Samsung Odyssey Plus
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| Samsung Odyssey+ | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | Windows Mixed Reality |
| Creator | Samsung |
| Developer | Samsung, Microsoft |
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Announcement Date | October 2018 |
| Release Date | October 2018 |
| Price | $499 (launch), reduced later |
| Website | https://www.samsung.com/ (discontinued) |
| Versions | Samsung HMD Odyssey+ (XE800ZBA-HC1US) |
| Requires | Windows Mixed Reality compatible PC |
| Predecessor | Samsung Odyssey |
| Successor | None (discontinued) |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Chipset | N/A (tethered PCVR) |
| CPU | N/A (PC-powered) |
| GPU | N/A (PC-powered) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A |
| Memory | N/A |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual 3.5" AMOLED |
| Subpixel Layout | PenTile Diamond |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 1440 × 1600 per eye (2880 × 1600 combined) |
| Pixel Density | 1233 PPI (perceived with SDE reduction) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz, 90Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 110° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~101° |
| Vertical FoV | ~101° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Single Fresnel lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | 60-72mm (mechanical adjustment) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out (2 cameras) |
| Tracking Frequency | 60Hz |
| Base Stations | None required |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 90Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Standing/room-scale |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | AKG-tuned integrated headphones |
| Microphone | Yes (dual array) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No (integrated only) |
| Camera | 2× inside-out tracking cameras |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0 |
| Ports | USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0 |
| Wired Video | Yes (HDMI) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes (controllers) |
| Power | USB powered |
| Battery Capacity | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | ~200mm × 130mm × 140mm |
| Weight | ~590g |
| Material | Plastic |
| Headstrap | Adjustable head strap |
| Haptics | Controller haptics |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | 2× tracking cameras, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer |
| Input | Windows Mixed Reality Motion Controllers |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
The Samsung Odyssey+ (officially Samsung HMD Odyssey+) is a PC VR head-mounted display in the Windows Mixed Reality ecosystem, developed by Samsung and released in October 2018 at a price of $499. Building on the original Samsung Odyssey released in 2017, the Odyssey+ was distinguished by Samsung's proprietary "Anti-Screen Door Effect" (Anti-SDE) technology, which used a diffusion filter to effectively double the perceived pixel density from 616 PPI to an apparent 1233 PPI, significantly reducing the visible screen door effect that plagued first-generation VR headsets. Featuring dual 3.5-inch AMOLED displays at 1440 × 1600 per eye, AKG-tuned integrated headphones, built-in Bluetooth, and inside-out tracking requiring no external sensors, the Odyssey+ was widely considered the best Windows Mixed Reality headset and one of the best values in PC VR during its availability.
History and Development
Original Samsung Odyssey
First premium WMR headset (2017):
- Samsung's first WMR entry
- AMOLED displays (unique in WMR)
- Premium positioning
- $499 launch price
Odyssey+ Improvements
October 2018 upgrade:
- Anti-SDE technology added
- Wider nose guard (1.5")
- Wider eye box (5.7")
- Premium cooling fabric
- Same $499 price
Windows Mixed Reality Platform
Microsoft's VR ecosystem:
- Inside-out tracking standard
- SteamVR compatibility
- Multiple manufacturer headsets
- Samsung as premium option
Market Discontinuation
End of production:
- Samsung exited WMR market
- No successor announced
- Occasional sales continued
- Eventually fully discontinued
Anti-Screen Door Effect Technology
The Problem
Screen door effect (SDE):
- Visible gaps between pixels
- Grid-like pattern over image
- Reduces immersion
- Common in first-gen VR
Samsung's Solution
Anti-SDE diffusion:
- Grid overlay on display
- Diffuses light from pixels
- Fills gaps between pixels
- Effectively doubles perceived PPI
Visual Result
Perceived improvements:
- Original PPI: 616
- Perceived PPI: 1233 (doubled)
- Smoother image appearance
- Reduced grid visibility
Trade-offs
Slight compromises:
- Minor softening of image
- Slightly reduced sharpness
- Most users preferred effect
- Overall improvement
Display Technology
Dual AMOLED Panels
Premium displays:
- Size: 3.5 inches per eye
- Resolution: 1440 × 1600 per eye
- Total: 2880 × 1600
- Type: AMOLED
AMOLED Advantages
Display quality:
- True black levels
- High contrast
- Fast pixel response
- Vibrant colors
Unique in WMR
Platform differentiation:
- Only AMOLED WMR headset
- Other WMR used LCD
- Premium display option
- Samsung expertise
Refresh Rate
Standard VR timing:
- 60Hz mode (reduced)
- 90Hz mode (standard)
- Developer selectable
- Low persistence
Optical System
Fresnel Lenses
Standard VR optics:
- Wide field of view
- Some god rays
- Good sweet spot
- Typical quality
Field of View
Wide viewing area:
- Total: ~110°
- Horizontal: ~101°
- Competitive FOV
- Good immersion
IPD Adjustment
Physical lens movement:
- Range: 60-72mm
- Wheel adjustment
- Mechanical separation
- Wide accommodation
Tracking System
Windows Mixed Reality Tracking
Inside-out cameras:
- Two front-facing cameras
- 6DoF head tracking
- 6DoF controller tracking
- No external sensors
Tracking Quality
WMR performance:
- Good in front arc
- Limited peripheral tracking
- Adequate for most games
- Improved software over time
Tracking Limitations
System constraints:
- Behind-head controller tracking poor
- Two cameras vs. competitors' more
- Bright environments best
- Known WMR limitation
Controllers
Windows Mixed Reality Controllers
Standard WMR controllers:
- 6DoF tracking (LEDs)
- Thumbstick
- Trackpad
- Trigger and grab
- AA batteries
Controller Tracking
Via headset cameras:
- LED tracking rings
- Works in camera view
- Lost behind head/body
- Adequate for most games
Bluetooth Connection
Wireless controllers:
- Built-in Bluetooth in Odyssey+
- No external adapter needed
- Other WMR needed PC Bluetooth
- Convenience feature
Audio System
AKG-Tuned Headphones
Premium integrated audio:
- AKG partnership
- Over-ear design
- 360° spatial audio
- High quality sound
Audio Quality
Professional tuning:
- Wide frequency response
- Good bass
- Clear highs
- Comfortable fit
Dual Microphones
Voice capture:
- Array microphone
- Clear communication
- VR chat capable
- Good quality
Physical Design
Comfort Improvements
Over original Odyssey:
- Wider nose guard (1.5")
- Wider eye box (5.7")
- Premium cooling fabric
- Better ventilation
Weight
Reasonable for features:
- ~590g
- Balanced design
- Comfortable for extended use
Head Strap
Adjustment system:
- Rear wheel tightening
- Side adjustments
- Secure fit
- Comfortable padding
Glasses Compatibility
Improved fit:
- Wider eye box
- More space for frames
- Comfortable with glasses
Connectivity
Cable Requirements
Standard PC VR:
- USB 3.0 (data + power)
- HDMI 2.0 (video)
- Single cable run
- Reasonable length
PC Requirements
Windows Mixed Reality specs:
- Windows 10/11
- Intel Core i5 / AMD equivalent
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 480
- USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0
Built-in Bluetooth
Unique feature:
- Controllers connect directly
- No adapter needed
- Simplified setup
- Convenience advantage
Software Platform
Windows Mixed Reality Portal
Setup and management:
- Microsoft's VR interface
- Cliff House environment
- Settings and calibration
- Easy setup
SteamVR Compatibility
Game access:
- SteamVR for WMR
- Full Steam library
- OpenVR support
- Broad compatibility
Mixed Reality Apps
Microsoft ecosystem:
- Windows store apps
- Productivity tools
- Entertainment
- Limited selection
Comparison with WMR Headsets
| Feature | Odyssey+ | HP Reverb | Lenovo Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $449 | $199 |
| Display | AMOLED | LCD | LCD |
| Resolution/eye | 1440×1600 | 2160×2160 | 1440×1440 |
| Anti-SDE | Yes | No | No |
| IPD Adjust | Yes | No | No |
| Audio | AKG integrated | Integrated | None |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Anti-SDE technology
- AMOLED displays
- AKG audio
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Physical IPD adjustment
- Good value (at reduced prices)
Limitations
- Two-camera tracking
- WMR controller limitations
- No external tracking option
- Discontinued/unsupported
Market Position
Best WMR Headset
Premium position:
- Highest quality in WMR
- Best displays
- Best audio
- Premium price justified
Value Proposition
Compelling during sales:
- Often discounted heavily
- Excellent value sub-$300
- Best AMOLED value
- Competition from other platforms
Legacy
Samsung VR Exit
End of era:
- Samsung left PC VR market
- No Odyssey successor
- Focus shifted elsewhere
- WMR declined
Anti-SDE Innovation
Technology impact:
- Proved SDE could be reduced
- Software/filter approach
- Influenced later designs
- User preference validated
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual 3.5" AMOLED, 1440 × 1600 per eye |
| Total Resolution | 2880 × 1600 |
| Anti-SDE | Yes (1233 PPI perceived) |
| Refresh Rate | 60/90Hz |
| FOV | ~110° |
| IPD | 60-72mm mechanical |
| Tracking | 2-camera inside-out (WMR) |
| Audio | AKG-tuned integrated headphones |
| Controllers | WMR Motion Controllers |
| Weight | ~590g |
| Connection | USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0 |
| Price | $499 (launch) |
| Status | Discontinued |