Review of the HTC Vive wireless adapter: no cable, no AMD

Only HTC Vive, with its room-scale VR functionality, offers an immersive virtual reality experience that transports you to virtual worlds. However, there is a ubiquitous cable you need to consider that keeps you connected to the real world. The Vive wireless adapter solves this problem and lets you forget the physical world and experience the virtual reality without worrying about walking or tripping over a wire.

The freedom offered by the Vive wireless adapter gives the headset the impression of being a brand new product. It's wonderfully liberating to play a game like this Master VR Swordwhere you are constantly spinning to engage opponents sneaking on your side, or Hacker Trainer Space, where you always move frantically. Virtual reality is a matter of immersion and for me, the cable tie that hangs at my feet has always been the greatest distraction of the virtual world.

The wireless kit gives you the freedom to enter a new world and lay the physical anchor that keeps you attached to reality. There is no doubt that once the cord is cut, you will not want to return to a wired virtual reality experience. The problem is that the wireless system does not always work as it should.

We love the unrelated RV experience and would like to recommend it to anyone. However, at the moment, this product is not suitable for everyone because it has compatibility issues, especially with Ryzen systems.

We encountered several problems with the Vive wireless adapter when it was connected to a Ryzen-powered system, including signal drops resulting in frame loss, a total loss of image signal and a noticeable latency. Performance was excellent on two Intel-based systems tested, but after a software update, we also experienced problems connecting to Vive Pro from these computers. In other words, if you are using a computer that uses Ryzen or if you are connecting to a Vive Pro rather than a standard Vive, you may want to wait for updates.

Advantages

• No danger of falling
• Less risk of property damage
• Movement without obstruction

The inconvenients

• Short battery life
• Compatibility issues with Ryzen, Vive Pro

Verdict

The Vive wireless adapter upgrade kit is a fantastic upgrade that current Vive owners must absolutely take into account, but compatibility issues with AMD hardware (and Vive Pro's own software) society) hold him back.

Wireless Vive adapter specifications

Technology behind the wireless adapter Vive

The HTC Vive Wireless Adapter is the product of a three-way collaboration between HTC, DisplayLink and Intel.

DisplayLink has created the video compression technology that enables transmission, which was first introduced to the world at CES 2017. The DisplayLink solution can handle data transmissions up to 24 Gb / s, about four times the bandwidth. required to drive a Vive helmet. Theoretically, it should provide a large bandwidth to evolve to future high-resolution headsets. Indeed, DisplayLink said that the technology could evolve to support dual 4K displays at 120 Hz, which means that it could be adapted to support other headsets, such as ultra headsets. -larges Pimax 5K + or Pimax 8K.

Intel has also played a vital role in the development of the Vive wireless adapter. The company has adapted its WiGig technology to allow wireless communication between the host PC and the unassigned headset. Intel introduced WiGig to IDF 2014 and touted it as a sort of wireless device docking station, but the technology has failed to gain ground in this market. With the emergence of virtual reality headsets, Intel has seized the opportunity to relaunch the development of its broadband wireless data solution.

Configuring the Vive Wireless Adapter

The HTC Wireless Upgrade Kit is a four-part solution that includes a receiver that you attach to the headset, a PCIe WiGig card to install on your computer, a WiGig Wireless Link Box, and an external battery pack to power the device.

HTC's instructions, which you can find here, suggest installing the WiGig card first. The expansion card has a PCIe x1 interface, which makes it compatible with any PCIe slot on your motherboard as long as it supports PCIe Gen3. HTC noted that some motherboards may have compatibility issues and suggested trying another dwelling if this happened.

Once the expansion card is installed, attach the Link Box's wireless link to the thread on the back of the card and position the camera to look over your reading area. The camera has a standard ¼ thread that allows you to attach it to a tripod or the supplied stand, which can be attached to any LCD monitor.

Receiver attachment

The wireless receiver has two large antennas protruding from each side of the unit. At the top you will find a Vive logo power button and an LED status light. The bottom of the receiver is equipped with tactile ties and a leather strap that wraps around the strap of the head of the Vive to hold it in place.

The wireless adapter includes a 12-inch-long cable attachment to replace the 10-foot clip provided with the Vive. The shortest cable attaches to the top of the wireless adapter and extends over the top strap of the Vive headset. HTC has left enough slack in the cables so you can always adjust the fasteners on the top strap.

To remove the old cable, slide the port cover toward the front of the headset until it separates from the device and carefully remove one plug at a time. When replacing the cable, be sure to place the USB cable in the center port, not in the accessory port on the side.

Vive & Vive Pro Support

HTC has designed the Vive Wireless adapter to support the original Vive headset and the Vive Pro. The company has ensured that the receiver works with the original Vive fabric main strap or audio headband without additional accessories, but you need additional pieces to connect to a Vive Pro (more than details on this in the next section).

There are two slots at the bottom of the wireless adapter that attaches to the rigid section of the Deluxe webbing. The receiver also includes a hook that allows you to hook the receiver to the cable routing loop on the Vive fabric strap.

Vive Pro Owners Need More Parts

If you have a Vive Pro, the installation process is slightly different, a bit more complicated and more expensive. The Vive Pro requires an additional purchase over the adapter. The $ 60 Vive Pro fixing kit includes a short Vive Pro cable, a cushion for the back of the wrist strap and a replacement for the bottom of the Vive Wireless adapter.

The new lower section features a different style of hook and tether strap, compatible with the Vive Pro's rigid strap. You must remove the original plate, which is held with three screws, and replace it with the Vive Pro compatible part.

The Vive Pro Upgrade Kit also includes a foam element that should be used to replace the triangular section on the back of the Vive Pro. Placing the cushion adds support to the top strap and gives you a place to attach the wireless adapter. It is also a barrier between your head and the receiver, which can heat up during prolonged use.

The Vive Wireless Adapter has a set of ports on top for Vive's original 3 in 1 tether, which allows the short tether to stretch over the top of your head. The Vive Pro's unique cable connects to the bottom of the wireless adapter and runs along the headband, like the standard Vive Pro Tether.

External battery

The Vive wireless adapter is powered by a lithium-ion battery, but HTC has not recessed the cells in the wireless receiver. Instead, HTC has opted for an external battery source, which has advantages and disadvantages. Leaving the battery cells on the outside will reduce weight, which is especially important for a head-mounted device. But a top-mount option would have been nice to condense the configuration into one piece.

It's easy to forget the battery when you remove the headset, which could damage the cable, battery, or wireless receiver. In addition, using a battery attached to detach your headset from the USB cable of the battery seems somewhat counterintuitive and at least a bit ironic.

The Vive wireless adapter battery pack is a standard HTC PowerBank compatible with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, which fits into a plastic case that you can attach to your belt or pocket. The attached battery does not really bother you, but limits the options of your wardrobe. The package weighs 230 grams, which is more than enough to wear your pants on the ground while you play if you do not have a belt. Do not expect to use a wireless Vive headset with jogging pants or pajamas on.

The included PowerBank contains enough juice for the Vive to work for nearly 2.5 hours. After blowing into a battery, a much larger package would suit me. HTC offers additional PowerBanks, and I recommend taking at least one, so always have a charged pack.

Vive Wireless Utility

The Vive wireless adapter requires an application to work. The Vive Wireless utility allows you to pair your transmitter with a receiver, while the software monitors the signal strength of the transmission. The installation of the software also includes drivers that activate WiGig hardware and DisplayLink in the wireless adapter.

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