How To Remove Vive Pro Headphones
Quick Verdict: Viewed purely from a VR perspective, the increased specifications offered by the HTC Vive Pro 2 headset provide an unmatched feel. However, it's a case of iteration not evolution, as well reliant on older supporting tech.
When VR outburst onto the scene in 2022, it was the HTC Vive that led the charge. The Oculus Rift and Sony's PlayStation VR headset offered compelling alternatives, but if you wanted the very best quality, the HTC Vive got the nod. Several variants arrived in the years that followed, most notably the upgraded HTC Vive Pro in early 2022, simply the quality bar was always set to the highest standard.
Come up 2022, the next phase of virtual reality technology is starting to discover its anxiety. Oculus Quest 2 has made strides in the wireless VR infinite. Valve Index has brought finger-tracking technology into the mix. While Sony's PlayStation 5 has the hardware might to bring high-quality VR with PSVR 2 to the console space.
Into this fight storms the HTC Vive Pro 2. It comes out swinging, there'south no incertitude. But it'south on tired feet and doesn't quite land the knockout blow.
Features
- Best in class 5K display
- Brandish Stream Compression keeps minimum specs competitive
- Real world interface improvements
- Backwards compatible
The legacy of the HTC Vive headset demands quality and the HTC Vive Pro 2 steps up. The 5K brandish — made of two x 2.5K displays — with a 120Hz refresh rate and 120-degree field-of-view is every bit good as it gets. Those 2.5K displays are fast-switch, existent RGB subpixel, dual-stacked LCD screens also.
To better handle the higher information that comes with existence able to enjoy visuals in greater detail, the HTC Vive Pro ii utilizes Display Stream Compression. As I will go into beneath, this does a decent job, relatively, of keeping the minimum PC specifications down.
Elsewhere in the headset y'all'll detect the same built-in loftier-res headphones and integrated dual microphones. As for sensors, there'south a M-sensor, gyroscope, proximity sensor and IPD sensor all funneled through SteamVR Tracking V2.0.
There are forepart-facing cameras that make for an in-depth convenient experience, combined with some improvements to the Steam VR interface. It's much easier to activate passthrough so you tin see the real world without taking off your headset, likewise as remotely view and interact with your desktop. This negates you from having to repeatedly remove your headset to reduce fogging issues.
Everything else in the headset is older engineering science already available. I'll go into detail about the pros and cons of this in my concluding verdict below, simply the chief pro is that it'south fully backward-compatible. This means peripherals such as the Wireless Adapter, Vive Tracker 3.0 and the Facial Tracker will work only fine, as well equally all the software available through VivePort and Steam VR.
Image: Chris Stead/Finder
As for a cons overview, information technology'due south easiest to explain by pointing to the features that the HTC Vive Pro 2 doesn't take.
The headset doesn't have congenital-in cameras for tracking, dissimilar the HTC Vive Focus 3 which has four. The controllers don't accept the finger-tracking of Valve'southward own Index, nor the improved battery life found in the new HTC Focus 3 controllers.
The centre-tracking of the Vive Pro Eye is absent too. And information technology's still tethered to the PC, although that's a necessary evil if y'all desire the very best visual experience.
HTC Vive Pro 2 minimum specs
Of course, your PC must be proficient plenty to run the VR software. Even the almost rudimentary experiences crave some serious might equally the software effectively needs to run twice simultaneously to create the VR effect, one time for each center. That said, despite the increased visual acuity of the HTC Vive Pro 2, the minimum PC specs aren't too outrageous.
Minimum CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 | Memory: 8GB RAM | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX1060 or AMD Radeon RX48 | OS: Windows eight.one or Windows 10 | Video out: DisplayPort ane.2 | Ports: ane ten USB 3.0
Recommended CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 | Retentivity: 8GB RAM (or more) | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 | Video out: DisplayPort ane.4 | Ports: 1 x USB 3.0 | Bone: Microsoft Windows 10
Setup
Image: Chris Stead/Finder
- Requires a lot of space
- Challenging for engineering science newcomers
- Poor ability cablevision design
- Laptop must have correct ports
In the almost future, VR aficionados will look dorsum at the HTC Vive Pro ii setup requirements similar we were pathetic cavemen.
I should preface what comes next past proverb that I beloved VR — I call back it's a truly futuristic and heed-blowing experience that'south worth its setup pains. Merely yous've got to know what you're getting into. If yous don't, you may not only detect yourself frustrated, only unable to even use the device you have just purchased.
Be warned, you demand a significant space to successfully employ HTC Vive Pro 2. The company itself suggests a 6m x 6m room, but that's ludicrous. Who has that?
Happily, I tin tell y'all I used it in my 4m x 4m loungeroom, which included a large Fifty-shaped burrow, without also many bug. But when I drew out my play space during setup, running the controller around the border of the infinite where y'all can play, I merely crept over the minimum threshold.
The base stations too need proficient line-of-sight on that space. The recommendation is to mount them on your walls, which is obviously an invasive request and requires some basic carpentry knowledge. Alternatively, you can spiral them into stands — sold separately — which is the approach I took.
Image: Chris Stead/Finder
Got plenty power points?
Y'all demand so many ability points: one for the headset, and one each for both base of operations stations. You then demand another 2 if yous want to charge your controllers between uses. Plus a sixth if y'all are playing off a laptop, as I did, since gaming volition drain its bombardment in a jiffy.
All the plugs have large, boxed ends that bespeak to the correct. This means yous can't sit them next to each other in a dual wall power bespeak, or even a quad power-board.
Why they couldn't alternating the way they faced, left then right, I'll never know. That's lazy blueprint.
Finally, your computer or gaming laptop needs to exist USB-C- or DisplayPort ane.2-enabled. You can't go a DisplayPort to HDMI adaptor and await any joy. And I won't even become into all the software downloading of all the software and device syncing of all these devices, which is a chore in itself.
I'one thousand not going to lie: I found the setup a really painful procedure. I had cables and power boards everywhere; had to motility a lot of stuff to go the infinite correct; needed to buy additional tech to brand parts piece of work; and had hits and misses trying to become everything to sync properly. I base of operations station even had to exist replaced.
I got it all working in the end, but setting up the HTC Vive Pro ii could be a bridge too far for consumers who aren't technologically savvy. In my opinion, this is counter to what you expect when yous're paying for high-end tech. Nevertheless, this could simply still be the necessary evil for those who want the ultimate VR experience in 2022.
Design
Paradigm: Chris Stead/Finder
- Amend display in same footprint
- Very comfy with improved weight distribution
- 57mm to 70mm lens range
- String is heavy and cumbersome
When yous place the HTC Vive Pro and the Vive Pro 2 next to each other, it can be tough to tell the difference. Indeed, if non for the blackness front on the Pro 2 versus the bluish front of the original, you could easily become them confused. They are more or less identical in appearance.
Information technology's to HTC's credit that it has been able to upgrade the quality of the display inside the same headset footprint, without making it whatsoever bigger or heavier. And it'due south an easy headset to adjust to multiple sizes and shapes likewise. The dial that moves the back strap is robust, potent and reactive, while the front piece offers a 57mm to 70mm interpupillary (IPD) aligning range.
My kids used it as effectively every bit I did as a result, and switching between our vastly unlike head sizes was a breeze.
I would take liked to see some design evolution, with the headphones built into the device. They produce surprisingly skillful sound, especially in the manner they block out ambient noises. I love the mode they tin exist moved outwards when y'all demand to hear the exterior world and repositioned over the ears.
The on-cup volume is handy, only if they sabbatum over the ear rather than against them, it would provide added headset support plus better immersion and comfort.
While the two headsets may wait identical, you can feel a noticeable difference when you put them on. The new HTC Vive Pro 2 feels much more counterbalanced with its weight distribution.
The premium padding too ensures no pain points on the face and blocks all external lite. There's no dubiousness that it'south heavy, but the pattern is smart enough for it to remain comfortable over long sessions.
The biggest drawback is the thick heavy cord that dangles from the dorsum. There'southward been no comeback hither. I also constitute that information technology twisted and tangled on itself easily, reducing the length available and creating a tripping chance.
Image: Chris Stead/Finder
Using your own audio
The option is available to HTC Vive Pro two owners to remove the built-in headphones and instead connect their own headsets. If you've already got a not bad gaming headset, this reads like a welcome feature.
However, its design is a bit cumbersome. You lot must remove the face cushion to find the USB-C port and then connect it and supercede — there's no 3.5mm sound jack.
It'due south awkward and feels destructive, and I wish the USB-C port was more easily accessible.
Operation
Epitome: Chris Stead/Finder
- Stunning VR experience
- Impressive tracking
- Lots of fun games
- Slight blur at screen edges
It may encounter that I'thousand being quite critical of the HTC Vive Pro 2: I'll acknowledge to belongings this device to a loftier standard. It does come at a premium price, after all, and pitches itself as a premium offer.
A lot of what I found in the design, features and setup didn't always meet the standard of what I expected from it. But when it comes to performance: Wow!
Ultimately, it's the VR experience yous're coming for and if you can deal with the fringe shortcomings, and then the operation of the device volition blow you abroad. It looks infrequent and it sounds great. This is true immersion.
And that extra clarity in the display makes a major difference, blurring the line betwixt what we might look a game to look similar within and outside of VR. The "screen door effect" that has plagued VR is all but eradicated in the HTC Vive Pro two.
It'due south not all roses, though. The fashion the new display is built in seems to have created some peripheral blurring. I noticed a kind of "weathered glass" appearance along the edges when moving my eyes virtually.
It's a bit distracting, but encourages you to movement your head rather than your eyes to explore worlds. Once you're immersed, you tend to forget nigh it.
And to farther clarify: Relying on old tech — like 3-twelvemonth-old controllers — bites back when information technology comes to issues like battery life. They barely last six hours or so.
Prototype: Chris Stead/Finder
Impressive tracking
The chief title I tested on the HTV Vive Pro two was the brilliant Half-Life: Alyx. Plainly, the VR headset is heavily reliant on the quality of the software, only when you friction match it with a game equally nuanced in its design and craft as One-half-Life: Alyx, all that the HTC Vive Pro two has to offer shines through.
While I lament the setup, the tracking is impressive. I was unable to test Vive Tracker iii.0 or Face up Tracker, which are additional costs even on the bundle offering.
But the Base of operations Stations 2.0 still evangelize 1:ane, instantaneous controller and head tracking. In particular, I was amazed by how subtle hand movements, like flicking your wrist, had real in-game effects.
Other titles I tested included the beautiful Moss, the arcade boxer Gorn, underwater survivalist title Subnautica and I also mucked around with Google World VR. The clarity and the buttery-polish performance is a world away from what yous might take experienced dorsum in 2022. The library of titles now available is diverse and rewarding.
If you lot desire nothing simply the best, and so you lot have your answer. You only demand to be open to spending coin and patient with your setup to go it.
Should yous buy the HTC Vive Pro 2?
- Purchase it if money is no object in your pursuit of the best possible VR feel on the market.
- Don't buy information technology if you don't have the space and patience to ready it all upwards properly.
Information technology'due south important to annotation that the HTC Vive Pro 2 isn't the fully-fledged sequel that its proper noun would imply. Indeed, it'southward released predominantly equally a headset but, significant existing gamers in the HTC Vive ecosystem don't need to start from scratch with their unabridged setup. They only demand to switch out the headset.
On paper this might seem like a fan-friendly approach. Only there's a take hold of. While you do go a much-improved VR headset that's considerably better than its predecessor and anything else out in the market, it's express past its predecessor's connective engineering science.
It's still tethered by a thick and cumbersome cablevision that is forever in your way. The controllers are three years old and don't take that side by side pace of offer finger-tracking support.
And it notwithstanding relies on base stations that require some serious infinite in order to enable room scale. Then, it's a instance of more of the same merely improve. Iteration, not evolution.
Is that proficient plenty when yous're retailing for up to $799? And what if you lot're new to the scene: Do y'all desire to pay $1,399 for the full setup, where half the technology is dated out of the box?
Those are the questions y'all need to ask yourself. I can't help but wonder if the Vive Pro 2 volition cease up remembered as a minor stepping-stone, similar a mid-gen console update, in the years to come. But damn, y'all can't argue with the end experience. It'south VR at its nigh stunning and subsequently I soldiered through the set up-up pains, I was truly diddled away.
Pros
- Stunning VR feel
- Best display on the market
- Very comfortable headset
- Large and diverse software library
Cons
- Expensive, peculiarly given it's not a full new ecosystem
- Too reliant on crumbling connective technology
- Set-up is a mission
- Blur at edges of FOV may exist distracting
Pricing and availability
The HTC Vive Pro ii retails for upwardly to $799 for the headset only. There are some bundles available for those entering the HTC Vive ecosystem for the starting time time, but be watchful of them. Full kits can run you anywhere between $1,050 and $1,399. The HTC Vive Pro 2 was released on June four, 2022.
Specifications
Minimum
Intel Cadre i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350
Nvidia GeForce GTX1060 or AMD Radeon RX48
Windows 8.i or Windows 10
Recommended
Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700
More guides on Finder
Source: https://www.finder.com/htc-vive-pro-2-vr-review
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