Pimax 8K
| Pimax 8K | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | PC, SteamVR |
| Creator | Pimax |
| Price | $899 (Kickstarter) |
| Website | https://www.pimax.com |
| System | |
| CPU | Host PC dependent |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1070+ (min) |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | 2 x 4K LCD (CLPL) |
| Resolution | 7680 x 2160 (3840 x 2160 per eye, upscaled) |
| Image | |
| Optics | |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR Lighthouse) |
| Audio | |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort, USB |
| Ports | DisplayPort, USB |
| Device | |
| Sensors | SteamVR tracking sensors |
| Input | SteamVR controllers |
The Pimax 8K is a wide field-of-view virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Pimax. First shown at CES 2017 and funded through a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign in September 2017, the Pimax 8K features dual 4K displays using Customized Low Persistence Liquid (CLPL) technology and an unprecedented 200-degree field of view. The Kickstarter campaign raised approximately $4.2 million, setting a Guinness World Record for the most successful crowdfunded VR project. Backer shipments began in 2019 after manufacturing refinements.[1]
History and Development
CES 2017 Prototype
Pimax demonstrated the world's first 8K resolution VR headset prototype at CES 2017.
Kickstarter Campaign
- Launch: September 19, 2017
- End: November 3, 2017
- Raised: $4.2 million
- Record: Guinness World Record for most successful crowdfunded VR project
Delayed Shipping
Originally planned for January 2018, shipments were delayed due to design tweaks and manufacturing refinements. All backers with verified addresses received headsets by July 2019.
Design and Hardware
Display System
- Display Type: CLPL (Customized Low Persistence Liquid)
- Per-Eye Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
- Total: 7680 x 2160 (marketed as "8K")
- Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
Input Resolution
Due to bandwidth limitations, input is limited to 2560 x 1440 per eye, upscaled to native 4K.
Field of View
- FOV: 200 degrees
- Significantly wider than 110° competitors
- More peripheral vision
Optics
Fresnel lenses with wide FOV support.
Tracking
SteamVR Lighthouse
- Compatible with SteamVR 1.0 and 2.0 base stations
- 6 degrees of freedom
- Sub-millimeter accuracy
Controller Compatibility
- Vive Controllers
- Valve Index Controllers
- Third-party SteamVR controllers
8K Naming Clarification
The "8K" designation refers to the combined horizontal resolution (2x 3840 = 7680 pixels), similar to how "4K" describes ~4000 horizontal pixels. The headset contains two 4K displays, totaling approximately 8K horizontal resolution.
System Requirements
Minimum
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD equivalent |
| CPU | Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
Recommended
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 2080+ / AMD equivalent |
| RAM | 16 GB |
Pimax 8K Series
Pimax 8K (Original)
Upscaled input to 4K displays.
Pimax 8K+ (Vision)
- Native 4K input per eye
- 110 Hz refresh rate
- Improved clarity
Pimax 8KX
- True native 4K per eye
- No upscaling required
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- Released 2020
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 2 x 4K LCD (CLPL) |
| Native Resolution | 3840 x 2160 per eye |
| Input Resolution | 2560 x 1440 per eye (upscaled) |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Field of View | 200° |
| Tracking | SteamVR Lighthouse |
| Connection | DisplayPort + USB |
| Kickstarter Price | $899 |
See Also
References
- ↑ "Pimax". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimax.