Bigscreen Beyond: Difference between revisions

|Subtype = [[PC VR]]

|Platform = [[SteamVR]]

|Developer = [[Bigscreen]]

|Announcement Date = February 2023

|Release Date = Q3 2023

|Website = https://store.bigscreenvr.com/products/bigscreen-beyond

|Operating System = [[Windows]] (via SteamVR)

|CPU = N/A (PC-powered)

|GPU = N/A (PC-powered)

|Storage = N/A

|SD Card Slot = No

|Display = Dual micro-OLED (Samsung)

|Resolution = 2560 × 2560 per eye (5120 × 2560 combined)

|Refresh Rate = 75Hz, 90Hz

|Persistence = Ultra-low persistence (<0.5ms)

|Field of View = 90° (horizontal) × 93° (vertical)

|Horizontal FoV = 90°

|Vertical FoV = 93°

|Average Pixel Density = ~32 PPD

|Peak Pixel Density = ~32 PPD

|Foveated Rendering = No

|Optics = Custom pancake lenses

|IPD Range = Factory-set (based on 3D face scan)

|Tracking = 6DoF outside-in (SteamVR Tracking)

|Base Stations = Required (SteamVR 1.0 or 2.0)

|Eye Tracking = No

|Hand Tracking = No

|Tracking Volume = Dependent on base station setup

|Play Space = Roomscale (up to 10m × 10m with 2.0 stations)

|Latency = <10ms motion-to-photon

|Audio = None built-in (external required)

|Microphone = None built-in

|3.5mm Audio Jack = Via optional audio strap

|Connectivity = DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A

|Ports = DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A

|Wired Video = Yes (DisplayPort)

|Battery Life = N/A (tethered)

|Charge Time = N/A

|Dimensions = ~140mm × 55mm × 50mm (visor)

|Weight = 127g (visor only), 170-185g (with strap)

|Material = Plastic, 3D-printed facial interface

|Color = Black

|Sensors = IMU (gyroscope, accelerometer)

|Input = SteamVR controllers (Index, Vive, etc.)

The '''Bigscreen Beyond''' is an ultra-compact [[PC VR]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Bigscreen]], announced in February 2023 and released later in 2023 at a price of $999. Weighing just 127 grams for the visor alone—less than many smartphones—the Beyond represents a radical departure from traditional VR headset design, achieving its minimal form factor through custom-manufactured facial interfaces based on individual 3D face scans. The headset features dual Samsung micro-OLED displays with 2560 × 2560 resolution per eye and custom pancake lenses, delivering premium visual quality while using SteamVR base station tracking for precise positional tracking. The Beyond's extreme emphasis on comfort and portability has made it popular among VR enthusiasts, sim racers, and users who found traditional headsets too heavy for extended use.

=== Bigscreen Origins ===

Bigscreen Inc. was founded in 2014 by Darshan Shankar and others, initially developing the Bigscreen VR application—a social virtual reality platform for watching movies, gaming, and hanging out in virtual environments. The application became popular across multiple VR platforms, giving the team deep insight into user pain points with existing VR hardware.

=== Hardware Ambition ===

Bigscreen's hardware development began with the observation that existing VR headsets were too heavy, too bulky, and required compromise between visual quality and comfort. The team set out to create what they called "the world's smallest VR headset" by rethinking every aspect of headset design.

=== Custom Face Scanning Approach ===

Traditional VR headsets use a one-size-fits-all approach with adjustable IPD mechanisms and universal facial interfaces. Bigscreen took a radical different approach:

This approach eliminates IPD adjustment mechanisms, facial interface padding options, and much of the structural bulk needed to accommodate diverse face shapes.

=== Design Philosophy ===

* '''Minimize weight at all costs''': Every gram scrutinized

* '''Premium displays''': No compromise on visual quality

* '''External tracking''': Leverage existing SteamVR infrastructure

* '''No integrated audio''': Users provide their own preferred solution

* '''Customization over universality''': Better fit through personalization

== Display Technology ==

=== Samsung Micro-OLED Panels ===

* '''Panel Size''': 1-inch diagonal per eye

 

* '''Fast response''': Near-instantaneous pixel switching

 

 

* Enhanced movie and video viewing

 

 

* '''Horizontal''': 90°

* '''Vertical''': 93°

 

 

=== 3D Face Scanning Process ===

* Capture multiple angles of face

=== 3D Printed Interface ===

* Light-blocking seal

=== Limitations ===

== Weight and Comfort ==

=== Ultra-Light Visor ===

* '''With standard strap''': 170-185 grams depending on strap choice

 

 

 

 

* '''Latency''': Under 1ms tracking latency

* '''Update Rate''': Up to 1000Hz

=== Why External Tracking ===

The choice of outside-in tracking serves the weight goal:

* No tracking cameras add weight to headset

* Leverages existing SteamVR ecosystem

* Highest possible tracking accuracy

=== Base Station Requirements ===

=== Controller Support ===

* Valve Index controllers (recommended)

* HTC Vive controllers

* Any SteamVR-compatible controllers

== Audio System ==

=== No Built-In Audio ===

=== Audio Options ===

Bigscreen offers audio strap accessory:

== Connectivity ==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== Technical Specifications Summary ==

| Display || Dual Samsung micro-OLED, 2560 × 2560 per eye

| Total Pixels || 13.1 million

| FOV || 90° × 93°

| Refresh Rate || 75Hz / 90Hz

| Tracking || SteamVR outside-in (base stations required)

| IPD || Factory-set via 3D face scan

| Built-in Audio || None

| Weight || 127g (visor), 170-185g (with strap)

| Connection || DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A

* [[Micro-OLED]]

* [[Pancake Lenses]]