PSVR users have been waiting for an app that essentially lets them watch all of their favorite content with their other VR headset-owning buddies, or something akin to how Bigscreen Beta works on headsets like Rift, Vive, and Go. Sony actually created its own social VR viewing app for PSVR users in Japan, but it’s certainly no Bigscreen.

According to CNET Japan, Sony recently pushed a new update to their virtual theater app Theater Room VR that finally lets users connect with up to three other people in a spacious digital cinema. There’s no release date set for users outside of Japan, so there’s no telling if it will ever make to other PS Stores at all. However you slice it though, there’s a pretty big catch to Theater Room VR.

The big (very big) catch is that all users have to purchase the content they’re watching together individually. There also doesn’t appear to be streaming video service integration like Netflix of HBO Go, effectively leaving users to coordinate with friends and browse the platform’s video rentals.

Image courtesy Sony

While that most certainly would stymie its usership in the West, apparently the Japanese crowd doesn’t mind so much, as the app has a solid [4/5] star rating with over 500 user ratings.

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At very least, the free app has at least one stumpish, vestigial leg to stand on: asking each user to fork over between 600 – 800 yen (~$5 – $7) per person, per Hollywood blockbuster is exactly how it works in actual theaters. This is besides the fact that actual theaters have extremely high-resolution imagery worth paying for, something most VR headsets, PSVR included, can’t really boast yet. To wit, Oculus shut down their video rental service for that very reason; people just aren’t renting videos in VR to justify the maintenance of the service.

So you may be asking yourself why Bigscreen isn’t on PSVR yet, especially after the company announced it was eyeballing a 2018 launch on the platform a year prior. It turns out Bigscreen CEO Darshan Shankar tweeted out in January that the app was rejected without explanation. There could be a myriad of reasons, not least of which is the ability to be completely cross-platform—a cornerstone of the app’s appeal. However casting a gaze at Theater Room VR’s dependence on video rentals likely holds the answer to that question.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Trenix

    Resolution is not there yet to watch movies optimally, pointless. Also if you’re going to watch a movie, why would you do it in a virtual movie theater, where people can screw up your experience just as they do in real life.

    • impurekind

      For some movies, such as 3D live action, I agree. But I watched The Lion King 3D and The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (the hand animated parts) in my VR headset, both in stereoscopic 3D on a giant cinema screen, and they were honestly stunning. I am not lying when I tell you that of all the 3D movies I’ve watched in the cinema or wherever, watching those two movies in 3D in VR is the best experience I have with 3D movies so far.

      And in VR movie theaters you can turn off all other people so it’s just you in your own private cinema watching a fully 3D movie on a giant cinema screen–and even sitting on the [virtual] Moon if you like.

      When you consider that this is just gen 1 . . .

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    • Robbie Zeigler

      Wow.. you are such a moronic imbecile… You do realize the wonders of res scale right?… well I doubt it since you dont even own vr at all and its idiotic comments like the one you just made that proves it.. nvm the fact that you can make your virtual movie theater private so others cannot join in…

      • Trenix

        The closer that your face is to pixels, the bigger they appear. Therefore you must need a far higher resolution than 8k to replace a HDTV or a projector. You probably don’t even know what a pixel is, so there is no point of explaining to a wall.

        • jj

          you clearly haven’t tried it, because it works very well and is an amazing experience.

          • Trenix

            I’ve tried it, it’s not as amazing as you make it seem. The 3D movies which make you feel as if you’re in them, those are cool. As for a movie theater inside of VR? Not cool at all. Again, the closer you are to a screen with pixels, the less realistic it appears and the smaller and larger resolution you’ll need. I’d personally prefer watching movies on my HD monitor.

          • jj

            what did you try it on? because we all have, and youre the only person whos claiming it doesnt work.

            I watched the dark night and my stomach dropped variouse times from him jumping off buildings because of how immersive it was.

            So i can say without a doubt, it is a new exciting and wholesome experience that exceeds HD monitors and EVEN MOVIE THEATERS FOR PEOPLE WITH BAD EYE SIGHT. Seriously there are unlimited benefits that you’re disregarding for your assumption of a blurry image when were all telling you from experience that its not as bad as you’re making it out to be.

          • Robbie Zeigler

            Trenix is a lying broke boy.. I already called him in his bs in other discussions.

          • Trenix

            I did try it, the only movies that stood out were movies that were meant for a VR experience. The fake movie theater experience, was a waste of time. It’s good I guess if you’re surfing the web and watching youtube videos, but it’s not as impressive as you make it sound. Not even close.

          • jj

            no its pretty fucking epic, you must be using a shit headset

          • Trenix

            Or maybe you’re just blind.

          • jj

            learn to read…. i asked WHAT you tried it on. from what you’ve said ur probably using samsung vr or some cheap alternative. I’m talking about using vive pro/ pimax/rift or even oculus go is an amazing experience for movie watching. again this isnt debatable, im speaking from experience and my great experience with vr movies isnt up for you to debate or decide.

            plus nobody is agreeing with you haha

          • Trenix

            I’ve tried them with all. A virtual TV in VR is not the same as the actual thing, nor will it be for a few more decades at the very least. This is for debate, you think you’re right and I think you’re wrong. Also your ass buddy is only starting crap because he is butt-hurt from a previous argument I had with him. You just went on his sausage because he is saying what you want to hear.

          • Robbie Zeigler

            He thinks just because he spent and entire day peddling his tricycle to best buy to demo headsets for 30 minutes that were unproperly calibrated and hooked up to toasters makes him an expert.

          • jj

            also getting closer doesnt necessarily mean the pixels are changing size.
            Theyre sampled to fit the best they can going from in scene position to your face, which btw does not change distance from eyes to REAL screen of pixels because its on ur face and that doesnt change.

            so if you lined the screen up prefect with ur headsets pixels then you’d obviously get the best 1:1 ratio. if you get closer then yes it splits pixels, but thats the same case for a normal tv because the pixel data doesnt exist…. and if you get farther, they get combined to fit within fewer pixels, kind of like how as you distance yourself from a tv you cant tell 4k from 8k cause the difference is too small.

          • Trenix

            The resolution and pixel size are already set by your VR headset. Therefore, regardless of how far you’re from a TV in the game, it will still be garbage quality than when compared to a modern day TV. The VR headset simply does not have the technology to compact pixels so tightly with such high resolution and refresh rate. The top graphics cards nowadays can barely handle a 8k monitor with more than 60 hz refresh rate, in fact that’s why most 8k monitors, if any, don’t have higher refresh rates.

            This is exactly why VR headsets suffer from the screen door effect. The technology is not there yet for us to replace a TV or projector, at least not yet. A VR headset is essentially a screen right in front of your face, it’s no surprise why the quality is garbage. It’s like we’re using dinosaur monitors all over again. Why you’d pick VR over watching on a regular TV, monitor, or projector, is beyond me.

          • jj

            wanna come back when ur done smoking crack?

          • Robbie Zeigler

            Hahahah love that last response.. you completely wrecked his moronic stupid ass.

          • Trenix

            Oh so you’re the “wife” that Robbie talked about? Anyway it’s rather simple to explain and I’ve said it from the beginning. A VR headset does not replace a projector, monitor, or a TV. Therefore if you’re going to watch a movie, why you’d pick a VR headset over those choices, is beyond me. We’re also not talking about movies that make you feel the VR experience, but literally being in virtual movie theater watching a flat-screen video in VR.

            You’re essentially getting worse pixels, graphics, resolution, pretty much worse everything. Maybe you just don’t have the money for a good monitor or TV? Your Hubby Robbie been lying about being rich I supposed? No surprise.

          • jj

            yeah try again slumbo. I have 4k everything accept for my 240hz monitors. i pick a vr headset for SOOO many reasons. like super imax, isolation, light control, i can put my tv on my ceiling, I can have three tv propagate out of thin air. The benefits are endless and were all just laughing at you for finding bullshit reasons to complain. have fun in pancake mode while we have more fun in vr

          • Trenix

            Yeah you guys must be ass buddies, bragging about the crap you don’t have.

          • Robbie Zeigler

            “Bragging about crap you dont have”.. I do believe I challenged you on more than one occasion telling you I can 100% prove without a doubt that everything I say I own I actually do own so anytime you are ready for it junior just let me know…

            The last few times we went round and round you avoided the challenge completely and changed the subject because you know there are not enough bandages in the world for that hemorrhaging gaping ass wound that will surely follow after I provide you with the evidence.

          • jj

            also there is no argument here, were speaking about experiences we had vrs your assumption of an experience you have clearly not tried. So inherently, we know more about the topic than you, and have done more than a good job of clearly explaining why we like it. Yet youre still saying the same bs u started with despite us disproving you.

            So please keep going, this is great entertainment for me to see someone try to lie their way out of a paper bag they put themselves in…

          • Trenix

            My experience with it was crap, yours was full of crap. Yeah pretty much. Don’t get so butt-hurt that people disagree with you. “I was like falling off my chair!”, yeah what a drama queen. Bet your husband loves it.

          • jj

            lol you need to learn how to read bud…. you quoted a quote that doesnt exist……
            I also asked ten times now WHAT DID YOU USE as in what fucking headset you dumbass. and if u say all again, it just further confirms that you’re trolling and have never used any of them.

            Also that fact that 90% of your posts now are just about how everyone else is gay, also illuminates the fact that you can’t make a legit argument.

            You just disregard anything we’ve said or proved to you about experiences, devices, and who we are. Nobodys listening to you any more troll. but again please keep going cause this is hilarious entertainment for us

          • Trenix

            I’ve used all headsets, what don’t you get? Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Mixed Reality headsets, literally everything. Generally I use the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, but they all have their ups and downs, which is why I switch around.

          • Robbie Zeigler

            He’s clearly ass wounded because he has no friends.

          • Robbie Zeigler

            Your experience with google cardboard was spot on broke boy QQ

          • Robbie Zeigler

            Cry more broke boy QQ

          • KLEEBAN KLIBAN

            I just need to point out that with the deleted comment, the comment flow for 10th comment on is as follows:

            Trenix “You must have a real pathetic life to continue replying to me. You didn’t get butthurt, it seems like you got raped anally. At this point you seemed to have liked it, I’m pretty sure you’re gay.”

            jj “you clearly haven’t tried it, because it works very well and is an amazing experience.”

            Trenix “I’ve tried it, it’s not as amazing as you make it seem.”

            Edit: I guess I’m with Trenix?

        • Robbie Zeigler

          Of course the closer your face is to pixels the bigger they appear you moronic jack wagon.. I never disputed that nor does it have anything to do with my previous comment and you dont even own an HMD to start with.. broke boy… cry more broke boy QQ.

          • Trenix

            I like how you claim to be an adult, but continue to repeat the same insults like a child and have a tantrum. I really don’t need to make a fool out of you. You somehow manage to do that completely on your own.

          • jj

            posted to wrong comment

          • jj

            nah other way around dude, were all laughing at your dumb ass

          • Trenix

            You’re a married couple, it’s great you stick together.

          • Robbie Zeigler

            Like I said.. anytime you are ready for the proof cupcake let me know.. till then keep crying because you are a broke boy who cant afford VR QQ.

          • Trenix

            Man this child keeps going, where your parents at. Not gonna bother anymore, you’re a waste of time and space. I’m sure your entire family feels the same. Enjoy talking to yourself, low-life.

          • Robbie Zeigler

            You are not gonna bother because you know there are not enough bandages and Epsom salt avail in all of the world to fix that bleeding ass of yours that will surely follow after you see the proof. Nice cop out excuses though, keep em coming coward.

          • Trenix

            You must have a real pathetic life to continue replying to me. You didn’t get butthurt, it seems like you got raped anally. At this point you seemed to have liked it, I’m pretty sure you’re gay.

  • impurekind

    Looks pretty cool.

  • Uhm, Sony rejecting the app is so suspicious…

  • Um, Sony is first, and foremost, a media creator. Their electronics have long since taken a backseat to their media division, as noting by them not releasing a REAL MP3 player for the first 15 years of MP3’s existence. The PS3 was the first DVD player that used the internet to check the copyright stamp on DVD’s and reject burned copies. They are more them happy to sacrifice any, and all, user convenience to protect their media assets.

    This makes Sony the VERY LAST PLACE you will ever share your music and videos on.

    But this doesn’t make their Theatre app useless, as long as it can do streaming from YouTube and Vimeo. YouTube is a huge part of my life at this point, it’s about half of my TV viewing. People find plenty of amusing videos to share on VRChat’s made video-sharing rooms. I can’t find if it supports YouTube and other streaming sites, but as long as it does, it’s not completely worthless.

  • Lucidfeuer

    I really wonder about the commercial legality of rejecting apps for competition reasons on commercially open platforms…

    Not a fan of Big Screen which I find cheap and clunky, but surely there’s no reasons why Sony should be allowed to reject an app without justification under the suspicious that it’s an anti-competition decision (and I think that’s illegal).

  • Anfronie

    This is 100% Sony being anti-consumer. I would not be surprised if they come out with a clone of it in the near future for just PS ppl. Sony hates crossplay because they want to lock you in.