HP Reverb
The HP Reverb (G1) is a PC virtual reality head-mounted display developed by HP, released in 2019 at $599 (Consumer) or $649 (Pro). HP's second-generation Windows Mixed Reality headset, the Reverb offered the highest resolution of any VR headset at launch with dual 2160x2160 LCD panels (4,320 horizontal pixels total), 114° field of view, 90 Hz refresh rate, inside-out tracking, and significantly reduced weight at 500g. The Pro edition included a shorter cable for use with HP's Z VR backpack PC.
| HP Reverb | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | Windows Mixed Reality, SteamVR |
| Developer | HP |
| Manufacturer | HP |
| Release Date | 2019 |
| Price | $599 (Consumer) / $649 (Pro) |
| Website | https://www.hp.com/ |
| Successor | HP Reverb G2 |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | LCD (dual) |
| Resolution | 2160x2160 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 114° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out, 2 cameras) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated headphones (removable) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort, USB 3.0, Bluetooth |
| Device | |
| Weight | 500g |
History and Development
HP announced the Reverb in early 2019 as a major upgrade to their original Windows Mixed Reality headset. At launch, its 2160x2160 per eye resolution exceeded all competitors including the HTC Vive Pro, Samsung Odyssey, and upcoming Valve Index. The headset targeted both consumers and enterprise users, with a Pro edition optimized for backpack PC usage. The Reverb was succeeded by the HP Reverb G2 in 2020, developed in collaboration with Valve and Microsoft.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Highest resolution at launch:
- 2160x2160 per eye resolution
- 4320x2160 combined
- Dual 2.89-inch LCD panels
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 114° field of view
- Exceeds 4K horizontal resolution
- Reduced screen-door effect
- Sharp text readability
Tracking
Windows Mixed Reality:
- 6DoF tracking
- Inside-out tracking
- 2 front-facing cameras
- No external sensors required
- Room-scale support
Controllers
- 6DoF motion controllers
- WMR standard controllers
- Bluetooth connected
- Touchpad and thumbstick
Audio
- Integrated headphones
- Removable design
- Built-in option
- External headphone support
Build
Lightweight design:
- 500g weight
- Significantly lighter than predecessor (834g)
- Cloth material exterior
- Square lenses
- Better edge-to-edge focus
- Comfort-focused design
Connectivity
- DisplayPort (required for resolution)
- USB 3.0
- Bluetooth
Editions
| Edition | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer | Standard cable, full kit | $599 |
| Pro | 0.6m cable (backpack PC), full kit | $649 |
PC Requirements
High GPU requirement:
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1080 / AMD RX Vega 64 minimum
- CPU: Intel Core i5 / AMD equivalent
- DisplayPort output required (HDMI insufficient)
- Windows 10 Fall Creators Update+
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 2160x2160 LCD x2 |
| Combined | 4320x2160 |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| FOV | 114° |
| Tracking | Inside-out (2 cameras) |
| Audio | Integrated headphones |
| Weight | 500g |
| Interface | DisplayPort + USB 3.0 |
| Price | $599-$649 |
Reception
Praise:
- 2160x2160 highest resolution at launch
- 4320 pixels exceeds 4K
- Minimal screen-door effect
- 114° FOV wide
- 500g lightweight
- Sharp text readability
- Cloth material comfortable
- DisplayPort connection capable
- Good value for resolution
- Enterprise-ready Pro edition
Criticism:
- LCD vs OLED contrast
- 2-camera tracking limited
- WMR controller tracking zones
- High GPU requirements
- DisplayPort required (no HDMI)
- Limited tracking volume
- WMR platform limitations
- 90Hz only (vs 120Hz Index)
- Controllers dated design[2]