The PlayStation VR is a great headset with an extensive library of games with some standout characters that are really worth the money. However, just because a title has a PlayStation doesn’t mean you need a PlayStation 4 to use it.
To indulge your curiosity and help some of you decide whether or not you should buy a PSVR on your own, we explain how PSVR works and how to use it without a PlayStation 4.
Current state of PlayStation VR
PlayStation VR holds the title of the most comfortable head-mounted display in our opinion, thanks to a halogen headset mount that allows the front display to dangle rather than clip onto your face. The display inside also has the least screen door effect thanks to more subpixels than the Vive and Rift.
Each PSVR headset must be connected to the included processing unit, which works with 3D audio and image mirroring on the headset display and on a separate TV at the same time — this social element is undoubtedly one of the best parts of PlayStation VR. ,
Without a processor, PSVR is practically useless. Likewise, in most cases, you won’t be able to use PSVR for real VR (i.e., more than just cinematic mode) without connecting a USB cable to the PlayStation 4 or using third party software. It’s just like that. Luckily, experienced PSVR owners have taken charge of getting the headset’s VR feature to work on PC and Mac.
Using PSVR on your PC
Without or without a PS4 to connect a USB cable to third-party software, you won’t be able to have a good time using PSVR on a computer.
For example, there is a method where you connect the PSVR to yourself before connecting to the PC — this method does not require a USB cable to be connected to the PS4.
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Connect HDMI PSVR cable directly to the computer, bypassing the processor.
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Connect PSVR power/connection cable to the processor.
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Connect cable HDMI to port HDMI PS4 on the processor. Basically, you connect the processor to yourself with this HDMI cable.
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Plug one same cable HDMI to HDMI port on the front of the processor.
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Connect 12V power cable to the processor.
You can watch 3D video side by side this way, but that’s about it. There’s no head tracking and no cinematic mode to play your 2D games on a huge screen. If you really want to use PSVR on PC, you need third party software.
PSVR Framework
A user named gusmanb on GitHub has created an open source environment for using PSVR with a PC. It gives you control of PSVR by plugging a USB cable into your PC — no need for a PS4 — so you can enjoy Cinematic Mode with just about any game or video.
We’ll be creating a tutorial on how to use the PSVR Framework after we’ve tested it, but for now, you can check out the GitHub page which contains instructions.
See PSVR Framework on GitHub
Trinus PSVR
If you want to go one step further and use PSVR with real VR games in your Steam library, you need a program like Trinus PSVR.
Great guys from Odd Sheep Gaming created this software to let your PC practically act like PS4, VR games and all. This software is under development, but we’ve got it running and we’ve been enjoying a virtual game built for Oculus Rift.
For Trinus PSVR to work properly, check out our complete guide to playing Steam on PSVR.
