Virtual Reality in a Cardboard Box

For most of us the term “Virtual Reality” (VR) conjures up images of frenetic computer games, or, in the more sophisticated applications, training for fighter pilots and airline crews.  Or perhaps we remember the “holodeck” from Star Trek.  Far from the quality of VR aboard the Starship Enterprise, the consumer versions of VR players and programs were not very good; while they placed the viewer in the middle of the action, the picture resolution and realism of the video left much to be desired.  Even these less-than-high-quality viewing devices were expensive.

So when a friend asked if I would like to see a demo of his new VR viewer while on vacation recently I was not too excited.  I was even less excited when he showed me this small hand held box made out of cardboard.  Am I glad I tried it.

This particular viewer uses a smartphone, either Android or iPhone, to play the virtual reality content.  By placing the phone in the viewer and holding the viewer to your eyes like a pair of binoculars you are transported into the middle of the action. The experience is enhanced by listening to the sound with good quality headphones.

The really cool thing is that you can look up or down, right or left, even turn 360 degrees and view content as if you were standing in the middle of the action.  I saw a video of a concert featuring Sir Paul McCartney.  I was able to stand on the stage and view the concert or the audience while listening to the music.  It was awesome.  The quality was outstanding and the price unbelievable.  The viewer cost less than $25.00 and many of the VR videos are free. This particular one was from Knox Labs.  You can find them on the web at http://www.knoxlabs.com.   A simple google search for “VR player cardboard” will give you several other inexpensive options.   Most of the VR videos are available, mostly free, at the App Store.

The truly exciting aspect of affordable and effective VR content is how it might enhance news reporting.  Imagine the impact of a VR report from within a refugee camp.  How might this technology change the way we see victims of floods and other disasters?  Far from just another toy, VR technology could well have a monumental impact on changing our consumption of media and the impact of media on the audience.

Don’t let the lowly cardboard wrapper fool you.  It represents something very special.