"Drifting" in virtual reality (VR) is described as the feeling of moving while standing still or watching objects around you shake without reason. One of the reasons you may experience drifting issues while using your PlayStation VR (PSVR) is light. If there is too much light flooding into your PlayStation Camera it won't be able to track the lights on your headset or controllers to properly display what you should be seeing. Here are a few solutions for you to check out so that your PSVR experience can go back to being as immersive as possible.
Products used in this guide
- Amazon: PlayStation VR Creed: Rise to Glory + Superhot Bundle ($250)
- Amazon: Sure Luxury Mic Stand ($23)
- Amazon: Grey 6x4 Foot Play Mat ($81)
- Amazon: Double-sided Scotch Tape ($11)
- Amazon: 2 Green LED Lightbulbs ($9)
- Amazon: 24-Pack of Microfiber Cleaning Cloth ($13)
Making sure you are set up properly
Always make sure you position yourself about 6 feet away from the PlayStation Camera. When you have friends or family who are all different heights playing in VR, you want to make sure the Camera itself is at chest level when setting it up. After you have your Camera plugged in your next step is to go through these steps to make sure it's in the right position.
- Press and hold the PS button to open the Quick Menu.
- Select Adjust PlayStation VR.
- Select Confirm Your Position.
- Center yourself in the area the screen will show you!
To make the whole process easier you can also use a clipped mic stand. Not only will this mic stand to help you move the camera in any direction you want, but it can also move vertically to match the height of whoever is playing.
Check your current light sources
When there is too much of a glaring reflection or the light source is too bright it will cause the PlayStation Camera to have a bit of an issue when tracking the Move controllers and headset. Thankfully you can check to see how much light your Camera is picking up right from the main menu.
- Select Settings from your PlayStation menu.
- Select Devices.
- Select Adjust Tracking Lights.
If you see a dark blob on the screen it means that is a light that is too bright. You'll need to adjust the light source from wherever it is coming from until the dark blobs on the screen are gone.
Changing the color hue of your room
If you have tried everything above to remove your tracking issues with no avail, I definitely recommend changing the hue to the color in your room so that it is more solid and easier for the PlayStation VR to track! We've found that changing the base color of the room around you will help your PlayStation Eye Camera track better. Since the blue light on your headset does not change (like the lights on your controllers do) you'll need to use a color that will combat that part the most. Popular speculations have used yellows and found they work well, but green is the most efficient.
Dealing with reflective floors
Tile or hardwood floors can be extremely reflective, but there is something you can do if you checked the lighting sources in your room and found that most of them are reflecting from your floor. By using a play mat you can effectively block the light from reflecting on the surface of your floor. If you are using a rug that doesn't have a textured bottom you will definitely need some double-sided tape to secure it safely to the ground. The last thing you want to do is slip on a loose rug and fall blindly while playing in VR.
Make sure it's clean
- Use a damp rag to gently clean the surface of the bulb.
- Use microfiber cloths to dry the bulb completely before use.
Your PlayStation picks up the colors emitted from your Move Controllers, Headset, and Aim Controllers to tell how you are moving so it can plug those motions into the game. If the bulbs on your controllers are dimmed or affected by any layers of dirt or grime go ahead and clean those off to boost their performance!
Amending your current lighting issues
Did you find any dark blobs on the screen while checking for the light sources in your play space? Have you tried everything you could to stop the camera drift? Fret not. Here are some solutions for you to check out that will help with your lighting problem so you can improve your tracking.
One bundle to rule them all
This bundle includes the PlayStation VR headset, two Move controllers, the PlayStation Camera, Creed: Rise to Glory, and SuperHot VR. Jump into some VR gaming with the perfect bundle to get you started!
The PlayStation VR is one of the easiest forms of VR to get into. Setup is a breeze and all of the configurations are pretty simple to figure out. You can go from a beginner VR fan to an absolute pro in no time at all. There are countless games and apps for you to try out and that means there's something for every interest. Whether want to relax and stream your favorite shows or throw punches in Creed: Rise to Glory you're bound to find something you'll love.
Additional Equipment
Any of these products will make your life a lot easier when it comes to fixing drifting and tracking issues you may be experiencing while using the PlayStation VR. Some of them speak for themselves, but be sure to read above for all the tips and tricks on how to use these to your advantage!
Sure Luxury Mic Stand
This Sure Luxury mic stand is perfect for improving VR tracking. The adjustable features and gentle clips make it ideal for your personalized PlayStation Camera set up. You can twist the stand and any direction to make sure it matches the height and angle you need.
Double-sided Scotch-Mount Tape
Double-sided tape is perfect for securing play mats to the ground. This not only increases the safety of your gaming session to give you peace of mind. Besides, good tape should be in every home's junk drawer because there are endless uses of tape in every home.
6x4 Play Mat
A play mat is perfect for any living room. It makes any virtual reality session more comfortable for your feet and still looks stylish! This means there doesn't have to be any cleanup between sessions. You can move all your furniture back to their spots and your home will still look great!
2 Green LED lightbulbs
Green lights combat the blue lights on the headset the best. The PlayStation Move controllers can change colors based on the environment around them, but the headset can't. This means you'll want to use green hues, the best opposing color to blue, to give your PlayStation Eye the best shot at tracking your movements!
24-Pack of Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
When you think about microfiber cloths you usually only assume they're good for glasses, screens or computers, but that's not true! There's plenty of uses for them with your PlayStation 4 as well.
Deconovo Blackout Curtains
If all else fails it might be time to turn your room into a dungeon. Remove all the light sources from the outside world by getting yourself some blackout curtains! If there's no light to interfere with the camera you're sure to improve tracking.
