The Playstation virtual reality headset is one of the many virtual reality headsets available on the market. The headset and its accessories all come together in a single box once you order it, but it still requires some setup after you receive your new VR gear. There are also multiple different ways to set up the system and headset. In this article I’ll explain how to set up Playstation VR so you can get gaming ASAP.
At the most basic level, you will set up the Playstation virtual reality system by plugging everything into its rightful place and turning the headset on. After that, you will need to set up a virtual reality account and adjust a few of the system settings, such as the camera position.
The following article offers a more detailed, step-by-step guide on how to set up the Playstation virtual reality system.
It also includes a few common issues users may run into, and I explain how to troubleshoot these common problems so you can get up and gaming as soon as possible.
Let’s dive in!
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Traditional Playstation VR Setup
The first step in setting up the Playstation virtual reality headset traditionally is to plug everything into its rightful place.
The headset comes with a large amount of cables, and plugging them into the proper place is important to make sure the headset functions correctly.
Step 1
The first step is make sure you have a Playstation four or five available, as the headset will only work with those console models.
You then have to unplug the HDMI cable from the back of the Playstation four or five, and connect the cord to the port labeled “HDMI TV” that’s located on the back of the PSVR headset processor unit.
This is the black box that comes with the headset. Plugging the HDMI cable into this box is what connects the headset to your television.
Step 2
The next step is to connect the PSVR camera to the AUX port on the Playstation four or five console.
You will then have to connect another HDMI cable to the port labeled “HDMI PS4”, also located on the back of the PSVR processor.
The cable will also work with the Playstation five, and the cable goes in the same place. This connection will send the video from your television to the PSVR headset.
Step 3
After all of the HDMI cables are connected, connect the USB cable to the back of the PSVR processor unit, and then to the Playstation four or five console.
Step 4
The next cord you need to connect is the AC cord to the AC adapter, and then plug that cable in to the back of the PSVR processing unit, and then connect it to a wall outlet.
Step 5
The last few cables you need to plug in are the PSVR headset cables. These cables have symbols on them to indicate which ones plug into which ports on the processing unit.
Step 6
Finally, place the PSVR camera on top of your television. You can then connect headphones and turn everything on. Once everything is plugged in, you will have to do a few extra set up steps on the camera to make sure it functions properly.
To position the camera, you want to place it around the same height as your head. This will ensure that the camera is able to see the PSVR headset while you’re playing.
You should also angle the camera slightly downward so that it can see your body and be able to track your movements and the controllers well.
Make sure the camera isn’t in direct sunlight or near any light sources, since this can interfere with its tracking ability. If you need to, then you can cover up lamps and other light sources that are near the camera to avoid tracking issues.
Playstation VR PC Set Up & Compatibility
You can also connect your PSVR headset to your PC, but the steps to set it up are a bit different.
You will still need an HDMI cable and a USB cable, but you will also need something called Trinus PSVR download. This download tricks the headset into thinking it’s plugged into a Playstation 4 or 5 console and playing on a TV.
When in reality, it’s connected to your PC. The download is available for free installation on the PSVR website.
Once the Trinus PSVR installation is complete, plug the HDMI cable into the matching port, like you did when connecting the headset to your TV. Just make sure to plug the other end of the cable into your GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit.
Next, plug the USB cable into the same places as you would if you were hooking the headset up to your TV, except it’s the USB port on your computer.
The last step is to turn on the headset and do a few display adjustments.
To make these adjustments, go to the Settings menu and select system, then display.
You want to make sure that the headset extends the display dimensions, so that you’re able to see the games properly. You also want to make sure that the resolution is at 1920 x 1080, since this resolution will make the game appear the clearest.
Once those steps are complete, you can start playing.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
A few common problems when setting up Playstation VR include:
- Solving image issues
- Calibrating the headset
- Fixing connection issues
There are multiple issues in each of these general categories that you may need to troubleshoot.
Image Display Issues (and how to fix them)
The main issues that you may encounter when connecting the PSVR to your television or PC are display issues. A few common image issues include:
- A distorted image
- No image at all
- The image is wrongly sized
PSVR Image Distorted or Glitching
If the image displayed on the headset looks distorted or it’s glitching, then you’ll need to take steps to address this problem.
The main solution that will solve most image distortion problems is unplugging the headset. Wait three to five seconds, then plug it back in. If that solution doesn’t work, then there are a few other options that could solve the problem.
The next solution is to bypass the PSVR headset connection cable and plug the headset directly into the processing unit. If this solution fixes the problem, then there might be an issue with the headset connection cable.
This can be solved by taking it to a professional. If image issues are still occurring after this, then your headset definitely needs to be repaired or replaced.
PSVR – No Image Appearing
If there is no image appearing at all, then unplugging and plugging the headset back in will likely also solve that problem. But what if that doesn’t work? Well, then the processor unit that all of the audio and video is sent through might not be turned on.
Make sure the processor unit is turned on and everything is connected properly. If no image is appearing, then it’s recommended that you take your headset to a specialist for repairs.
Incorrect Image Size on PSVR
Finally, if the image is wrongly sized, you need to change your screen size dimensions in the settings menu. You might have to try out a few different dimension options until the image fits nicely into your headset screen.
If the image still doesn’t look right after following each of these troubleshooting steps, bad news. Your headset will need to be repaired or replaced.
Issues Calibrating Your Playstation VR Headset
Calibrating your headset will solve a plethora of issues that may occur when using your new Playstation VR gear. But calibrating the headset involves a few different steps depending on what Playstation console you have.
If you have a Playstation 5, then calibrate your headset by going into settings and selecting the accessories option.
From there, select Playstation VR and then adjust headset position, and move the headset around until the image is clear.
You can also calibrate the headset’s camera by selecting the Adjust Playstation Camera option. Then you’ll move the camera around until it fits the image correctly.
If you have a Playstation 4, then the steps are somewhat in reverse. Press the PS button on your controller for about three seconds, or until the quick menu opens.
From there, select the Adjust Playstation VR option and scroll down until you see the Adjust Headset position option. Then move the headset around until the image can be clearly seen.
If you want to adjust the camera, then you can go to settings, then devices, then Playstation VR, and then Adjust Playstation Camera.
Move the camera around until the image is clearly seen. If calibrating your headset doesn’t fix the issue, then you will need to take it to a specialist.
Playstation VR Headset Troubleshooting
Finally, troubleshooting the headset will fix the majority of any connection issues you may be experiencing.
You can usually tell if your headset is having connection issues if the video or audio is glitching out, or the headset is having trouble loading on your television or PC.
To solve any connection issues, first make sure that the plugs are fully plugged into the correct places. If the plugs are all in place, then make sure the processing unit is on.
You also want to make sure that each of the plugs and ports are kept clean and dust free. Dust and dirt particles can prevent the plug from fully connecting to the port, thus resulting in connection issues.
If none of those solutions solve the problem, then there might be another issue that needs to be repaired by a professional.
Final Thoughts
Setting up the Playstation VR headset is fairly straightforward, but there still might be some issues that come up.
Fortunately, the majority of them can be solved by troubleshooting the headset. But as long as you follow the steps and ensure your headset is compatible with your television or PC, then you’ll be able to play virtual reality games after setup is complete.
