Were you lucky enough to pick up a PlayStation VR yesterday? Do you also own an Xbox One or PC? Then you'll get a little extra bang for your buck than you expected - it turns out that Sony's virtual reality headset works surprisingly well with rival machines.
The PlayStation VR features a "cinema mode" that offers a floating screen on the headset's visor. It essentially mirrors the action from the PlayStation 4 from any 2D source, letting you use the headset even for applications and games not specifically made for PS VR.
And, thanks to the way the PlayStation VR's processing box works, that feature can be used with, well, pretty much anything that makes use of HDMI video output.
How it works
Essentially, all you need to do to get the PlayStation VR to work with a non-PlayStation source is to plug the device's HDMI lead into the port intended to receive signals from your PS4.
PlayStation VR's processing box effectively works as a pass through unit, letting the cinema mode be activated on anything from a set-top box to a Wii U or Xbox One.
Now, there are some considerable limitations with this process, as you'd expect from something not officially supported by Sony. Plugging into a PC, for instance, will let you view your desktop and workspace apps, but don't expect HTC Vive or Oculus Rift games to work as true virtual reality applications. The PS VR headset is merely replicating a monitor in this instance.
Similarly, while you can play Gears of War 4 on your Xbox One through the PS VR's huge simulated IMAX like screen, you won't benefit from any of PS VR's head-tracking smarts (allowing you to focus on portions of the screen) as the console's camera won't be active.
It's a nice little extra then, just be aware of its limitations.
- It's the virtual reality headset to beat - read our full PlayStation VR review
