HTC Vive Flow offers 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. The headset does not come with controllers and can be paired with Android smartphones – and not yet iOS devices – via Bluetooth v5 connectivity which acts as a controller. Users can cast applications from phone to screen in VR using Miracast. It also works with the Vive app.
- Curious about VR? Here’s what you need to know about the HTC VIVE Pro 2
- What is the HTC VIVE Pro 2?
- reader comments
- Further Reading
- HTC Vive Pro 2 review: Design
- HTC Vive Pro 2 review: Setup and Performance
- Superb VR, but not for gamers
- Sound
- System Requirements
- HTC Vive Flow price, availability
- HTC Vive Flow specifications, features
- Gallery: HTC Vive Pro 2 | 13 Photos
- Gallery: HTC Vive Pro 2 | 13 Photos
Curious about VR? Here’s what you need to know about the HTC VIVE Pro 2
When you are not using the VIVE Pro 2 headset, store the device with the lens away from direct sunlight to prevent damage.
In June 2021, HTC VIVE Pro 2 was released. I tested this high-end VR headset to see if it really was worth the much higher price.
In 2016, I purchased the original HTC VIVE when it was released and used it on popular VR games like Beat Saber and Fantastic Contraption. I’ve also used it for creative and experimental applications like Tilt Brush and Google Earth VR. Due to comfort issues, I never really watched a 360 degree video, but I had fun watching several events of the Rio 2016 Olympics in 360 video and attending several live concerts. I wanted to know if the HTC VIVE Pro 2 offers a better VR experience.
What is the HTC VIVE Pro 2?
VIVE Pro 2 is undoubtedly the highest resolution VR solution currently available on the consumer market. The headset offers a 5K resolution (4896 x 2448 per eye) with a 120-degree field of view at a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is extremely impressive. By comparison, the Oculus Quest 2 only offers a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye with a supported refresh rate of 90 Hz. The VIVE Pro 2 is upgradable and backwards compatible, making it suitable for both recreational home use and business use.
To use VIVE Pro 2, you need to install two base stations. These small units should be mounted at least 6.5 feet above the floor (the higher the better) in opposite corners of the playing space. The task of the base stations is to provide 360-degree coverage of traffic, so it can be tracked down to the millimeter.
Once you’ve downloaded all the required software, for the headset’s functionality to work, you’ll need to physically connect it to your gaming PC via the link box to access your game content.
The final step is to connect the controllers and define the play space so that the system knows the boundaries of the play area.
Once you’ve fenced off this area, you’ll need to find two locations in each corner of your play space for two cube-like base stations – perfectly positioned above head height and angled towards the center of the play area. Each of them requires a socket.
reader comments
HTC Vive finally got its first big – and steady – drop in prices since its launch last April.
As of today, the complete HTC Vive VR headset that includes a headset, two Vive wand controllers, and two tracking fields now costs $ 599 (and £ 599 in the UK), as opposed to a launch price of $ 799 / £ 689. This cut is distinguished not only by a 25% discount, but also by its rarity. During the 16 month system life, HTC only offered one day discount of $ 100 / £ 100 on the Vive system.
HTC’s stubborn pricing strategy contrasted with that of the Oculus Rift, the price of which has seen several temporary and permanent drops since its launch last year. These prices have changed in part thanks to the later launch of additional Oculus Touch controllers. Currently, the Oculus Rift and Touch bundle can still be purchased for $ 399, which means that Oculus’ “limited-time” offering has lasted more than six weeks to date.
HTC noted in its announcement that the drop in price is ahead of the two main Vive exclusive products coming this fall from Bethesda: Doom VFR (which I loved in preview) and Fallout 4 VR (which I was less sure about). HTC also mentions “a few other titles to be announced,” but nowhere in the HTC release does it mention the words “Valve” or “Steam” – which is interesting given that Vive’s piggybacks have a huge impact on the SteamVR ecosystem. Instead, HTC has chosen to highlight its own $ 7 / month subscription service “Viveport”, which new Vive buyers can try out with a free one-month trial.
In case you are wondering: no, the newly discounted package does not include the recently updated Vive headband with built-in headphones. This Deluxe Audio Bar can be purchased for an additional $ 100. The new strap, in case you are wondering, adds both the welcome built-in headphones and a better fit and feel, but replacing and installing yourself is a pain.
Further Reading
There was also no mention of the upcoming cool looking “Knuckles” VR controllers, which still don’t have a release date, price, or official name, but have found their way into the hands of many developers in prototype form. We’re still waiting to learn more about these and three full-fledged VR games from Valve that are in development – and whether Valve’s new controllers and games will possibly run in tandem.
It is not known if Oculus or HTC are trying to get rid of old inventory before introducing new headsets by the end of 2017. We know Oculus is very interested in wireless headsets and inside tracking as standard VR headset features. Both of these features could be in the spotlight at the Oculus Connect 2017 conference on October 11 and 12.
Both headsets display an image with a resolution of 1080 by 1200 pixels for each eye with a field of view of 110 degrees and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. Both have built-in motion sensors and work in tandem with external beacons / sensors to accurately track the movement of the head. And, frankly, they both offer identical video and motion detection performance.
HTC Vive Pro 2 review: Design
- Super sharp “5K
- Smooth refresh rate of 120 Hz and a wide field of view of 120 degrees
- Vive controllers show their age
While the mainstream of the VR industry seems to be headed towards a future where universal, wireless headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 are the norm, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is rather aimed at the enthusiast-level player – the kind of person who doesn’t blush the price high-end gaming PC and values a higher resolution and refresh rate than portability.
As such, the Vive Pro 2 remains a tethered headset that requires a top-of-the-line gaming PC to run. And that’s to be expected given the specs here – the Vive Pro 2 has a 5K resolution (its display is 4896 x 2448, something close to 2.5K per eye) and a silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Both of these specs are key to keeping the headset comfortable and natural to use – the smoother and sharper the VR action, the more realistic and engaging it will be.
Platforms: Steam VR (PC) / Viveport (PC)
Price: 400 399 / £ 1299
Resolution: 2448 × 2448 per eye
Field of view: 120 degrees
Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Controllers: HTC Vive and Vive Pro controllers (Valve Knuckles support, sold separately, also included)
This extends the field of view of the headset – at 120 degrees, this is one of the widest VR headsets on the market and will add even more immersion, filling your peripheral vision. They are also high-quality panels – here play fast-switchable LCD displays, with RGB sub pixels, in a structure with two layers. This allows HTC to cram many high-performance features into less space and should prevent the headset display from heating up too much – although we found that longer sessions still caused the front of the headset to heat up enough to be noticeable and create a little haze during more vigorous game sessions.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a bit too big, but HTC has made every effort to make it comfortable to wear nonetheless. The dial and lock system on the strap allows quick adjustment to the size of the head, and the facial interface inside is wide enough not to be a problem for those who wear glasses. It’s also worth commending the inclusion of the physical IPD slider – it’s the interpupillary distance, measuring the space between the pupils of your eyes. The more accurately you can place it, the better the fidelity to the visualization. Many headsets, including the Oculus Quest 2, choose to use software systems to adjust the image in this regard, or ignore the need for complete tuning. It’s nice that HTC turned it on.
Where comfort and immersion inevitably is lost is a cabling system. They can get tangled during play and pull the head towards the anchor point if within the extreme limits of our length. It’s an inevitable part of the high-end VR experience these days – embedded mobile processors just can’t handle this kind of resolution – but it’s still a pain. The separately sold HTC wireless adapters will keep you away from being physically attached to your computer, but then you’ll lose access to the highest resolution and refresh rate that the HTC Vive Pro 2 can achieve.
HTC Vive Pro 2 review: Setup and Performance
- Be prepared for lots of cables and plugs
- Game size requirements will rule out smaller spaces
- base station tracking
If you think you’re going to buy the HTC Vive Pro 2 for home and jump into the VR action right away, think again – before you can enjoy the virtual reality it provides, you’ll need to go through a detailed setup process.
This is because the HTC Vive Pro 2 uses the computer’s tethered system and external tracking stations, rather than the comprehensive processing and tracking approach that a device like Oculus Quest 2 employs. Properly configured can provide a more accurate tracking system, keeping your tabs in the space behind you as well as in the front. But it is quite a difficult undertaking.
For starters, you’ll need to find a play space of at least 2m x 1.5m if you want to engage in the most immersive VR experiences on the “room scale”. When you play sitting or standing, you can get away with it, but you lose the freedom of movement that makes VR so special.
Once you’ve fenced off this area, you’ll need to find two locations in each corner of your play space for two cube-like base stations – perfectly positioned above head height and angled towards the center of the play area. Each of them requires a socket.
The headset itself then connects to the computer via a detachable “Vive Link” module. It also requires a plug socket and plugs itself into the computer via USB 3 and DisplayPort. Then a 5m cable runs from the headset to the folding box, representing the limit of VR exploration in physical space.
From here we go to Steam VR software, which is the base from which the computer communicates with your goggles. It then walks you through whether your play space has been recognized, connects and pairs the base stations and Vive controllers, and tweaks your settings in general to increase your immersion – for example, setting your personal real-world height. Getting things right, especially in a non-VR room, may take some trial and error.
In defense of HTC, this is a very similar setup process to Valve Index – often considered the best VR headset on the market. Either way, it pays to pay off as the hardware here delivers a truly immersive experience – tracking is reliable, visuals are impressive, and you don’t have to worry about the battery. But it’s not a beginner’s system, nor is it the kind of device that can be pulled out for a quick session.
To use VIVE Pro 2, you need to install two base stations. These small units should be mounted at least 6.5 feet above the floor (the higher the better) in opposite corners of the playing space. The task of the base stations is to provide 360-degree coverage of traffic, so it can be tracked down to the millimeter.
Superb VR, but not for gamers
When my Vive Pro 2 worked and I loved every minute of it with it. The display is amazing and the sound is great. HTC has done an amazing job of making the headset comfortable enough that I want to wear it for extended periods of time. But since HTC is not interested in a race to the bottom with Facebook, where the true cost of designing and selling a headset doesn’t matter, the Vive Pro 2 is significantly more expensive than anything from Oculus or Sony.
If you want an inexpensive plug and play headset that lasts anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes of gaming sessions, you should look elsewhere. If you’re not interested in having Facebook power your VR headset or want a high-quality system to work, this is the kit for you.
Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are two of the best VR headsets for PC on the market. But which one to buy? We compare the two features by feature to help you make up your mind.
Sound
Video is almost always linked to sound, although it’s easy to forget when most of your attention is focused on the eyeball-saturating image that practically transports you elsewhere. The headphones provide sound for both the Rift and the Vive.
The Rift has built-in on-ear headphones, and the Vive has a 3.5mm headphone jack for use with the included headphones or your favorite pair of headphones. Which option is better is a matter of taste, but I find the Rift headphones easier to use; The physical Vive jack adds another cord to worry about when using a headset, and getting a pair of headphones that fit comfortably on your head can be tricky. Both headsets also have built-in microphones for voice communication and commands.
Winner: Draw (personal preference)
System Requirements
You need a fairly powerful computer to use the VR goggles. The requirements for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are almost identical, and if one VR headset works with the system, you can expect the other to do as well.
For each headset, you’ll need a computer with at least an Intel Core i5-4590 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290 GPU. HTC recommends at least 4 GB of RAM for the Vive, while Oculus says 8 GB is needed for Rift, but you should go wrong with the more memory for each headset and shoot to at least 8GB, no matter which one you pick.
connectivity is the biggest difference in system requirements: the Vive only needs one USB 2.0 port in addition to an open HDMI port, while the Rift needs at least two USB 3.0 ports along with an open HDMI port (and a third USB 3.0 will be needed after the Oculus Touch controller is released).
We used gaming notebooks which far exceed the system requirements in our hands-on development of both VR headsets. We tested the HTC Vive with the Asus ROG G752VT-DH72 and the Oculus Rift with the Origin EON17-X. If you can afford it, VR runs very smoothly on an Intel i7 CPU, GTX 980M GPU, and 16GB of RAM. For more information, see Best VR Graphics Cards.
Winner: HTC Vive (one hair, for USB port requirements, not computing power)
The Vive Pro 2 then takes up quite a niche space, but has an enslaved audience. If you want the best (regardless of controllers) and can afford the price, the Vive Pro 2 won’t have a problem to be admired.
HTC Vive Flow price, availability
The HTC Vive Flow is $ 499 (around Rs 37,400) and will be available for purchase on November 2. Pre-orders for the device are now available in the US and Europe, and users who order VR glasses before October 31 will receive a free Vive Flow protective case. The case is compatible with all Vive Flow products and will be shipped the same day. In addition to this, HTC Vive Flow is also covered by Viveport Infinity’s two-month membership.
So far, HTC has not shared any information on the availability of VR glasses in India.
HTC Vive Flow specifications, features
HTC Vive Flow has two 2.1-inch LCD displays with a resolution of 1600 x1600 per eye. Supports 75Hz refresh rate and 100 degree FoV. The device has adjustable diopter knobs that make it easy to adjust the focus for each lens.
The foldable VR glasses have a slim, two-hinge design that fits a variety of head shapes and sizes, and an active cooling system for comfortable wearing. It has a replaceable face seal and temples, which makes them easy to clean.
HTC Vive Flow offers 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. The headset does not come with controllers and can be paired with Android smartphones – and not yet iOS devices – via Bluetooth v5 connectivity which acts as a controller. Users can cast applications from phone to screen in VR using Miracast. It also works with the Vive app.
The wearable device has two front tracking cameras. It also supports video upload to increase environmental awareness.
HTC Vive Flow has built-in stereo speakers with surround sound support. It has dual microphones with echo cancellation to eliminate interference. Additionally, the VR headset supports all Bluetooth headphones. Other connectivity options on the HTC Vive Flow include a USB Type-C port and Wi-Fi.
The wearable device does not include a power adapter in the retail package and can be connected to an external power source. It is compatible with the HTC Vive Flow power adapter, which is sold separately. HTC has released the latest VR glasses with a hot-swapping feature that gives users up to 5 minutes to switch between power sources – such as smartphones and power banks – when the source device’s battery is low. This ensures that the device does not restart when changing the power source.
HTC Vive Flow weighs 189 grams. The headset cable is 1.2 meters long, and the total weight of the headset with the cable is 239 grams.
GoPro and OIS style gimbal gadgets on all four cameras – is the Vivo X70 Pro + worth Rs. 80,000? We’ve covered this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Nithya P Nair is a journalist with over five years of experience in digital journalism. He specializes in business and technology beats. Nithya, a gourmand from the heart, loves to discover new places (read cuisines) and sneak through dialogues from Malayalam films to diversify conversations. Yet
For the budget-conscious person who wants an entry-level VR experience, the Pansonite VR headset offers the user a host of impressive features, such as a wide field of view and eye strain reducing technology, at a low price.
Gallery: HTC Vive Pro 2 | 13 Photos
Gallery: HTC Vive Pro 2 | 13 Photos
Just remember to keep track of which Vive Pro is which as they look virtually identical. The Pro 2 has a black and purple color scheme, but its front console, strap, and headphones all look the same as before. The difference, however, becomes obvious when you put on the Vive Pro 2: its 5K screen offers 2448 by 2448 pixels per eye, which is a huge leap from 1440 by 1600 pixels with the Pro. In addition, the LCD Pro 2 displays have RGB sub-pixels, making everything even sharper. The screen can also refresh up to 120Hz, which is noticeably smoother than the previous 90Hz panel, and I appreciated the wider 120-degree field of view which makes the virtual worlds even more immersive.
These specs may sound familiar as the Vive Focus 3 also has the same 5K screen, it just has a slower refresh rate of 90Hz. But I was more impressed with the Pro 2 as it can easily run any PC game or VR application. Meanwhile, the Focus 3 has a limited selection of mobile titles, and I’ve never been able to successfully stream higher-end VR from my gaming PC. And frankly, even though I did manage to get it working, streaming is still a clear step towards native performance.
I’ve been visiting old and newer games on Pro 2 and everything looked fantastic. I was constantly distracted by the detailed environments in Half Life Alyx – a game that looked great on the Index, but has an extra level of refinement thanks to Pro 2’s uneven resolution. It’s a bit like jumping from 1080p video to 4K video. At first glance, you may not notice the difference, but as you start checking for finer details like grass and wood grain, you may find that you are working with more pixels.
Hopping back into Superhot, it almost felt like I was playing Superhot 2. I could see a lot more detail in the cyberpunk introductory room. And while its aesthetics are relatively simple, the enemies, weapons, and environment of the game all looked more detailed than I remembered. I also spent more time than expected staring at almost everything in the VR version of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. This game already looked impressive on a regular monitor, but in 5K VR I was able to appreciate Senua’s intricate character model even more.
While it all looked impressive, I’d really like HTC to upgrade the Pro 2 controllers. Its full suite includes the same huge wands that appeared on the original Vive back in 2016. They work decently enough, but are not as ergonomic as the Oculus touch controllers and even the Focus 3 gamepads. They are especially archaic after trying out Valve’s Steam VR Controllers, which are included in the index. Since it’s also a SteamVR headset, you can always use Index gamepads with the Pro 2, but that’s another $ 280 compared to an already expensive headset.
It would also be nice to see the HTC Vive tweak the Pro 2 design a bit. It’s still very comfortable thanks to the soft cushioning on the front and rear as well as the balanced weight distribution. But the company may have taken some tips from the Valve Index. The near-field speakers would be a solid upgrade for the over-ear headphones, especially as the Pro 2’s cans kept my head warm. The headset’s displays were also generating a decent amount of heat, which led to some sweaty gaming sessions.
