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Oculus Rift: Heads-on with the next generation of virtual reality (pictures)

At CES 2014, the CNET crew got a chance to strap on Oculus VR's latest development headset. Here's how it looks from the outside.

David Katzmaier
David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
David Katzmaier
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Oculus Rift Crystal Cove prototype

LAS VEGAS -- Here at CES 2014, Oculus VR showed off the latest prototype of its 3D virtual reality headset. Code-named Crystal Cove, it offers improved resolution thanks to a 1080p OLED screen inside. Its biggest innovations, however, involve real position tracking via those little LEDs and a camera, and low image persistence. The latter aims to eliminate motion smearing by blinking the display to black, much like blinking backlights in LCD TVs.

The result is the most immersive VR we've seen yet. What follows are a bunch of photos of CNET editors' expressions as we experienced the latest demos. In other words, dudes with a big thing strapped on their heads.

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Position tracking plus controller = gamplay options

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He's watching...

...the image inside the headset, not the TV.
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Big, but light and comfortable

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Position tracking: Look up, see the sky

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Looking off to the side

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Yes, it was awesome

We'll have a full write-up and video of the experience soon.

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