

    Coming to the performance, This 10000mAh power bank has 2.0A input and 2.1A output, so you can even charge an iPad (or any android tablet). The 10000mAh power bank can charge the Redmi note 3 and 3s prime upto 1.5 times and Samsung Note 4 twice. The power bank charges the devices faster since it offers 2.1A output which is good enough to charge smartphone along with its accessories such as Bluetooth headphones, fitness bands and more as well.
    Power loss during voltage conversion is a common problem in power banks, and Xiaomi promises 93% charging conversion rate for the 10000 mAh power bank. It also says that these have been tested to withstand 5,000 MicroUSB insertion or removal cycles and 1500 USB insertion or removal cycles.
    These power banks don’t get heated a bit even after hours of usage, compared to most other power banks with metal build. Lack of USB charger in the box is acceptable considering the price tag. Wish the 10000mAh power bank had an additional USB slot to charge another device. These have nine layers of circuit chipset protection (that’s what the company says. And I believe them).
    We think Xiaomi has been somewhat over-cautious with this 6250mAh rating in any case. The hardware inside has been optimized for increased efficiency and durability, which Xiaomi claims is up to 93 percent.

    Most major manufactures mentions the efficiency along with minimum charge

    These power banks come only with a small USB cable. You need to get a wall charger separately to charge these power banks, Better use a 2A charger since it takes several hours (and several hours’ means more than 6 hours) to charge these power banks with a 1A charger.

    Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank Review: Price, Conclusion

    Overall, these power banks are highly recommended for the impressive build quality and affordable price tag. And the 10000mAh power bank offers more value for money at just Rs. 1299(which drops to Rs. 999 for seasonal sales), and is a powerful battery pack that can  charge even the latest iPad. That being said I think this might be the Best power bank for your phone or tablet

  • How To Choose Right Power Bank For Your Mobile Phone

    How To Choose Right Power Bank For Your Mobile Phone

    How To Choose Suitable Portable Power Bank For Your Android, iPhone or any Smartphone?

    Power banks or Portable Batteries or Battery Packs, whatever you call them but all serve one purpose! To give you power on the go without a need to look for power output. Just like cables, Power banks come in different shape, size, capacity, and don’t get me started on the features. Some do just light up as well! I have seen some powerbanks that can jumpstart a full size SUV!! How cool is that? Here, I’ll give few tips to choose best powerbank for your mobile phone suitable for your needs.

    choose right suitable portable best power bank for your iphone android mobile phone
    So with all these option, how to buy right powerbank one that gets the job done for you?

    What is Power Bank Capacity, mAh?

    Let’s start by understanding what exactly is the capacity of a Powerbank? How it is measured? How much of the stated capacity you actually get? Is there any difference between genuine branded powerbank and a cheap powerbank (you guessed it right from some shady seller outside your local railways station)? Well let’s find out the answers.
    Now first what is the powerbank capacity? The amount of charge the battery cells inside the powerbank can hold. It is generally measured in mAH (milliAmp-Hour) or WHr (Watt-Hour). Now we know that we never get even close to what mentioned capacity on the powerbank. So, how to know what you are going to get?

    Inside Powerbank
    if you open a powerbank something like this is expected to be seen. (If not, you might be screwed)

    If your phone has 4000 mAh battery and if you buy powerbank of 2000 mAh capacity, its not going to last enough! So, make sure you look at your phone’s battery capacity too while choosing right powerbank for your mobile phone. There is a theoretical equation to calculate the USB output capacity from a powerbank. Let’s understand some basics. Inside powerbanks are 3.7V batteries (this voltage varies but only in point margin) but the USB standard is 5V. Between the battery and the USB socket is a conversion circuit and this changes the 3.7 V into USB friendly 5V. When converting into a higher voltage you must also convert the mAH into the new voltage.

    How to Calculate Power Bank Capacity? (Formula)

    A simple equation can be used to convert the 3.7V into 5V.
    Capacity with respect to 5V = 3.7 X Advertised Capacity / 5
    In this case a 10,000 mAH powerbank: 3.7 X 10,000 / 5 = 7,400 mAH
    So a 10,000 mAH at 3.7V powerbank really only supplies 7,400 mAH at the 5V USB connection. So straight out of the box is a 26% reduction in the stated mAH. But that’s not it, there is also something called as conversion loss. What is a conversion loss?
    As you use your powerbank, the circuit inside that converts 3.7V to 5V USB uses some energy and also creates heat. During this conversion you lose some charge. This loss is called as conversion loss. There is a wide range in conversion efficiency and most brands don’t state the losses, but here Xiaomi has prized themselves on their conversion efficiency chips which are up to 93% efficient, meaning you only lose 7% off your battery power in the conversion. This loss is more is the cheap generic powerbanks as conversion circuits are not even remotely as sophisticated as the ones of branded powerbanks.

    You can see 5V output, which is a standard for USB output

    So now what you actually get out of your powerbank?
    To get a rough idea the equation (yeah! I know maths suck. But it is part of life. Deal with it) will be
    Actual output percentage= (Capacity with respect to 5V / Advertised Capacity *100) – conversion loss
    In this case, Actual output= (7400/10000*100) – 7%
    = 67%
    So the mi powerbank should supply roughly 67 mAH of charge. Which is good enough to charge most smartphones at least 1.5 times if not more. But again this percentage varies on the basis of conversion loss.

    Most major manufactures mentions the efficiency along with minimum charge

    Now a bonus answer. Why don’t they just state the actual output?
    The manufactures don’t need to!! As technically, most people have no idea what’s inside the box. By not giving the actual 5V output brands can reap these benefits;
    • Manufactures can have a higher number of mAH for their powerbank and sound more powerful.
    • It avoids the talk or testing of conversion loss and brands with low efficiency conversion chips can still market them in the same league as other efficient brands.
    Some manufacturers will state in the manual or in small print on the device (but most will not state) the minimum output of the powerbank. So as a general rule always buy a powerbank with atleast 30% more charge capacity than you need.

    Till now, hope you’ve learned how to choose right power bank for your phone! Make sure you share this post with your friends too.

  • VR Box Review – one of best budget VR headset in India

    VR Box Review – one of best budget VR headset in India

    After the article of How To Experience VR (Virtual Reality) on Smartphone many of you have this question which head set to get? Should I get VR Box in India? Is it worth buying VR Box? How is the review?

    vr-box-intro

    While searching for any VR headset for your phone, you always have lots of questions, Will this headset support my phone? How will be the experience? Good, Bad? Will it cause troubles in my vision? Are the lens good enough? Can I wear them with specks? Will it affect my vision? How is the built? Are they comfortable? Will VR Box give satisfying VR experience? And the list goes on…

    Well considering all this I rounded up on one that was the VR Box. By the pics it looks convincing and VR Box Price In India is Rs. 650 it seemed like a good deal! Turns out, the deal was pretty darn good. Enough warm-up let get into one my favorite VR headset of all time!!

    The headset arrived in a brown box with an image of VR box Virtual Reality Headset on the front and pricing sticker and VR Box written on top on the top.

    vr-box-india-unboxing-pack-sealed-box

    Inside a box was the VR Headset and some document and the QR code for Cardboard App along with some safety guide and a manual.

    The box also had some Styrofoam sticker which you can stick to the phone casket to prevent scratching the phone and a nice soft cleaning cloth for the lens. That all for the VR Box content. Now let’s concentrate on the actual headset.

    vr-box-india-review

    VR headset is made out of two part abs plastic, one part the headset that is all black and has matte finish that reminds of the interior of older Maruti Suzuki Alto’s interior and other is the white face that is bit glossy. Overall the built is above average with no creak or cracks if you compare it to something like Gear VR.

    Now to the holder or the casket, casket sits behind the white face and is big enough to house my Samsung galaxy note 4 perfectly but that’s it no more as I don’t think anything bigger than the note 4 is compatible with VR Box.

    vr-box-compatible-devices

     

    The phone is held in place by a nice spring loaded mechanism with in my opinion quite good and the phone feel locked into place but don’t test it, it won’t take much shake before the phone pops out. This problem is decease as the phone size decreases, but nothing serious.

    After placing your phone in the casket all you have to do is slide the casket in place and you are all set. The VR box also has the option to remove a part of front face to expose the camera for augmented reality. You can also add some headphones (which is highly recommended) and a charger or USB OTG controller to your phone through the openings on the side

    vr-box-3d

     

    Now let’s talk about lens and comfort. Firstly the lens, lens are made of non-replaceable plastic and are very prone to fingerprints, but they are very easy to clean, they offer clear image without any issues. The lens can be easily adjusted (right-left and front-back) for better viewing with the help to two sliders on the top of the headset and the cavity is big enough to fit your spectacles (subject to condition you don’t those huge hipster frames).

    Now the comfort, VR Box come with 3 point (one on each side and one on top) adjustable head strap which can fits perfectly over my big head, but it needs some adjustment. As for the portion the touches your face his wrapped in soft foam filled mesh material that helps to keep the sweat at bay and helps in those awkward moments when you have to share the headset. As for the heat generated, there are vents in the front face and on the side so the headset allow the phone to breathe.

    vr-box-technology

    Overall this is a very good deal considering the price and if you ask me Rs. 650 for such headset is a good investment. Only drawback with this headset is that it don’t have magnetic trigger so keep that in mind or connect a controller to tackle this issue or just by a third party magnetic trigger and stick it to the headset.

    On the rate of 1-10, this headset deserve a 7 due to affordable price point and great build quality

    Click Here to Buy VR box on Amazon

  • PC VR using Smartphone

    PC VR using Smartphone

    Play PC Games on VR Headset

    In the last article, We saw how we can enjoy virtual reality at home on your smartphone? But, What if I told you that you can turn your smartphone into a full fletch VR headset that you can use with your PC.
    Yeah like the Oculus!!
    Won’t you love to take PC VR using Smartphone and get that awesome feel of being in the shoes of your favorite character?Well let’s find out how we can achieve that!!
    Now, let list of the things that you are going to need.

    1. A smartphone with ac
    2. A VR kit
    3. A PC
    4. Some Softwares
    5. A PC Game (Of course you need one, what else can give you a better VR experience?)
    6. A 5 GHz router
    7. Headphone (optional but recommended )
    8. Controller or game-pad (like always recommended but still optional)

    *Note: for optimum performance these are some recommended hardware specification. This hardware is not compulsory but to avoid lag and latency and get best experience, this hardware is highly recommended

     

    For PCFor Smartphone
    • Intel I5 4th gen or Higher
    • NVidia GTX 9xx series graphics card
    • 8 GB DDR3 Ram
    • Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit or Higher

     

     

    • 5.5 inches FHD display
    • Snapdragon 801 processor or Higher
    • 3 GB RAM
    • Android 5.0 or Higher 
    • 5 GHz Router Support 

     

     

    Use the following steps to enjoy PC VR using smartphone:Let’s start by downloading some required apps to set up the Gamestream.

    Firstly, lets start by prepping up the PC,

    1. Get the newest possible update (beta software won’t work) for NVidia Graphics drivers and Ge-force experience.
    2. Download and install “Tridef3d”.  (you can find it easily on the Internet.)
    3. Install a PC game of your choice (FPS is Preferable and please avoid city building or strategy games).

    Now for the smartphone,

    1. Download “Moonlight” from the Playstore.

    Now here is the hard part-setting up the PC,

    • Launch the GeForce experience on your PC.
    • In GeForce Experience, switch to preferences tab and add TridefIgnition (It is availabe in the parent folder of Tridef3d) .

    pref

    • Now make sure your PC and Smartphone are connected to same LAN network. 
    • Now open the ‘Moonlight’ app on your smartphone and you would be greeted by a page that shows the rigs that support Gamestream.

    moonlight-home-1

    • Select the Rig that you are gaming on, soon a window will pop-up that will have a 4 digit pin. Meanwhile on your PC a pop-up will appears in lower right corner of your PC Screen that looks like one in the image below. Here you have to enter the four digit pin from the moonlight app and hit connect

     

    s1

    • Now heres a bit tricky part, open Moonlight and select Tridef3d.

    PC VR using smartphone

    • Soon your PC screen will go black and NVidia Game Stream will start along with a Tridef3D window.

    tridef-pg1

    • Click add button. Now Tridef will scan your PC for The games that Tridef supports via the built-in profiles.

    tridef-pg2-game-search

    Note:but, if your game of choice is not detected then you can add it manually by providing Tridef the path to the executive file(.exe) of the game in parent folder of the game.

    tridef-pg3-game-search-manual

    Now, the hard part is over. Just launch the game from Tridef to get a split view. Once the game starts, slide your phone in the VR headset and play your game is VR!

    (Note: some games like Sniper: Ghost Warrior have native support for 3D split view all you have to do is, head over to game setting and enable it)

    Now enjoy which ever PC game you want with a immersive game-play. That’s all about PC VR using Smartphone. In the next article we will see how to use head-tracking using the smartphone’s  built-in Gyro sensor.

  • Mobile VR Technology Introduction How to Experience it on Mobile?

    Mobile VR Technology Introduction How to Experience it on Mobile?

    What is Mobile VR (Virtual Reality) Technology? How to experience it?

    Last year, Google released the cardboard for smartphones and Mobile VR industry took a huge leap forward. We’ve already written Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Introduction post previously. Cardboard is a platform that is being developed by google which uses your smartphone for processing the data and a DIY (Do It Yourself) kit to make a mount your phone to your head. This Kit is basically a folded cardboard box which has a magnetic trigger on the side, this design was easy to make with only problem being that you had to hold it constantly which was bit pain in the hand!

    vr cardboard diy headset
    Google Cardboard V 1.0

    It was such a success that several companies have released accessories that you can slide your phone into, and in doing so gain a fairly inexpensive Mobile VR Experience that can be appreciated anywhere. To accomplish this level of functionality, a lot of things have to be happening in your phone all at once. Now let’s see what we need to experience the virtual reality at home.

    How Mobile VR works?

    Google cardboard is basic concept that drives a lot of the Mobile VR content, and as a result a same technology can be used for most of the VR supported applications. The accelerometer and gyroscope in your smartphone give your VR application a sense of motion and position. When you tilt your head and even spin around you can completely see more of the virtual world being generated around you. In this experience, You can’t just get up and walk around to see more of the virtual world around you or use you hand to interact in virtual world. This is where a controller come in. It helps to move around using the D-Pads and buttons to interact with the virtual environment. But, not all Mobile VR experiences are created equally when it comes to the use of this technology.

    Samsung Gear VR vs Others?

    For example, the Samsung’s Gear VR have its own set of an extra accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer to offer a smoother VR experience. More data points in this experience means head tracking can be more precise, which leads to a more polished experience. This is Why the desktop VR experiences rely on things like fixed-point sensors for your desk and a huge array of external sensors to track movement and position. It’s a bit too much to expect that kind of experience on mobile, but it’s nice to know the experience you have with your smartphone improves dramatically with increase in public interest.

    What are Mobile VR Requirements

    • Mobile with Gyroscope (Most essential component)
    • A VR kit or VR headset
    • Pair of headphones (optional but highly recommended)
    • A controller(optional)

    Lets start with the basic requirement for Mobile VR.  Its a VR kit (or Headset). A VR kit is an accessory for phone where you slide your phone to experience virtual reality. There are ton of VR headset available out there. Let’s check out some of them ‘Google Cardboard’, Goggle cardboard is by far the simplest way to experience Virtual reality on almost every smartphone (subject to condition that smart phone has a gyro). All you have to do is Open the VR app and slide your phone in the cardboard box and put it against your head.

    google mobile vr
    google cardboard mobile vr complete kit

    Cardboard consist of three basic components the cardboard structure, lenses and magnetic trigger. You can find all the components easily online at fairly cheap price. If you want to make one for yourself then there are also options of pre-assembled cardboard box which you can purchase at Rs. 250 (or more). Or you can opt for a plastic version of cardboard like the VR box or Zeiss. Those versions starts from Rs. 750. The plastic version have few advantages over the cardboard like adjustable lenses, sturdier build, cushioning for comfortable fit, adjustable straps and so on.

    If you have a Samsung flagship from S6 or S7 line up or Note 5 then you have an extra option of gear VR. It is much expensive than the cardboard with Samsung’s proprietary software. All you have to do is plug your phone in and jump in the Virtual reality. With the Gear VR, You won’t have to constantly fiddle with a controller as it has one built right in on the side. With the phones QHD displays, the mobile VR experience can’t get any better (for now of course). Try to go for better quality display mobile.

    gear vr mobile
    samsung gear vr headset for mobile

     

    Gear VR or any other VR Content on YouTube

    Now that we have the headset let’s talk about the content that can experience. There are ton of apps that can give you a good VR experience, but let’s start with basic content, the 360 videos. On YouTube if you search for ‘360 videos’ you can find some great videos that would give you the feel of being in a roller-coaster or being in the cockpit of a plane or even deep sea diving as you can look all around you in these videos. These videos are filmed by a 360 camera rig which uses feeds from 6 or more cameras which is stitched together to give us a seamless 360 video. All you have to do is click the little cardboard icon before sliding your phone in the headset. You can see the VR Youtube Video Below.

    Sometimes (not always) you will see a line between the images (either white or black in color). This line is to helps us to center the phone for best possible experience. The images will make more sense once you place the device in the headset, and you will find this style of setup in most apps as this setup is by far the most common form of VR right now. There are apps and games on the store that can give a very good VR experience Some of these apps let you tilt the phone to turn a vehicle, while others rely on standing up and physically panning the phone in one direction or the other to reveal more of an image or the magnetic trigger on the Side of the cardboard (like zombie shooter VR, VR silent home). But there are some that requires a controller for best VR experience (like Deep space battle VR or Galaxy VR) for those you can use any controller via OTG or Bluetooth which ever suits you.

     

    Note: Try to load the video at maximum possible resolution for best possible experience. When you launch a VR app or Video before placing it in the headset you see that there are pair of images that are exactly identical and looks a bit weird something that looks bit like the old CRT monitors which are little bent in convex shape but don’t fill the screen and leave out some part blacked out.

    The most interesting thing about mobile VR right now is how relatively young the experience is but So many companies in every part of the ecosystem are working to make this experience special, and the core of this amazing platform lives right in your pocket at all times. With every new improvement in hardware including screen resolution, motion sensing, and video rendering the mobile VR tech will continue to improve. Soon this would become a trend in personal entertainment!

  • VR Introduction What is Fully Immersive Virtual Reality?

    VR Introduction What is Fully Immersive Virtual Reality?

    Virtual Reality (VR) Introduction, Definition, What does Virtual Reality mean?

    Virtual reality (VR) is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the user in such a way that the user suspends belief and accepts it as a real environment. So Technically “VR” is a computer generated world which can be a game or a walkthrough of a place or a video that plays around you which trick you brain to replaces your reality with VR

    immersive vr example
    Immersive VR (Virtual Reality)

    When did virtual reality begin? Brief History of VR

    It all started in 1950 by a guy named Morton Heilig who later invented the first Actual VR machine dubbed as Sensorama, we won’t go too deep in that as it was too early for VR to make sense!!

    vr history machines headsets
    virtual reality first history brief

    Fast forward to 2000’s, military of multiple countries thought that instead of putting a rookie pilot in an
    actual plane, it would be easy to put him in a dummy cockpit rig that moves and gives near real feel of
    actual cockpit of a plane and surround him with screens that emulate the surrounding of an actual
    fighter plane to give the pilot training in a simulator to handle a fighter jet without the worries of
    damaging the plane! This was Soon adopted by commercial airlines and fight schools to give pilot a basic
    idea of the aircraft. There itself, evolution of virtual reality started!

    Soon many companies started developing this technology and the age of virtual reality started. In 2012, an independent company called oculus started a kick starter for the “rift”, the first VR HMD (Virtual Reality head mounted display). They released a DK1(Development Kit 1) for the developer in 2012. The DK1 had a low
    resolution 7 inches display and featured head tracking. Due to heavy response in July 2014, Oculus began
    shipping Development Kit 2 (DK2).

    VR Google Cardboard History
    Virtual Reality google cardboard

    This was a small refinement of the “Crystal Cove” prototype, featuring several key improvements over the first development kit, such as having a higher-resolution (960×1080 per eye) low-persistence OLED display, higher refresh rate, positional tracking, a detachable cable, and the omission of the need for the external control box.
    Till this time VR was just something you would experience in events. VR got it Worldwide recognition
    when in 2015, google launched the ‘Google Cardboard’. It was a mobile platform which only required a
    cardboard box and a app to experience VR on almost every smartphone that had gyro. This where VR
    technology sky rocketed and big names like HTC and Sony Even Acer leaped into picture with their own
    VR Headset.