VRgineers XTAL 8K
| VRgineers XTAL 8K | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR, Enterprise VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, Autodesk VRED integration |
| Creator | VRgineers |
| Developer | VRgineers |
| Manufacturer | VRgineers |
| Announcement Date | CES 2020 |
| Release Date | 2020 |
| Price | ~$8,000 (estimated enterprise pricing) |
| Website | https://vrgineers.com/ |
| Versions | XTAL 8K, XTAL 8K Helmet-Mount |
| Requires | High-end VR-ready PC (VirtualLink or DisplayPort) |
| Predecessor | VRgineers XTAL |
| Successor | VRgineers XTAL 3 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows (SteamVR) |
| Chipset | Host PC dependent |
| CPU | Host PC dependent |
| GPU | Host PC dependent |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Host PC dependent |
| Memory | Host PC dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual 4K LCD |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | High |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 per eye (7680 × 2160 total, 8K) |
| Pixel Density | High density |
| Refresh Rate | 75Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 180° diagonal (150° standard) |
| Horizontal FoV | ~150° |
| Vertical FoV | ~130° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~25 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~25 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Yes (eye tracking) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Improved custom lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Automatic (eye tracking adjusted) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | Yes (AR module add-on available) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (SteamVR, multiple options) |
| Tracking Frequency | Not specified |
| Base Stations | SteamVR compatible (required) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (integrated, automatic IPD) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (Ultraleap/Leap Motion integrated) |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 75Hz |
| Tracking Volume | SteamVR room-scale |
| Play Space | Roomscale/Simulation |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated speakers |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | Ultraleap hand tracking sensors, optional AR cameras |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | VirtualLink (USB-C), DisplayPort |
| Ports | VirtualLink, USB-C |
| Wired Video | Yes |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | PC-powered |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (tethered) |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Professional form factor |
| Weight | Not specified |
| Material | High-quality plastic, professional grade |
| Headstrap | Integrated adjustable, helmet-mount option |
| Haptics | Controller-based |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | Eye tracking, Ultraleap sensors, IMU |
| Input | SteamVR controllers, hand tracking |
| Compliance | FCC, CE, military/aerospace standards |
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The VRgineers XTAL 8K is a professional-grade PC VR and mixed reality head-mounted display developed by Czech company VRgineers, announced at CES 2020 as an upgrade to the original XTAL, priced at approximately $8,000 for enterprise customers. The XTAL 8K earns its name from dual 4K LCD displays providing a combined 8K resolution of 7680 × 2160 (3840 × 2160 per eye), delivering exceptional clarity for professional simulation, automotive design visualization, and military training applications—notably already in use by the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force for pilot training. The headset features an impressive 180° diagonal (150° standard) field of view, integrated Tobii eye tracking with automatic IPD adjustment for foveated rendering, Ultraleap (Leap Motion) hand tracking for controller-free interaction, improved custom lenses, and an optional pass-through AR module for mixed reality applications. With VirtualLink single-cable connectivity and full integration with Autodesk VRED for automotive and industrial design workflows, the XTAL 8K represents one of the highest-specification professional VR headsets available.
History and Development
VRgineers Background
Company origins:
- Czech Republic-based company
- Professional VR focus
- Automotive and aerospace clients
- High-end headset specialist
Original XTAL
First generation:
- $5,800 professional headset
- Wide FOV design
- Enterprise market
- Foundation for 8K
CES 2020 Announcement
8K upgrade reveal:
- Dual 4K displays
- Improved lenses
- Enhanced features
- AR add-on option
Enterprise Deployments
Client validation:
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Air Force pilot training
- Automotive manufacturers
- Aerospace industry
Design Philosophy
Professional-Grade
Enterprise requirements:
- Maximum visual fidelity
- Simulation accuracy
- Training effectiveness
- Design visualization
8K Resolution Priority
Visual clarity focus:
- Dual 4K per eye
- Text readability
- Detail visualization
- Realistic rendering
Wide FOV
Peripheral awareness:
- 180° diagonal
- 150° standard
- Situational awareness
- Simulation realism
Integrated Tracking
All-in-one sensors:
- Eye tracking
- Hand tracking
- Multiple systems
- Unified solution
Display Technology
Dual 4K LCD
Ultra-high resolution:
- Resolution: 3840 × 2160 per eye
- Combined: 7680 × 2160 (8K)
- Type: High-density LCD
- Professional clarity
Refresh Rate
Performance:
- Refresh: 75Hz
- Low persistence
- Smooth motion
- Simulation suitable
Field of View
Wide coverage:
- Diagonal: 180°
- Standard: 150°
- Wide peripheral vision
- Immersive experience
Image Quality
Visual characteristics:
- High pixel density
- Minimal screen door
- Sharp text/graphics
- Design-accurate colors
Improved Optics
Custom Lens Design
Optical engineering:
- Enhanced from original XTAL
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Wide FOV coverage
- Distortion minimized
Visual Quality
Lens characteristics:
- Sharp across FOV
- Professional calibration
- Color accuracy
- Comfortable viewing
Eye Tracking
Integrated Eye Tracking
Built-in system:
- High accuracy
- Automatic IPD
- Gaze detection
- Real-time tracking
Automatic IPD Adjustment
Convenience feature:
- Eye-tracking based
- No manual adjustment
- User-specific optimization
- Instant calibration
Foveated Rendering
Essential optimization:
- 8K demands high GPU
- Full resolution at gaze
- Reduced peripheral
- Performance enabling
Hand Tracking
Ultraleap Integration
Leap Motion technology:
- Highly accurate tracking
- Controller-free option
- Natural interaction
- Professional applications
Hand Tracking Applications
Use cases:
- Design manipulation
- Training interaction
- Natural gestures
- Accessibility
AR Module (Optional)
Pass-Through Video
Mixed reality capability:
- Add-on module
- Video see-through
- AR applications
- Dual use capability
AR Applications
Use cases:
- Mixed reality training
- Real-world overlay
- Maintenance guidance
- Design visualization
Tracking System
SteamVR Compatible
Tracking options:
- SteamVR Tracking
- Base stations required
- Room-scale capable
- Professional accuracy
6DoF Tracking
Full motion:
- Position tracking
- Rotation tracking
- Sub-millimeter accuracy
- Professional grade
Connectivity
VirtualLink
Single-cable solution:
- USB-C VirtualLink
- Video + power + data
- Clean setup
- Future-ready
Alternative Connection
Flexibility:
- DisplayPort option
- USB for features
- Professional connectivity
- GPU compatibility
Professional Integration
Autodesk VRED
Direct integration:
- Design visualization
- Prototyping
- Rendering
- Training
CAD/CAM Compatibility
Industry tools:
- Design software support
- Engineering workflows
- Professional pipelines
- Enterprise tools
Enterprise Applications
Military Training
Defense applications:
- U.S. Air Force pilot training
- Department of Defense use
- Combat simulation
- Mission preparation
Aerospace
Aviation industry:
- Cockpit simulation
- Design review
- Maintenance training
- Safety procedures
Automotive
Vehicle industry:
- Design visualization
- Virtual prototyping
- Engineering review
- Marketing
Industrial
Manufacturing:
- Equipment training
- Process simulation
- Safety training
- Design validation
Versions
XTAL 8K Standard
Primary version:
- Full 8K resolution
- All integrated features
- Standard mounting
- Professional package
XTAL 8K Helmet-Mount
Simulator version:
- Helmet attachment
- Flight simulator integration
- Military applications
- Aerospace deployment
Comparison with Professional Headsets
| Feature | XTAL 8K | Varjo XR-3 | StarVR One |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$8,000 | ~$5,495 | $3,200+ |
| Resolution | 3840×2160/eye | 1920×1920 + 2880×2720 | 1830×1464/eye |
| FOV | 180° diag/150° | 115° | 210° horiz |
| Eye Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (Ultraleap) | No (optional) | No |
| AR Capability | Optional module | Integrated | No |
| Target | Aerospace/Auto | Enterprise | LBE/Sim |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 8K resolution (3840×2160 per eye)
- 180° diagonal / 150° standard FOV
- Integrated eye tracking with auto IPD
- Ultraleap hand tracking included
- Optional AR pass-through module
- VirtualLink single-cable connectivity
- Autodesk VRED integration
- Military/aerospace proven
Limitations
- Very high enterprise price (~$8,000)
- 75Hz refresh rate (lower than some)
- Requires high-end workstation GPU
- Tethered only
- Heavy enterprise focus
- Limited consumer availability
- Requires SteamVR base stations
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual 4K LCD (8K total) |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 75Hz |
| FOV | 180° diagonal / 150° standard |
| Eye Tracking | Integrated, auto IPD |
| Hand Tracking | Ultraleap integrated |
| AR | Optional pass-through module |
| Tracking | SteamVR 6DoF |
| Connectivity | VirtualLink, DisplayPort |
| Price | ~$8,000 (enterprise) |