Recently virtual reality (VR) applications are shifting from professional use cases to more entertainment-centered approaches. Therefore aesthetic aspects in virtual environments gain in relevance. This paper examines the influence of different color determining parameters on user perception habits between head mounted displays (HMD) and computer screens. We conducted an empirical study with 50 persons that were asked to adjust the color temperature, saturation and contrast according to their personal preferences using a HMD as well as a computer screen, respectively. For cross validation we tested a second user group of 36 persons that were asked to adjust the color temperature exclusively. By using a set of five different panorama images-each of them representing an exemplary scenario-we have found that color perception differs significantly. This depends on the used output device as well as gender: i.e. females preferred a significantly colder color scheme in VR compared to their preferences on the computer screen. Furthermore they also chose a significant colder color scheme on the HMD compared to their male counterparts. Our findings demonstrate that content created for conventional screens can not simply be transferred to immersive virtual environments but for optimal results needs reevaluation of its visual aesthetics.
2. Motivation
Working Desk/Screen
the place where VR is designed
the place what consumers are
used to (TV, PC, handheld, …)
vs.
Head Mounted Display
the place where VR is consumed
the place consumers have no
experience
10. Hierarchy of Genres
Introduced through André Félibien in 1669
Since then used as a general categorization for genres in art (painting)
genre portrait history landscape still life
11. Hierarchy of Genres: 360° Photography
genre portrait history landscape still life
20. Setup (Test 1)
randomized starting parameters
randomized order (start with HMD or PC)
three free parameters to adjust
temperature in steps of 100K from 1.000K up to 10.000K
contrast as root mean square
saturation in granular steps of 0,001 from 0 to 1
22. Color Calibration
Because headset is not suitable for standard calibration tools we use
a DSLR with macro lens as calibration tool to ensure
uniform brightness
consistent color rendition
by using a “middle gray” and the used five test images
22
27. 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Genre
History
Landscape
Portrait
Still life
Male
Female
Color Temperature (Test 1)
Cohan‘s d for Monitor vs HMD
Cohan‘s
d
irrelevant relevant
28. Results (Test 1)
There are significant differences in color preferences between HMD
and PC screen in respect to gender:
contrast shows limited effect
saturation shows medium effect
color temperature shows the most pronounced differences
2nd Test: Verify results by adjusting only the temperature.
30. Setup (Test 2)
temperature
lowest extrema neutral highest extrema
randomized starting parameters
randomized order (start with HMD or PC)
one free parameters to adjust
temperature in steps of 100K from 1.000K up to 10.000K
31. Color Temperature (Test 2)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
11000
Genre
History
LandscapePortrait
Still Life
Female Monitor
Female VR
Male Monitor
Male VR
32. Cohan‘s
d
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Genre
History
Landscape
Portrait
Still life
male
female
Color Temperature (Test 2)
Cohan‘s d for Monitor vs HMD
irrelevant relevant
38. Conclusions
content produced on standard hardware (i.e. desktop PC) needs tweaking
if it wants to tap the full potential of VR
color correction needs to be aware of the desired target group
females prefer colder color schemes for HMDs compared to PC screens
males tend to prefer the opposite: slightly warmer colors compared to
their preference for PC screens