Device hub · VR / spatial · Desk research

PlayStation VR

Original PS VR is a PS4 + PlayStation Camera + breakout-box headset, not standalone and not PS VR2.

Disclosure: Affiliate programs are not enrolled yet. See Affiliate disclosure. This page is manufacturer desk research, not a hands-on test — see Methodology.

In short

Original PS VR is a PS4 + PlayStation Camera + breakout-box headset, not standalone and not PS VR2. FOV is “approx. 100°.” Headset grams conflict across Sony documents (600 vs 610). Original PS VR games do not run on PS VR2.

Who it is for

  • PS4 owners who still have (or can find) a PlayStation Camera and want the original PS VR library Sony says is not compatible with PS VR2.
  • Writers comparing Sony’s own PS VR vs PS VR2 FAQ table (960×1080 / ~100° / ~600 g vs 2000×2040 / ~110° / ~560 g).
  • People who need the CUH-ZVR1 vs CUH-ZVR2 revision note without inventing a second product name.

Who should skip it

  • Anyone shopping current Sony VR. That job is PlayStation VR2 on PS5 (optional PC adapter).
  • Buyers who want standalone or Meta Quest Store. This headset needs a PS4, the processor unit, and the camera.
  • Shoppers who need one unambiguous headset gram number. US specs ≈600 g; ANZ manual and 2016 SCEI press ≈610 g.
  • Children under 12. Sony: headset is not for use by children under age 12.

Key differentiators

  • OLED 5.7-inch; 1920×RGB×1080 (960×RGB×1080 per eye); 90/120 Hz; approx. 100° FOV.
  • External PlayStation Camera tracking + DualShock 4 / Move; HDMI/USB processor unit (3D audio, Social Screen, Cinematic mode).
  • 2016 launch core $399 USD; camera required and not in the core box (FAQ).
  • CUH-ZVR2 keeps the same panel/FOV; processor unit drops to ≈300 g and later boxes show integrated headphones (FAQ).

Caveats

  • Weight conflict: US/UK/CA/SG tech specs ≈600 g excluding cable vs ANZ CUH-ZVR1 manual ≈610 g vs SCEI 2016 press ≈610 g. Flag all three; do not average.
  • Launch $399 / $399.99 is 2016 RRP. Do not print it as a 2026 street price.
  • No official PC path on the cited Sony pages. Do not invent SteamVR for original PS VR.
  • No hands-on testing.

VR-category specs

Same rows on every headset hub (Vision Pro, Quest, Galaxy XR, PICO, PS VR2). FOV, weight, and battery cells quote the manufacturer footnote — they are not lab measurements.

PlayStation VR — key specs
AttributeValueSource / note
Display typeOLED; 5.7 inchesPlayStation US PS VR tech specs (CUH-ZVR1)
Display resolution1920 × RGB × 1080 (960 × RGB × 1080 per eye)PlayStation US PS VR tech specs; SCEI 2016 press
Refresh rate (OEM)120 Hz, 90 HzPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Field of view (OEM claim)Approximately 100 degreesPlayStation US PS VR tech specs; PlayStation Blog PS VR FAQKeep “approximately.” PS VR2 on Sony’s later FAQ table is approx. 110°.
Optics / lensesNot named pancake/Fresnel on the US tech-specs pagePlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Chip / processorNo standalone headset SoC. Compute is the PS4. A separate processor unit.PlayStation US PS VR tech specs
RAM / unified memoryNot a headset RAM SKU (PS4 system memory)PlayStation US PS VR tech specs
On-device storageNone listed (games live on PS4)PlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Operating systemPS4 system software. Requires a current system-software update (ANZ manual)ANZ CUH-ZVR1 instruction manual; PS VR FAQ
TrackingPlayStation Camera required (FAQ). Headset sensors: accelerometer and gyroscope (US specs). Camera tracks headset, DualShock 4, and MovePlayStation US PS VR tech specs; PlayStation Blog PS VR FAQ
ControllersDualShock 4 and/or PlayStation Move (sold separately on the core SKU). Aim controller exists as a later accessory — not in the 2016 core boxPlayStation Blog PS VR FAQ; SCEI 2016 included list
Other inputIntegrated microphone. No eye tracking on the cited spec pagesPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
PC / console tetherRequired. PS4 + processor unit (HDMI TV, HDMI PS4, USB, HDMI, AUX) + headset HDMI/AUX/USB. No official PC / SteamVR path on the cited Sony pagesPlayStation US PS VR tech specs; SCEI 2016 press
IPDNot publishedPlayStation US PS VR tech specsDo not invent a mm window.
WeightUS tech specs: headset approx. 600 g excluding cable; CUH-ZVR1 processor unit approx. 365 g. ANZ CUH-ZVR1 manual and SCEI 2016 press: headset approx. 610 g excluding cablePlayStation US tech specs; ANZ CUH-ZVR1 manual; SCEI 2016 pressOEM conflict. Quote both 600 g and 610 g. Do not average. ZVR2 processor unit is approx. 300 g — different box, same visor mass line on the US page.
Passthrough / see-throughNot listed as a camera see-through feature on the US tech-specs page. Social Screen on the TV is mirroring / separate mode, not Quest-style color MRPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Eye trackingNot listedPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Battery — headset (OEM)Tethered visor — no headset battery-hour row. Powered through the processor unit / cablesPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Battery styleWall/console tethered headset + AC adaptor for the processor unit (SCEI included list)SCEI 2016 press
Charging (OEM)Headset has no pack to charge. Processor unit: AC 100–240 V in, DC 12 V 3 A out (ANZ manual). Move / DualShock charge on their own accessoriesANZ CUH-ZVR1 instruction manual
AudioIntegrated microphone; stereo headphone jack. SCEI 2016 box: stereo headphones with earpieces. ZVR2 later packaging shows integrated headphones (FAQ)PlayStation US PS VR tech specs; SCEI 2016 press; PS VR FAQ
WirelessHeadset is wired to the processor unit. Not a Wi-Fi standalonePlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Glasses / prescriptionNot publishedPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Platform / account lockPS4 + PlayStation Network. Sony later: original PS VR games are not compatible with PS VR2PlayStation Blog PS VR FAQ; PS VR2 FAQ
Age / intended use (OEM)PlayStation Blog FAQ: age 12 and up. ANZ manual: VR headset is not for use by children under age 12PlayStation Blog PS VR FAQ; ANZ CUH-ZVR1 manual
US list price (dated)SCEI 16 March 2016: $399 USD recommended retail (also ¥44,980 / €399 / £349). PlayStation Blog FAQ: core $399.99 USD; Launch Bundle $499.99 USD with Camera, two Move, PS VR Worlds. 2026 street not capturedSCEI 2016 press; PlayStation Blog PS VR FAQ
Price bandLegacy console-tethered (2016 $399 core; camera extra)SCEI 2016 press; PS VR FAQ
Announced / introducedGlobal launch October 2016 (SCEI). FAQ: available 13 October in the US narrativeSCEI 2016 press; PlayStation Blog PS VR FAQ
AvailabilityNot publishedPlayStation US PS VR tech specs; PS VR FAQ

PlayStation VR extras

Unique to this line or SKU. Other headsets keep the first table aligned and swap this extras list.

PlayStation VR extras
AttributeValueSource / note
Model lockH1 is CUH-ZVR1. CUH-ZVR2: same OLED / 960×RGB×1080 / 90/120 / approx. 100°; processor unit ≈150×39×114 mm and ≈300 g vs ZVR1 ≈143×36×143 mm and ≈365 gPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
Headset mass conflictUS/UK/CA/SG tech specs: ≈600 g excluding cable. ANZ CUH-ZVR1 manual + SCEI 2016 press: ≈610 g excluding cable. Do not averagePlayStation locale tech specs; ANZ manual; SCEI 2016 press
Processor unitRequired breakout box. Functions: 3D audio, Social Screen (mirroring / separate), Cinematic mode. ZVR1 ≈365 g; ZVR2 ≈300 gPlayStation US PS VR tech specs
PlayStation CameraFAQ: you need the PS Camera to use PS VR. Sold separately, or inside the $499.99 Launch BundlePlayStation Blog PS VR FAQ
In the box (SCEI 2016 core)Headset, processor unit, headset cable, HDMI, USB, stereo headphones + earpieces, AC cord, AC adaptor. No Camera, no MoveSCEI 2016 press
Sony table vs PS VR2PS VR: 960×1080 per eye, approx. 100°, approx. 600 g, external camera. PS VR2: 2000×2040, approx. 110°, approx. 560 g, four embedded cameras. Games are not backward compatiblePlayStation Blog PS VR2 FAQ
Headset dimensions (OEM)Approx. 187 × 185 × 277 mm (W×H×L, excludes largest projection, headband at shortest) — US specs and SCEI press agreePlayStation US PS VR tech specs; SCEI 2016 press

Overview

Original PlayStation VR stays a first-class hub because the installed base and the “does PS VR2 play my games?” query do not retire. The H1 is CUH-ZVR1. CUH-ZVR2 is a revision extras row.

Sibling: /vr/playstation-vr2/.

Display and FOV

OLED, 5.7 inches, 1920 × RGB × 1080 (960 × RGB × 1080 per eye), 90 / 120 Hz, FOV approx. 100°. Sony’s later PS VR2 FAQ table is the clean sibling: 2000 × 2040, approx. 110°. Keep every “approx.”

Weight conflict (do not average)

Sony documentHeadset mass
US / UK / CA / SG tech specsApprox. 600 g excluding cable
ANZ CUH-ZVR1 instruction manualApprox. 610 g excluding cables
SCEI 16 March 2016 pressApprox. 610 g excluding cable

Processor-unit mass is a different cell: ZVR1 ≈365 g, ZVR2 ≈300 g. Do not add the box into the visor gram.

Camera, box, and tether

Core 2016 box (SCEI): visor, processor unit, cables, headphones, AC adaptor — no Camera, no Move. FAQ: Camera is required. Launch Bundle was $499.99 with Camera, two Move, and PS VR Worlds. There is no official PC adapter on these pages (that path is PS VR2-only).

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Is this PlayStation VR2?

No. This hub is original PlayStation VR (CUH-ZVR1). The current Sony headset is /vr/playstation-vr2/.

Does PS VR2 play these games?

Sony says original PlayStation VR games are not compatible with PS VR2.

How much does it weigh?

Sony does not agree with itself. Live US tech specs say approximately 600 g excluding cable. The ANZ CUH-ZVR1 manual and the 2016 SCEI press release say approximately 610 g excluding cable. We print both.

Do I need the camera?

Yes. The 2017 FAQ says you need the PlayStation Camera. It was sold separately on the $399.99 core SKU.

What about CUH-ZVR2?

Same product name, later revision. Same OLED, resolution, refresh, and approx. 100° FOV on the US specs page. The processor unit is lighter (≈300 g vs ≈365 g). We do not give ZVR2 its own slug.

Age limit?

FAQ: 12 and up. ANZ manual: not for children under 12.

Official product page: PlayStation VR. Specs: PlayStation VR specs.