Helsinki based Basemark has created a simple device called the Trek which works with their forthcoming VRScore benchmark to measure the latency of VR headsets in both left and right eyes.

The VRScore Trek is an elegantly simple device that consists of three pieces of plastic, two photodiodes, and a cable that ends in the same 3.5mm plug you’d find on your earbuds. From a fold-flat state, the unit pops up quickly and can be raised and lowered to align the prongs with the left and right lenses of a VR headset.

vrscore treak basemark vr latency testing (2)

The Trek plugs into a PC via that 3.5mm jack (presumably into the Microphone-In port); using the PC to coordinate timed flashes on the VR headset’s display, the Trek then sends analog measurements of brightness right through the microphone port. The VRScore benchmark takes these readings and compares timing of the flash command and the actual flash to determine latency.

vrscore treak basemark vr latency testing (5)

At GDC 2016 Basemark CEO Arto Ruotsalainen showed me the simple device and told me that it can measure latency with sub-millisecond precision. The patent-pending unit is included with the Corporate version of VRScore which is available via Basemark’s early access program and Benchmark Development Program. A free version of the benchmark will be made available to consumers in June.

See Also: First Look – VRMark Benchmarking Suite Analyzes VR Headsets & Hardware

Basemark is collaborating with game engine maker Crytek on the creation of VRScore which the company says can test the performance of VR games, video, and spatial audio.

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Ben Lang
Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • psuedonymous

    Do they bundle a USB ADC with a known processing latency?

    • MasterElwood

      Maybe they run a few audio signals to measure the ADC latency and take that into account.

      • Rob B

        Still confused how they might do that. How do you measure ADC latency in isolation? You can measure in+out audio latency together at most from my understanding.

        • Rob B

          Maybe it includes an LED output as well so it can measure the difference between that source and the screen source.

  • I just read all the product lit. It really measures “headset” latency? Then why does it say you can run it “with or without an HMD?” It seems its much more about measuring system events > CPU > GPU > monitor pixel latency than it is about headset performance.

    • MasterElwood

      The BENCHMARK you can run without a HMD – not the latency test part.

  • John Smith

    Guys,if you have time take a look at our new forums that we have just recently launched related to Virtual Reality…Consider joining us here: http://vrforums.org/