During Mobile World Congress, HTC announced a collaboration with Valve to create an entirely new VR experience: HTC Vive Control. HTC is supplying parts and manufacturing the device, while Valve is supplying tech and a delivery platform with SteamOS, making it an ambitious project for Web3 worlds.
While Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus work by tracking a user’s head movements and requiring an input device for movement, Vive does not. It also does not appear to be a competitor to Samsung’s Gear VR, instead positioning itself as a completely new piece of VR technology.
The HTC Vive Control can track the entire room, not just a user’s head movements, using similar technology to the Oculus prototype that Valve assisted in developing. This means it can detect where someone is in a room and mirror their movements within that space into the game.
This amazing VR headset can completely change how VR and Metaverse apps market can be developed. Let’s take a more in-depth look.
What is The HTC Vive Control
The HTC Vive Control is a virtual reality headset that can be used in conjunction with a PC to immerse yourself in 3D games and simulations.
It has two high-resolution OLED screens for each eye, a fast refresh rate of 90Hz and 360-degree views. This means that the screen wraps around you, enveloping your field of vision and giving you a sense of total visual immersion.
The HTC Vive Control also counts an integrated microphone and a standard VR interface, allowing you to interact easily with your games and apps. However, it needs to be used with two wireless motion controllers to manipulate items, fire weapons, and do whatever you need to do.
These controllers are an incredible complement to the HTC Vive Control’s groundbreaking sensors. Although, thanks to them, complex and complete tasks can be performed in VR, they will completely change how the tasks are performed and thought of in games or other VR spaces.
Perhaps the most notable features of the Vive are its room-scale tracking and front-facing camera. The latter allows you to view and interact with the outside world without removing your headset.
It also has a visual tracking system that allows you to stand up, walk around, and explore your virtual space in rooms as big as 16 by 16 feet. The HTC Vive Control also allows you to inspect items from every angle and interact with your environment, thanks to its controllers.
Just imagine what can be achieved with those moving capabilities; what back then had to be designed and thought for lower mobility ranges now can be a complex and huge space.
However, what makes it different for most users is that it is light. So you can wear it for a long time without feeling weighed down. But this also means that Vive’s processing and power supply aren’t contained within the device itself.
What Users Get With The HTC Vive Control
The HTC Vive Control includes everything any user needs to get started. The headset is made of tough plastic and has a built-in head strap. In addition, two wireless movement controllers, two wall mounting supports, and a link box for connecting the headset to your PC are included.
The Vive is intended to be used with a PC with at least 4GB of RAM, a free USB port, and a decent graphics card. Unfortunately, as with most VR headsets, there is no way to adjust the Vive’s focus, so those who are nearsighted will most likely have to wear glasses while wearing the headset.
Tracking And Room Scale
One of the most significant advantages of HTC Vive Control over many of its competitors is the inclusion of room-scale tracking. This allows you to walk around a room and interact with the virtual world using your motion controllers.
The tracking system of the Vive is based on laser sensors mounted on tripods. Because the sensors are connected to your PC via USB cables, you’ll need a reasonably sized play area to take advantage of room-scale tracking.
A dedicated play area with enough room to move around is essential to the VR experience. It allows you to be fully immersed in the game because you’re not concerned with staying out of the way of furniture or tripping over cables.
You’ll also need to put on your headset before you begin your game. Finally, you’ll need to walk over to a cable to connect your HMD. Having a large play area with plenty of free space to walk around helps eliminate these types of distractions.
Resolution and Refresh Rate
The combined resolution of the HTC Vive Control is 2,880 by 1,600 pixels per eye, which is significantly higher than the average for today’s VR headsets. In addition, the Vive is likely to look clearer than many other headsets due to its wider field of view, as you’ll be able to see more of your virtual surroundings.
Thanks to the higher resolution of the screens, plus the high refresh rate, many spectacular visuals can be generated to be interacted with. Taking advantage of these features as a Metaverse builder will change how the VR games market works.
The refresh rate of the Vive is 90 Hz, which means that the visuals are updated 90 times per second, making it higher than most mobile VR headsets. Regarding Vive’s brightness adaptability, keep in mind that the device’s specifications only measure the brightness of the visuals.
However, this does not necessarily imply that the visuals of the headset will be as bright as they would seem in a store or when used at home. This is because the lights in the shop may be brighter than in common rooms, and the visuals may appear darker when wearing the headset.
Is the HTC Vive Control Wireless?
Because it must be connected to a computer via a USB cable, the HTC Vive Control is not a wireless headset. In addition, because many games require controllers, it is also necessary to plug them into the headset. Two AA batteries power the Vive’s controllers, and rechargeable batteries can also be used.
The HTC Vive Control Pro may be worth considering for those looking for a wireless headset. It includes a WiFi chip that enables users to play games without being connected to a PC. Sadly, it’s quite more expensive than the original, and it’s also heavier and bulkier.
Does the HTC Vive Control Have Full Body Tracking?
The HTC Vive Control’s tracking sensors only track your head and the controllers. As a result, you won’t be able to see your full body in the virtual world, and you won’t be able to use fitness apps that track your body movements with the Vive.
The Vive Tracker, on the other hand, allows you to retrofit your Vive with tracking sensors. In addition, the Vive Tracker is an add-on for various HTC Vive Control games.
It also works with other VR systems like Google Daydream, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality. The Tracker can be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes a Vive Tracker, two monitoring sensors, and a mounting accessory. Devs are working to adapt it for disabled people too.
HTC Vive Control Pros
It has a lot of pros that can be leveraged by innovative designs made around these:
- Room-scale tracking: The Vive’s devices enable users to walk around a 16-by-16-foot room. As a result, it is among the best VR headsets for playing room-scale games.
- Front-facing camera: The Vive’s camera allows users to see and interact with the outside world without removing the headset. When users share their VR session with a friend, it is simpler to grab a drink, answer a phone call, or remove the headset.
- Visual tracking: The tracking system on the Vive allows users to interact with their virtual environment. This means users can stand up and walk around a room without pressing a button to reset the sensors.
- Excellent resolution: The high resolution of the Vive means that its visuals will be crisp and realistic.
- Wireless connectivity: The Vive Pro includes built-in WiFi, allowing users to connect their headsets to their PCs without a cable.
- Dual controllers: The controllers on the Vive are intuitive, ergonomic, and simple to use.
HTC Vive Control Cons
- Still on the pricey side: The HTC Vive is one of the market’s most expensive virtual reality headsets. As a result, it is only an option for serious VR enthusiasts and gamers with money to invest in their hobbies.
The only minor drawback that the HTC Vive Control has is its price. However, this can be easily circumvented when more outstanding products are designed for this technology. Once it becomes the average, the price won’t matter at all.
Conclusion: How HTC Vive Control Can Change the Market
The HTC Vive Control is an incredible VR headset these days and is completely worth it. If you want a truly wireless experience, you can also get the Vive Pro, but if you want to save yourself $400-$800 you should go for the regular version.
In any case, you’ll get an absolutely premium VR experience with one of the higher-end options. At the same time, you’ll count on top and more innovative tracking and room-scale technology which can change the VR market completely.
New games and spaces may arise to extract the most out of these features. Fully interactive spaces, complex movement tasks, and much more can result from it. Only time will show us what can be achieved. But what is certain is that already having one will prepare you for what is to come.
As a Metaverse builder, you can use the advanced body tracking that comes with the HTC Vive Controler and the Vive Tracker bundle to make outstanding projects. In addition, the advanced sensors may enable possibilities uncovered until now!
