Rokoko Headrig vs. FaceCam iPhone HMC:

Review & Comparison

For comparisons of nearly every iPhone face mocap helmet,
please check out our comprehensive guide.

In this post, we compare Rokoko Headrig with another mocap helmet: FaceCam iPhone HMC. Which one will best suit your needs and capture requirements? Read on.

 

Headrig

Rokoko’s Headrig offers a cost-effective, entry-level, facial mocap solution compatible with iPhones models X-16. (The Plus and Max iPhone versions are not supported, however.) Though the helmet claims to offer comfort and ease of use, its limitations are apparent, when compared with a professional mocap helmet, such as FaceCam iPhone HMC.

Headrig uses a slim, U-shaped, support boom that has an iPhone mounting bracket in the center of the U. A ratchet knob shortens or lengthens the capsule-shaped headpiece ring that encircles the head. The attached counterweight can be removed, to make the helmet lighter, although the overall balance of the HMC can suffer: The weight from the iPhone can cause the helmet to tilt forward, making it more susceptible to fast motions — facial tracking is even less stable.

Headrig is not well-suited for facial mocap involving fast, dynamic, simultaneous body motions. Simultaneous capture of body motion is challenging, in such circumstances. As a workaround, one can perform separate takes for the facial and body motions: The face capture will be performed without fast motion, and a separate take for the body motion will not include the facial capture. Reliance on use of a ‘dubbing' approach is tedious and time consuming:

• It doubles the number of takes required.
• Editing together separate face and body motions in order to create the illusion of simultaneous capture is painstaking, tedious, work: It involves a lot of extra steps.
• The realism of the final animation often suffers, as a result.

Price: $295
Warranty: 1-year parts and labor
Return Policy: 30 days

 

Key Strengths:

• Low budget, entry-level helmet option suitable for hobbyists and students with limited resources
• Flat-rate international shipping ($50)
• Includes removable counterweight
• Ratchet adjustment allows tightening/loosening
• No chin strap required

Considerations:

• Limited stability during fast motions and jumping: The iPhone can move, relative to the face, during capture. That can cause strange artifacts that are difficult to fix — often requiring multiple takes to resolve.
• Headrig’s limited head contact surface area decreases helmet stability.
• Tightening the helmet merely increases the force applied via the front and back padding. The the force applied to sides of the helmet does not increase. Unlike FaceCam iPhone HMC, the helmet does not offer any stabilizing contact with the lower back of the head or the side the head, ('sideburn area'), between the cheek and ears.
• Uses a strap at the top of the helmet to support it on the head: this strap does little to stabilize the helmet. It would be unnecessary if the helmet made better all-around head contact.
• Helmet needs to be removed so performers can drink.
• The boom’s thin cross-section seems susceptible to vibration during faster motions.
• There are a number of gaps along the inside ring of the helmet where hair could get caught: between the padding and the ring, around the boom attachment supports, and where capsule-shaped ring contracts during during tightening.
• Potential hygiene issues. The website does not mention pad cleaning or availability of spare pads, which are advisable when a helmet will be shared.
  
• Headrig's counterweight:
  • Makes the helmet heavier than necessary, potentially causing neck strain.
  • Isn’t adjustable: It cannot be 'tuned' to optimize weight compensation provided for different iPhone models. Accordingly, the helmet cannot handle the weight the heavier Plus and Max iPhone versions.
  • Is used inefficiently, since it attaches directly to the helmet, without any offset, for leverage.

 

FaceCam iPhone HMC by Radical Variance

FaceCam iPhone HMC was designed and developed by Standard Deviation, winner of a 2020 Academy Award for their motion capture innovations. They applied lessons learned during more than a decade producing customized motion capture helmets for some of the most demanding blockbuster movies and games. That is why FaceCam iPhone HMC is considered a truly professional face mocap helmet. It gracefully captures the performer's facial expressions during the most demanding stunts, acrobatics, and performance, while comfortably providing stable data capture for creation of exceptional 3D character animation.

The helmet features an open-crown design to keep your talent cool-headed. Its innovative metal alloy construction conforms to, rather than clamping, the performer’s head. Two five-piece sets of memory foam inserts, in two thickness, foster the perfect balance between fit and comfort for each actor. Different head shapes and sizes, and even big hair styles, are easily accommodated by mixing and matching the the thicknesses. The foam is easily hand washed and dries overnight. Extra sets of foam are available for purchase; therefore, every performer can benefit from use of fresh, hygienic, foam, even when the helmet is worn by several performers throughout the day.

The helmet design, materials used, and its construction, along with the uniquely adaptable memory foam, provide ideal fit and stability during even the most vigorous motions and during extended capture sessions.

The optional counterweight has an adjustable offset to provide ultimate comfort, balance, and reduced neck strain, when acting or recording dialog. Alignment with the plane of the helmet’s boom arm further enhances stability.

Key Strengths:

Construction

• Extremely durable: iPhone HMC is built to last and to minimize lost production time.
• Handcrafted from advanced metal alloys, the helmet provides superior conformity to performer's head, (size and shape), for perfect fit and comfort. Other helmets mostly clamp to the performer’s head, with little or no actual conformity.
• The helmet’s uniquely supportive shape, as well as its construction from strong, yet flexible, materials, provides stable capture even during stunts and acrobatics, without use of annoying, motion-altering, chin straps.
• Open-crown design provides excellent ventilation and comfort
• Toolless, single ratchet tightening as well as multiple additional adjustments are provided. No tools near face!
• Precise, comfortable fit assures performer is allowed full freedom of expression: Eyebrow, forehead, cheeks, and jaw, are not constrained.
• No sharp or pointy edges
  
• Relied upon for mission-critical high-stakes productions:
  • Nickelodeon Super Bowl (2024): Real-time mocap of SpongeBob & Patrick Star
  • Fox TV’s Alter Ego (2021)
  • Riot Games: Pentakill III interactive concert
  • Numerous South Korean live motion-capture based performances

Boom Arm

• iPhone support boom arm arm is made from a unique composite material. It is rigid, for stability, yet dampens vibration between iPhone and helmet, to minimize phone shaking
• Single boom arm doesn’t block actor’s line of sight: actor can even drink without removing helmet, for less down time between takes.
  

Foam

• Included memory foam is provided in two different 'mix and match' thicknesses, for the ultimate fit, stability, and comfort.
• Extra sets of spare foam are available: providing outstanding hygiene, whenever the helmet will be shared.

Counterweight

• Optional counterweight is adjustable, (‘tunable’) to accommodate all TrueDepth iPhones, including Plus and Max. Provides optimal weight balance, stability, increased comfort, and reduced neck strain, especially during longer capture sessions.
• Counterweight is in the same plane as the boom arm, for superior balance.
  

Tracker Mount

• Optional mount for attaching an optical marker, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), or Vive trackers, above the head

Considerations:

• Higher investment compared to DIY or competitors’ entry-level helmets
• Does not ship to certain regions (China, Russia, Nigeria, Cuba)

Conclusion

For professional users prioritizing comfort, stability, adaptability, and hygiene, FaceCam iPhone HMC is the clear winner. Its production-proven design and construction fulfills the rigorous demands of professional users. Conversely, Rokoko's Headrig presents itself as a viable option for those new to mocap or working with limited budgets, but it falls short in the stability department.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the quality of a mocap helmet dramatically affect the face animation one can produce?

Yes. FaceCam iPhone HMC is designed for professional performance, stability, durability, and comfort. It is trusted by professionals for live broadcasts, virtual production, and content creation for facial motion capture. Its precision-focused design ensures stable, natural facial animation even during long sessions.

Does FaceCam iPhone HMC support all TrueDepth iPhone models?

Yes. FaceCam supports all iPhones from X through 16. Its optional tunable counterweight keeps the helmet balanced and stable regardless of phone size, including Plus and Max models, which some competitors' products do not support.

What are the key benefits of FaceCam over Rokoko Headrig?

FaceCam offers greater comfort, stability, and long capture session support. It features a rigid vibration absorbing boom arm, mix and match memory foam padding, which is swappable for hygienic multi-user use. Rokoko’s Headrig is more entry-level and may require a lot of additional takes, due to inherent stability issues.

Is the FaceCam helmet adjustable and hygienic for multi-user use?

Yes. FaceCam includes hand-washable memory foam pieces in two thicknesses, allowing you for perfect fit and stability, along with ideal hygiene for each performer. This makes it ideal for studios and live team environments where multiple people may share the HMC in a single day.