HTC Vive headset previewed

Preview: Virtual reality at its best

We had the chance to test HTC`s virtual reality (VR) device, the HTC Vive headset back in Vienna.

HTC Vive – Headset, powered by Steam VR

The HTC Vive is a virtual reality headset developed in cooperation with the global gaming leader Valve and combines Valve`s VR tracking and input technologies with HTC`s design and engineering, setting a new global standard for the industry. The HTC Vive is the first of its kind offering a fully immersive 360 degree experience, plunging people into other worlds at a moment`s notice.

It allows you to get up and move around in a room so you can explore your virtual space, inspect objects from every angle and truly interact with your surroundings. Because of this possibility to move in real space you don`t get VRMS (videogame-related Motion Sickness). Before we go further here are some specifications we got from HTC.

Specifications:

Visuals

– 1,200 by 1,080 pixel screen resolution in front of each eye
– 9:5 aspect ratio
– 90 frames per second refresh rates

Tracking and Room Scale

– Gyrosensor, accelerometer and laser position sensor track rotation of head on both axes to an accuracy of 1/10th of a degree
– Two Steam VR base stations track physical location (in spaces up to 15 feet by 15 feet or 4.5m x 4.5m).
– Scalable for use in a smaller space or even in your chair
– In-built Steam VR chaperone system to enable users navigate their room while in VR

Immersion

– Full Room Scale 360 degree positional tracking

Controllers

– X2 Ergonomic VR game controllers with haptic feedback

Audio
– Headphone jack

Gaming content partners

– Vertigo Games
– Bossa
– Barry – Fireproof
– Dovetail Games
– WEVR Labs
– Steel Wool Games
– Owlchemy
– Wemo Labs
– Cloudhead Games
– Drew Skillman
– Xunee