Up close with LG's VR headset prototype

Remember the LG VR 360? No? It doesn't matter: the new LG VR prototype looks worlds better. It's based on the same technology as the HTC Vive, and it's got some cool additions too. Let's take a peek at what's new.

First off, the design has a very PlayStation VR-esque feel, with a comfy padded headband and a screen you can pull in and out instead of strapping it against your face.

Also, you can flip up the whole front of the headset quickly -- it snaps into place -- if you need to get back to the real world.

Like the Vive, LG's headset uses Valve's Lighthouse base stations, which house spinning laser emitters that sweep the room and land on the optical sensors built into the headset and controllers. That's how they know where they are, so you can walk around the room.

But with LG's headset, some of those sensors are behind mostly opaque plastic, so it doesn't look like the headset is peppered with holes.

Here are the new controllers. Updates include a slightly better grip, slightly different positions for the buttons, a second program-dependent app button, and what LG claims is slightly better tracking.

The controllers' curve reminds me of a Star Trek: The Next Generation phaser. Thus this photo.

Here's a picture of the full setup.

The headset uses a standard USB-C cable to connect to its breakout box, which in turn connects to your gaming PC.

Here's the breakout box -- not it has a DisplayPort video input, instead of HDMI.

The LG HMD Prototype's comfy head padding. Look familiar?

Here's the padding on the back portion.

There's a camera in the front of this prototype, but it's not yet turned on.

Right now, there aren't any integrated headphones, but there's a built in 3.5mm headset jack inside the headband, on the right.

The whole demo room.

One last picture of our LG VR experience.