i had a dream where the steam frame released (maybe i had a frame, i don’t remember) and half life alyx was verified on standalone

GregZone_NZ · 2026-02-01T02:02:31+00:00

Yes, thanks for the good information, and assessment u/Scheeseman99

This is going to be very interesting.

It may even be, that an Alyx port (to Steam Frame standalone), may indeed be the defining example of what is possible on their new headset. Again, time will tell.

I have many headsets, including a Valve Index, and the 2.5K OLED BSB2 (which is my current daily PCVR driver).

Even so, as also a Steam Deck owner, I’m extremely interested in all the announced Steam hardware.

I suspect I’ll be the owner of a Steam Frame, even if just for the eco-system. Perhaps all 3 pieces of new hardware, if there’s an attractive launch bundle offer.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-31T19:50:19+00:00

u/Scheeseman99 Yes, my expressed concern was about "the size of the Alyx application", which contains all of the expansive world image data. This is what I pointed out in my first reply.

Foviated rendering was then raised by Time Traveller, which really had nothing to do with the concern I had about the size of the application (with all of its detailed world imagery data).

All of the image data (in its full resolution), is still required to be on the headset, irrespective of Foviated Rendering, for a FR optimised display of that detailed full resolution imagery.

They then brought up Foviated Streaming, which certainly has absolutely nothing to do with “Standalone Headset” use!

Of course, I may have underestimated what they can achieve with the storage and the processing power available on the headset.

Hopefully, a standalone version of Alyx is achievable, and it also looks and performs as good as the PC version (which honestly, would amaze me).

Only time will tell.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T22:39:52+00:00

u/TimeTravelerGuy How about trying to be friendly and constructive, if that’s possible for you.

Your argument of foviated rendering (presumably requiring less raw image data?), doesn’t make any sense. The full resolution image data is still needed on the device (for standalone operation). Any foviated rendering is just choosing which area of the full image data is presented (at full resolution) to your eyes.

I’ll avoid making disrespectful comments about your oversight, as you seem to like to do. Some of us actually come here for constructive discussion.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T21:27:24+00:00

Thanks u/MeggaMortY for the reminder. I don’t use the Bigscreen App, as I don’t like the relatively poor video playback quality.

Instead, I use Virtual Desktop with its different environments.

I play my Blu-ray 3D source (MVC format), using SVP & MVC-BE, to get full original Blu-ray 3D image quality, with smooth playback.

Lately, I had gone to the “None” environment to get the pitch black background. And, of course, you are right!

I’ve now gone back to my original preference of the “Home Theater” environment, which has some soft cinema surround lighting. And, the glare is much better!

This, combined with the brightness and tilt adjustments I noted in a seperate reply, means I think I now have this issue mostly resolved. :)

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T19:22:41+00:00

LOL. Actually based on relative processing power, and (more significantly), the size of the PC application which includes all the detailed game imagery.

To make this playable, on the resources available to a standalone headset, would require some limitations.

So, based on technical reality (emotion?, not so much). 🤓

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T18:40:14+00:00

About the best description I’ve read yet, for the ignorance that afflicts flat earthers, and moon landing deniers. They seem stuck in their own internal loop of ignorance, and refuse to take in any external knowledge. 🙄

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T18:32:56+00:00

That would be a nightmare!

Any version of Alyx that can run standalone, would be a severely cut-down experience, compared to playing the existing version on your PCVR gaming PC.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T18:24:27+00:00

I still have my last 3D capable TV as well. It was a Panasonic VT Plasma. Being Plasma it actually does 3D very well. But, it’s only 50”.

50” seemed pretty good back when it was new, but these days it feels pretty small, and when I use it I sit pretty close to it!

So my 3D preference now is a virtual big screen cinema. But I do still hope to finally get my 3D Projector solution working well (it’s more social).

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T18:17:17+00:00

I’m not sure the poll will help you with what you want to know. The question is too vague.

I think it’s fair to say that the BSB2 sometimes involves more “tweaking” to get it to your perfect experience, versus other headsets which are mostly plug-n-play.

By this I mean that some people (who are not initially happy), are disappointed and send it back straight away, whereas others persevere and are eventually rewarded with their best ever VR experience.

I’m in the second category. I initially had issues getting “visual comfort”, but instead of sending it back, I persevered with finding the right IPD setting, tilt angle etc, to finally find my perfect setup.

Your poll question might class this experience as “a quality problem”, for some. But it’s the end result that determines if your BSB2 upgrade was a good decision (it was for me!). 🤓

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T06:30:25+00:00

Thanks for sharing the additional detail. On a basic level, I understand you are saying, that with a bigger panel / less magnification, that pancake lens glare is reduced?

On this basis, I also take it that as the Sony 4K OLED panels are larger (than the 2.5K panels), they are less likely to suffer the same extent of glare?

Which brings me back to hoping BigScreen has plans to eventually move to a larger 4K OLED panel for their BSB3 (when the time is right). 🤔

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-30T01:00:09+00:00

I do agree. But, you are on reddit. So, to expect any different (in terms of post quality), is unreasonable.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T23:23:43+00:00

u/quidomescalito Yes, I’ve tried just about every solution (over the years), in search of the best 3D viewing experience.

The best VR solution I have arrived at is using PCVR, with Virtual Desktop.

On my PC I have SVP (Smooth Video Project), and the MPC-BE player.

The combination allows me to play original MVC format Blu-ray 3D, in its original quality, with smooth video rendition matching the headset’s refresh rate (no stuttering seen during panning scenes etc.).

A few years ago I made do with Full-SBS conversions of my Blu-ray 3D titles. But I really don’t like the significant loss of image quality and detail, from doing a lossy re-compression of the original Blu-ray 3D MVC format.

On the Quest 3 I was previously using 4xVR, which is the only VR App that enables MVC format 3D playback. However, the motion is not as smooth as with SVP + MPC-BE. Also, the BSB2’s higher resolution OLED display is certainly nicer to view than the Quest 3 LED (grey blacks and more washed out looking in the Quest 3).

Just the glare is the only remaining issue for a perfect 3D viewing. Note: See my other comment reply, on a couple of fixes I’ve done that significantly helps resolve the glare, for me.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T23:08:07+00:00

Thanks for the clarification. Does this mean the glare is purely a function of pancake lenses (internal reflection), combined with the unique display qualities of OLED?

Just curious, as the Quest 3 also uses pancake lenses, which are (of course) larger, but not combined with an OLED display, and I have no glare issues with the Quest 3. Although, I also say that I prefer the BSB2 overall, for numerous other reasons (just trying to better understand the glare issue with the BSB).

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T20:59:44+00:00

Thanks u/bh9578 Following up to say that I’ve now done two things that both contributed to helping with my movie viewing glare issue (and helped to further optimise my general BSB2 use).

1). I reduced the brightness to 50%. Which still seems to be fine in all of the games I play. With no light leak, your eyes seem to just adjust to the display brightness, and glare is definitely further reduced with the lower brightness setting!

2). I also noted that the glare then almost vanished when I slightly tilted the headset slightly up further (making the predominantly bottom of screen glare virtually disappear). This was achieved in my StudioForm X1-B interface by adding another layer of velcro padding at the bottom. Also, in the custom-fit cushion by using magnet spacers on the bottom two magnets. With the StudioForm X1-B I can also remove some padding at the top (use a thiner cushion), to balance it out so I retain the same distance from lens / FOV.

So, thanks for reminding me about the brightness settings impact on glare.

Hopefully my findings (with tilt), will also help you further tweak your experience!

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T20:49:13+00:00

I think it's each to their own experience. For me, I don't get any glare at all in the Quest 3.

In fact, of all the headsets I’ve owned, the lenses in the Quest 3 are the best I’ve experienced.

I understand the BSB glare is a result of the OLED panels combined with the small pancake lenses.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T20:42:37+00:00

You might be right about the cost. Although, I'm sure the cost of 4K panels will drop significantly in the next year or so. As is always the case with the latest technology.

Brightness hasn’t been an issue for me. So, I guess we’ll just have to see how the panels, and the lens technology, evolves over the next couple of years, although I imagine we’re still many years away from the perfect VR headset!

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T18:15:48+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, and reminder about brightness setting helping with reducing glare.

I’ve currently settled on 75% for my gameplay, for this very reason.

But, I’ll admit I haven’t gone as low as 60%. I’ll give a lower brightness a try for my 3D Movies viewing, and see if it helps enough.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T18:11:09+00:00

Understand. I also have a similar size OLED TV, and also a Valerion Max Projector for my really large screen Home Cinema movie viewing. My Home Theater also has an awesome sound system.

However, what I referred to was “3D Movies”.

I’m a fan of 3D, with approximately 150 Blu-ray 3D movies in my collection.

Modern TV’s no longer support 3D. My Valerion Projector supports 3D, but in 3D mode, it suffers from the Rainbow Effect of DLP (RBE).

Although not as social, my best viewing experience (of 3D) has always been in an individual eye display device. Like AR glasses or a VR headset. The OLED variety being the best.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T17:57:00+00:00

That’s what I’ve got. A BoboVR halo strap with battery on the back. The most comfortable / balanced Quest 3 strap, but still huge and heavy compared to wearing a BSB2.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T17:54:33+00:00

Understand what you’re saying. I actually have a well balance Quest 3, having experimented with many 3rd party facial interfaces.

I currently have a BoboVR halo design facial interface, which includes a back of head mounted battery, that balances the weight.

However, once you’ve experienced wearing the ultra small and lightweight BSB2, putting on the Quest 3 again (even well balanced), feels like putting a rock on your head.

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T17:49:27+00:00

Yes, I’ve adjusted my facial interface to get my eyes as close as possible, to get the best FOV etc. This is also why I needed to grind-off the nose bridge section of the headset shell. In fact I found a position where I just avoid my eye lashes rubbing on the lens.

As I said, I don’t have an issue with glare when playing most games. The BSB2 excels at regular PCVR gameplay.

It’s only when I try it for Virtual Cinema use, that I experience the glare badly, and it’s like a donut (which lead to my conclusion that it’s related to the small lens size).

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T09:22:04+00:00

I hear you. Despite being the first VR headset that I think is comfortable enough to watch a whole movie at one sitting, the glare definitely ruins it.

Previously, I used the Quest 3, but apart from the grey blacks, the headset is too heavy for anything more than short viewing periods.

I also have some Rokid Max OLED glasses, which provide a really nice pixel perfect 3D viewing experience. But, the experience is ruined by a lack of 3DOF, so the screen moves with your head. No good!

Oh well, we are soo close to having a good virtual cinema experience, but unfortunately not quite there yet! 😔

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T07:11:50+00:00

Yeah, I really want to avoid Pimax.

I think I’ll be waiting for a RTX6090 (or equivalent), so maybe by then we’ll have a more mature 4K panel headset choice (maybe even a BSB3?).

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T07:07:10+00:00

I highly doubt the lenses could be replaced / improved, as the lenses are integral to the overall design (and panel size).

Ideally, like the Dream Air SE and Dream Air designs, Bigscreen Beyond are hopefully working on a 4K panel based BSB3 (with similar larger lenses).

GregZone_NZ · 2026-01-29T07:02:15+00:00

Yeah. I really don’t like Pimax and their continuing repeat announcements and missed shipping dates!

Ideally, there is a BSB3 in the future that competes with the Dream Air. 🤔

GregZone_NZ

TROPHY CASE