HTC Vive

Description

HTC Vive is a line of virtual and mixed reality headsets produced by HTC Corporation. The brand currently encompasses headsets designed for use with personal computers as well as standalone headsets such as the Vive Focus line, Vive Flow glasses, and the Vive Elite XR mixed reality headset.

The first-generation Vive was announced in 2015, as part of a collaboration with video game studio and distributor Valve Corporation, and implementing its VR software and hardware platform SteamVR; the first-generation consumer model was released in April 2016. It has since been succeeded by newer models with upgraded specifications. HTC has also released accessories that integrate with the Vive and SteamVR, including sensors for motion capture and facial capture.

Since 2021, HTC has targeted the Vive line towards the business and enterprise markets, moving away from the consumer market.

HTC Vive implements “room-scale” virtual reality, whereby a user can walk freely around a play area rather than be constrained to a stationary position. The controllers and headset use a positional tracking system; multiple external base stations are installed in the play area, which each contain an array of LED lights, and two infrared lasers. The lasers are attached to rotating spinners which sweep the play area vertically and horizontally with timed pulses (similarly to a lighthouse, hence they are also colloquially referred to as “lighthouses”). The headsets, controllers, and other compatible accessories contain photosensors which detect the LED lights from the base stations, and then compare them with the timing of the laser sweeps in order to determine their relative position in 3D space.

The first-generation HTC Vive headset contains two OLED display panels with a resolution of 1080×1200 per-eye, with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a 110 degree field of view. It contains a accelerometer, gyroscope and proximity sensor, and a front-facing camera used for the “Chaperone” feature, which can display the boundaries of the user’s chosen perimeter or the view of the camera in order to help guide the user away from objects and walls in their play area.

The headset must be connected to a supported PC using a “link box”, which contains USB 3.0, HDMI, and power connectors. The Vive initially required computers running Microsoft Windows. In February 2017, support was added for Linux, followed by support for macOS in June 2017. However, SteamVR support for macOS was discontinued by Valve in 2020, with the company stating that it planned to focus solely on Linux and Windows moving forward.

The Vive uses motion controllers referred to as “wands”, which contain circular trackpads similar to the Steam Controller, a side “grip” button, a trigger, and an infrared sensor ring for tracking the base stations.They are rated for a battery life of six hours. Later models of the wand controllers implement SteamVR 2.0 tracking, and are coloured in blue to match the Vive Pro.

The Vive Cosmos ships with a different controller due to its Inside out tracking; unlike the “wand” controllers, they are nearly identical in design to the Oculus Touch controllers, with each controller having two face buttons, an analog stick, a trigger and bumper, and a grip button.

Most HTC Vive headsets implement the SteamVR platform, and support all games and software which use it. HTC also operates its own first-party storefront known as Viveport, which includes a subscription-based service with unlimited access to participating games, as well as curated storefronts intended for commercial clients such as entertainment centers and workplaces.

In 2022, HTC unveiled a platform known as Viverse, which is designed to integrate first and third-party metaverse, VR, collaboration, and Web3 platforms.

– This headset is discontinued.

– This headset requires a connection to a PC in order to be used.

– This headset has a low per-eye resolution. 1080×1200

– This headset has a high horizontal field of view. 108°

– This headset requires external base stations for full tracking capability.

– This headset can be purchased with two 6DoF controllers.

More About this item

• FLEXIBLE PLAY AREA – Use VIVE seated, standing or in a space up to 11’5″ x 11’5″. SteamVR Tracking provides the most ideal experience possible, so play the way that works for you.
• FULLY IMMERSIVE – Realistic movement and actions from precise, 360-degree controller and headset tracking with realistic graphics, directional audio and HD haptic feedback in the virtual world
• POWERED BY STEAM VR – Enjoy over 1500 games for SteamVR, plus everything you love about Steam, including new releases, automatic game updates and millions of your closest friends
• PLAY SAFER – The Chaperone system warns you when you reach the boundaries of your play area and the headset’s front-facing camera gives you a glimpse of the real-world when you need it
• VIVE VIDEO – An immersive, cinematic VR video player for standard, 3D, 180 and 360 degree videos. Available free on VIVEPORT and Steam.
• VIVEPORT INFINITY – Get 2 months of unlimited VR play of 700+ games & apps. Code included in box.