Getting Ready to Enter the Future: Unboxing and First Impressions of the Oculus Rift Developer Kit 2

As I unwrapped the box containing the Oculus Rift Developer Kit 2, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. This device has been on my radar for quite some time now, and I'm eager to dive into its world and explore what it has to offer. The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including the new positional tracking camera, which reads the IR lights built into the headset.

At first glance, the Developer Kit 2 looks similar to its predecessor, but there are some notable changes that immediately catch your eye. For one, the cover can be easily popped off to access the USB and HDMI ports, making it easier to replace cables or upgrade the device as needed. Additionally, a built-in USB port allows for future accessories to be plugged in, which is a great feature that sets this kit apart from its predecessors. The biggest upgrade, however, lies inside. The 1080p OLED display runs at an impressive 75 frames per second, making it a significant improvement over the original Developer Kit.

The screen itself is sourced from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and when you put on the Rift, it's clear that this is some top-notch technology. The positional tracking camera reads the IR lights built into the headset, allowing for seamless movement and a more immersive experience. If you've never tried VR before, there are several demos available that do an excellent job of showcasing what the Oculus has to offer. One of my favorites is the Unreal Engine Coaster demo, which takes you on a thrilling ride around a beautifully detailed room.

This demo really impressed me with its attention to detail and comfort level. It's one of those experiences that makes you feel like you're actually riding an actual roller coaster, despite being seated in a chair. The combination of the built-in accelerometer and positional tracker does a much better job of tracking your head movements, allowing for precise control and smooth motion. Another great demo is Couch Knights, which takes advantage of sitting down to put an actual body into the game, making it feel even more immersive.

Games like Unpossible are a lot faster and can be disorienting at times, but even with these fast-paced experiences, the Developer Kit 2 is much more usable than its predecessor. The extra resolution helps, although you can still see pixels, but the faster refresh rate and quicker pixel switching time mean that the overall experience is a lot more realistic, with almost no smearing or blurring. Not everything is as intense as some of the other demos, however, like Ocean Rift, which is a straightforward diving demo that lets you explore the ocean and even experience jump scares when you get eaten by a shark.

One of the most impressive things about this kit is the sheer amount of content available for it. There are full games with VR support, as well as numerous mods to make other games work seamlessly with the Rift. Most of these demos work just fine, but it's worth noting that not all demos will be compatible out of the box. The kit is aimed at developers and enthusiasts who don't mind being on the bleeding edge and finding workarounds when things don't work.

Early support for Linux and Mac is available, although you'll need a Windows machine to run everything smoothly. I used a PC with a Core i7 and GTX 780, which ran everything like clockwork, albeit slightly overkill. While the hardware itself should theoretically be able to handle anything with an HDMI port, don't expect to use the Oculus Rift on any console just yet. There is Sony Project Morpheus for the PS4, which I got to spend some time with at E3, and while it's similar in many ways, the screen on the DK2 is currently better.

The Developer Kit 2 is an excellent way to get into virtual reality, but it's not for everyone. If you don't mind spending a little time getting things set up and understanding that there isn't yet a massive library of VR content just yet, then for $8 a month (with a free trial available), this kit is definitely worth considering. And if you do decide to sign up, be sure to use the offer code "austin" at checkout to get yourself 10% off – it's a great way to start your virtual reality journey.

In conclusion, my first impressions of the Oculus Rift Developer Kit 2 have been overwhelmingly positive. From its impressive specs and user-friendly design to its wide range of demos and content options, this kit has everything you need to dip into the world of virtual reality. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just looking for a new way to experience entertainment, I highly recommend giving this kit a try.

As I conclude my unboxing and first impressions of the Oculus Rift Developer Kit 2, I want to take a moment to thank Squarespace for providing me with an incredible platform to share my thoughts and experiences with all of you. Their user-friendly interface, stunning templates, and seamless drag-and-drop functionality make it easy to create engaging content without needing to spend hours learning how to code. And at just $8 a month, it's an affordable option that can help take your online presence to the next level.

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WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enHey guys this is Austin and today we’reheaded to the future.If somehow you’ve never heard of the OculusRift I’ve done a few videos on the originalversion and a couple prototypes but the DeveloperKit 2 is actually on sale right now if youwant to give VR a shot. Pop open the box andyou’ll find everything you need to get startedincluding the new positional tracking camerawhich reads the IR lights built into the headset.From the outside it’s similar to the originalRift but Oculus has changed quite a bit injust a year. Up front you can now pop offthe cover to get at the USB and HDMI portsif you need to replace the cables and insteadof having a big breakout box like before everythingconnects to this little dongle. There’salso a USB port built-in to the headset whichallows for future accessories to be pluggedin. The biggest upgrade though is inside.There’s now a 1080p OLED display that runsat up to 75 frames per second which is a hugeimprovement over the original Developer Kit.Interestingly when iFixit tore down the DK2they found the screen is pulled right fromthe Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Put the Rift onthough and it’s a seriously impressive pieceof tech. If you’ve never tried VR thereare a few demos that really do a great jobof showing off what the Oculus is all about.The Unreal Engine Coaster takes you on a ridearound a nicely detailed room and is one ofmy favorite demos as it’s nice and comfortablewhile still giving you a definite feelingof riding an actual roller coaster. Betweenthe accelerometer built-into the headset andthe new positional tracker it does a muchbetter job of tracking your head, allowingyou to do things like lean in and out. Anothergreat game is Couch Knights. Most of the bestOculus demos take advantage of you sittingdown by putting an actual body into the gamewhich does a lot for immersion. Being ableto look around to follow the action as ifyou’re sitting in an actual room is easilyone of the coolest VR experiences I’ve triedso far. Games like Unpossible are a lot fasterand can be a bit disorienting but even herethe DK2 is much more usable than the original.The extra resolution helps although you canstill clearly see pixels but the faster refreshrate and quicker pixel switching time meansthat the entire experience is a lot more realisticwith almost no smearing or blurring. Not everythingis as intense though. Ocean Rift is a straightforwarddiving demo that lets you explore the oceanwhich really shows off the huge scale thatVR can give and the jump scares when you geteaten by a shark too. There’s a surprisingamount of content that’s already availablefor the Rift including full games with VRsupport as well as lots of mods to make othergames work with the Rift. Most of these workjust fine but rarely will you just be ableto launch a demo. This is aimed at developersand enthusiasts who don’t mind being onthe bleeding edge and finding workaroundsfor when things don’t work. There is earlysupport for Linux and Mac however you basicallyhave to use a Windows box right now. I useda PC with a Core i7 and GTX 780 which raneverything smoothly, slightly overkill butyou’ll need hardware that can essentiallyrun a pair of 1080p screens at a locked 75frames per second to get the full experience.While the hardware itself should theoreticallywork on anything with an HDMI port don’texpect to be using the Oculus Rift on a consoleanytime soon. There is Sony Project Morpheusfor the PS4 which I got to spend some timewith at E3 which is similar in a lot of waysalthough the screen is quite a bit betteron the DK2 at the moment. The difference isthat you can order the latest Oculus Riftright now where the Morpheus is at least ayear away. The DK2 is a great way to get intovirtual reality but it’s not for everyone.If you don’t mind spending a little timegetting things to work and understand thatthere isn’t a massive library of VR contentjust yet then for $350 the Oculus Rift DeveloperKit 2 is totally worth it. However unlessyou’re a major nerd it’s probably bestto wait for next year for the consumer versionto be released alongside major titles likeEVE Valkrie. Either way I think VR is hereto stay. So what do you guys think, definitelybe sure to let me know in the comments below.Anyway I’ve got to give a big shoutout toSquarespace for making this video possible!Squarespace is the all-in-one platform thatmakes it fast and easy to create your ownprofessional website or online store. I’verecommended Squarespace to my friends fora while because it really is dead simple,there’s no need to spend all day learninghow to code, it just works. There are tonsof great looking templates to choose fromthat let you drag and drop content right inand they all work great on a phone, tabletand computer automatically. It starts at just$8 a month however for a free trial head overto squarespace.com/austin. When you decideto sign up just use the offer code austinat checkout to get yourself 10% off and letthem know I sent you! Anyway guys thank youso much for watching and I will catch youin the next one!