For many original PSVR owners, Cinematic Mode offered a novel alternative way to enjoy non-VR content on the PS4. It worked by placing you in a virtual space, and broadcasting any content on a gigantic screen in front of you. This feature will return on PSVR2, although it will come with some familiar caveats due to the limitations of the technology.
So, output will be limited to 1920x1080, which is a big improvement on the original PSVR – but is obviously less than the 4K image your television may produce. You’ll also benefit from HDR in PSVR2, which wasn’t available on the original headset. Overall, it’s a pretty big quality bump compared to the original PSVR, but the drawbacks are still there.
One thing of note is that PSVR2’s Cinematic Mode will be able to render at up to 120fps, so if you play any compatible games, you won’t have to sacrifice frame rate just to experience them in Sony’s next-gen headset. There’s no mention of support for 3D movies, but Blu-rays will work – as will streaming applications, such as Netflix.
It’s worth adding that if you do decide to enjoy non-VR content in PSVR2, then there’ll be no output on your television screen. This means you’re probably not going to want to use the headset if you’re planning to enjoy something with friends and family – but obviously tethering a screen to your face is antithetical to being sociable anyway.
Will you be taking advantage of PSVR2’s Cinematic Mode at all? Get behind the goggles in the comments section below.
[source blog.playstation.com]
Comments 45
Looking forward to testing this out!
I sometimes used it when the wife wanted to watch something on the main TV rather than be relegated to the bedroom, and I wanted to play a flat game. For that it was useful. It also allowed me to watch 3D movies in a way infinitely superior to a so called 3D TV, so that needs to come back.
Ultimately, it’s another output, which is always good. In theory, you can have your friends join for a cinema session too, if that’s your thing.
Glad the quality is greatly improved.
Did they update cinematic mode on PSVR? I remember being excited for it thinking I would be in a virtual space seeing a big screen in front of me. Unfortunately it was just a black background with the screen in front. If that changed or will change for PSVR2 that's exciting! I would love playing through some 2d games in a theater like setting. Also would keep me more engaged while playing (so I'm not constantly checking my phone during cutscenes).
@Jayslow
I think I’d prefer the black background rather than some strange environment. There’s a reason theatres turn the lights right down after all.
@Jayslow I think it'll just be a black background again, which I'm fine with. Maybe there's potential to add some "virtual theatres" at some point though.
Awesome! I enjoyed watching my favorite movies on PSVR because it felt like I'm in a movie theater, and I'm glad it will be even better on PSVR2!
@get2sammyb gotcha. That's what I was assuming anyway. Maybe without the screen door effect I'll appreciate it a bit more than I did with PSVR1.
@get2sammyb Am I correct in saying that 3D blu-ray support could be patched in via a firmware update?
@LN78 I'm fairly sure it was for the original PSVR, so yes. And it might be here for PSVR2 day one, I'll try and find out!
@get2sammyb If you could that would be amazing! I'm not keen on the idea having 2 separate VR headsets plugged in at the same time.
I'm definitely gonna give this a go, it could be a fun way to get some gaming time when the TV is in use and watching films on your own private cinema screen is always good. Still a bit weird we're having to rely on blogs for such information rather than a proper showcase
That resolution cap, is that for games only or does it apply to 4K movies from streaming or 4K UHD discs as well, does anyone know?
I watched Gravity in 3D in my PSVR with earplugs in on my own a couple of years ago.
I thought the immersion was incredible, so imagine my surprise when (thinking the alarms were so realistic) one of the ear buds dropped out and I realised the actual fire alarm was going off!!
Fortunately not a real fire but if it was I would have happily been toast.
They need to add the dedicated YouTube vr app to this headset, that was amazing when I tried it on my quest and it fully supported 3D video
FIFA would be interestinf if they would update it for PSVR, like a VAR mode to SEE all the action and a stadium view, so you would have the chance to visit all your favorite teams (dreaming of Old Trafford) 😇
Think I'll try Cyberpunk on it. First person will probably suit virtual screen more.
@get2sammyb the ps5 doesn't play 3d blu rays does it?
Not that enthused about using the headset just to pretend it's a TV, but a nice option anyway. If nothing else I could finally see what 2D games in >100Hz looks like as I have no other screen that can do that and I hear it's quite impressive.
@ROTTIEMAN16 I don't think it does, no.
@Futureshark Oh wow, that's a crazy story!
@Jayslow I'd much rather have the black background myself but it would be good to have a few options.
A very good feature for people who don't have a TV or maybe share one with other people.
I know it doesn't quite have 4K res but I wonder why it's scaled to 1080 and not something a bit higher, maybe 1440?
@Sil_Am
People who don‘t have a tv for sure own a ps5 and psvr2 lmao
I'm very looking forward to this. My TV doesn't support 120 fps and has a lousy black level, so I could be a perfect solution for high-framerate gaming while retaining a good image quality.
@LIMA a good HDR TV is at least 1k Euro during Black Friday, usualy 1.5 k. Anything below that won't give you proper HDR experience.
Yeah I know my oled costed me 4000. No one has a ps5 but no tv lol
@AdamNovice Can't wait to try Battlefield 2042 this way!
@LIMA I would be an example of that. I am living in a tiny apartment and will be doing so for a while. The living room simply doesn't have the space for a large TV. All my gaming is done on a 28-inch monitor, so this would be perfect for me until I can move to a bigger place
https://www.change.org/p/sony-sony-please-add-3d-bluray-playback-on-the-ps5
I was hoping for that feature. I use the PSVR1 for the same reason. I have ADHD Type 1 and for me the best way to concentrate on a game is by using the PSVR headset.
So I'm able to play 120hz games in 1080P via the headset? Which are normally reserved for HDMI2.1 television?
Great. I can live the dream and play Rocket League on a cinema screen at 120 fps.
3D Blu-ray support would make me so happy!
But I'm afraid the PS5 disc drive doesn't support 3D movie playback, so it might be a hardware issue that can't be solved via a firmware update.
@get2sammyb question is also if VRR is possible with PSVR2. What do you think?
@thefourfoldroot1 this! I Also hope 3d movie format will be supported through media player too. It was great feature on psvr1.
As I still have quite a few 3D BluRays it's a shame that 3D isn't supported.
A Cinema all to myself ……watching porn!
I hope they add the Littlestar app back for download. That was an easy was to watch 3d movies, content.... amongst other 3d stuff. Those that know, know 🤭🤭
I used the Hulu VR app for PSVR all the time before it was discontinued. I loved having a virtual living room I could escape to. I hope there are apps like that available for the PSVR2. And I really do want a 3d feature for PSVR2.
@ThaBEN
The PS4 didn't orginally have a 3d feature. It was patched in later with a firmware update, so I think it's possible the PS5 could get that at a later date.
Really hoping they add 3D BluRay support. Otherwise I'll check this out, but probably wouldn't use it for anything. If it does add 3D Blu-ray support, then this would become the best way to watch them. At least if you're alone.
I dont understand why it isn't capable of flat 4k when it can do it for VR2 games. Isn't playing a pancake game much less taxing than a VR game? Shouldn't it run better in this mode than on a TV? Maybe someone can explain.
Back in 2018 during the World Cup, the BBC allowed you to watch their live games via their BBC sport app on the PS4. You could change to different angles, watch from behind the goal, or up high in a box seeing the whole pitch. The great part about this is it had a tv hanging from the ceiling that was showing the broadcast camera angles.
The downside was the headset quality. It was too blurry to really immerse you but everything else was superb.
I really hope they have something like this again, I really do think its the future of watching sports.
@invictus4000 Because in vr they use all the screen to display a real time 3d environment. In cinema mode they have to use some of the display(pixels) for the "screen" and some display for the "space" between your eyes and the "screen". Otherwise it would be like you're watching a huge cinema screen from like 1 metre.
@LN78 Oh how I wish it could, but I'm very sad to say that it doesn't seem to be possible from what I read. The PS3 and PS4 were both capable of playing 3D Blu rays. Since the market moved away (sadly) from 3D, Sony didn't opt to include it with the PS5. Everyone stopped producing 3D TV's years ago (back to projectors) and it happened at the worst time, because the 4K screens would have solved the biggest issue with 3D. The PSVR2 would have done it so much better too with it's screen. I think there is some hope though. Do you know bigscreenVr? The multiplatform app? In the same way that VR is more than 3D, it can play 3D movies. This would be extremely easy on the PS5 if bigscreenvr or something similar hits the PS5. The PS5 can't work off of 3D discs 😭, but it can easily give us 3D movies via software. Let's hope for a good solution!
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