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My Vive has arrived...finally!

Discussion in 'VR Headsets and Sim Gaming - Virtual Reality' started by noorbeast, Apr 18, 2016.

  1. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My poor Vive has been on the delivery road for over a week, but it has finally arrived.

    I had to move a second couch but I now have 5.5M X 3.7M to play with, which exceeds the recommended Vive area specs but other users advise Lighthouse can manage it OK.

    My portable VR Corsair Graphite 380T computer currently sits next to my mini jukebox. But to maximise the cable over the area I am thinking of perhaps building a well ventilated timber coffee table enclosure for it so it could be placed next to the timber pole and couch without looking out of place.

    I won't actually set my Vive up properly until at least tomorrow arvo, as my brother in law is making me a special wooden mounting block for one of the Lighthouse sensors, so I can use my full space.

    But I am so tempted to do a temporary setup just to have a play. I keep telling myself that I should not bother and that the computer is busy anyway, as it is a day and a half into processing the unique points for a photogrammetry 3D rendition of my motion sim room, but I don't know if I can contain myself!

    4tIrnSA (1024 x 576).jpg 20160418_135433.jpg 20160418_135908.jpg 20160418_140022.jpg 20160418_140113.jpg 20160418_140208.jpg 20160418_140246.jpg 20160418_140303.jpg 20160418_140418.jpg 20160418_140558.jpg 20160418_141345.jpg
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  2. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    I can feel your excitement :), unfortunately room scale is not something that would ever fit in my house :(.
  3. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    I am lucky @SeatTime that I have the space for a sim room and after some manipulation a large room scale space as well.

    The downside is that I would need to move my motion sim to use it with the Vive. Being compact it is fairly easy to move my rig and I will do it at some stage to directly compare the Vive and Rift, as well as explore the possibility of motion cancellation with the Vive. But I don't really want my sim in my lounge room all the time, so it will primarily use the Rift.

    I am super excited to try room scale VR and I also hope to start some room scale VR development by the end of this week.

    So far I am still resisting doing a temporary setup for tonight, instead I have put the Vive controllers on charge, laid out the power cords for the Lighthouse sensors and am about to hook up the Vive to the computer. But I know once I plug the HMD in it is going to be very difficult to stop myself from doing a temporary setup so I can take it for a spin ;)
  4. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    Awesome look forward to a nice review :) I am loving the CV1 all its little problems just disappear when you are engrossed into a game.
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Ok call me weak...I caved to temptation and did a temporary Lighthouse setup, with one station perched on the edge of my kitchen bench and the other precariously balancing on the upended Vive box, which is sitting on a chair. This puts them at less than half the height they should be and does create some tracking issues and distortion.

    So what is room scale like...in a word 'awesome' despite some of the limitations. The tracked controllers are incredible and I already did a custom skin for mine. The balance is great, the buttons are pretty intuitive even for people like me who shun controllers. They have some nice animations that allow things like the track pad to also act as a multi button pad.

    Yes there are God rays, initially you are aware of the cord and if you concentrate you can notice the FOV and slight screen door effect. But as soon as you fire something up all that disappears, the sense of presence really is that good. When you aim a laser with the controller at a distant object it goes exactly where you expect it to. Chaperone is brilliant at making room scale practical and safe. Yes you notice it at the boundaries, but that is a good thing, I don't want to punch my window and as soon as you back off Lighthouse fades.

    The biggest problem is space...once you experience room scale you want a warehouse to play in, not just a room. My temporary setup is close to the recommended area, so a bit smaller than I will have when I permanently mount the base stations, and I already know it won't be enough, I am going to want even more room :rolleyes:

    One thing that did surprise me is the performance. My portable VR computer is currently two and a half days into doing the computation for the unique points in a Photogrammetry 3D reconstruction of my sim room, it still has 40 hours to run. It is using the GPU and CPU, except for one core. I was expecting a full on judder fest running the Vive as well, but it was very smooth except for the odd tracking twitch.

    Once the unique point scan is done I hope I can save the project and move the computer near the wooden post in my lounge. That will let me use the full space with the standard cords, as I would need extenders if I leave it where is is.

    I have already played around adjusting the HMD straps and that makes a huge difference for comfort. It now balances the weight at the back of my head without being tight. It will actually be a bit of a challenge doing demos for others, but I figure their time will likely be pretty limited so getting the fit just right for their comfort is probably less of an issue. The light seal is very good.

    I am meant to be getting on with some paper and dev work today, but the Vive is oh so tempting and I haven't even got into the content I have for it. But to be honest I don't really want to spoil the first wow effect by running things like Hover Junkers with my temp Lighthouse setup so I will mess with creating and shooting down the balloons in the setup demo and hopefully leave it at that for now. The Lab, Hover Junkers, Job Simulator, Time Machine VR, ED, LFS, Tilt Brush and a bunch of others are all going to have to wait...well maybe just a little peek :grin

    20160419_093027.jpg Photogrammetry.jpg
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    Last edited: Apr 19, 2016
  6. BondeX

    BondeX Active Member

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    Please keep these reviews coming, please please please....... and thanks :popcorn
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Cantsitstill

    Cantsitstill Member

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    I like the illustrative pics @noorbeast. Christmas has come early this year! The reserved space looks fit for purpose too.
    The way things are going, I'm going to end up in a one bedroom house if I allocate any more rooms to fun and games. I'm still intrigued by a VR treadmill to allow me to wander the earth like Kwai Chang Caine.
    Are you in the queue for a Virtuix Omni, being interested as you are in all things VR?
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    I have followed the tortured development path of the Omni since the beginning @Cantsitstill, but do not intend to get one.
  9. Cantsitstill

    Cantsitstill Member

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    Patience is a virtue but crowdfunding can take it to another level akin to blind faith.
  10. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Totally agree and that is the main reason I stayed out of supporting the likes of the Omni and Stem.
  11. Cantsitstill

    Cantsitstill Member

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    A wise decision for sure.
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  12. gazza1101

    gazza1101 Member

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    These look awsome, would love to try one of these.
  13. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    The LightHouse sensors are now fixed in place, though I am still experimenting with calibration. They cover a play area of 8M X 4M, which is quite a bit bigger than the recommended maximum.

    My brother in law will add decorative ventilation to a wooden chest I have when he gets back from holidays in a few weeks time. It will house the computer and when not in use the Vive HMD and cords. That will keep things nice and tidy, as well as match the decor, as the Vive is set up in my lounge room.

    Sensor1.jpg Sensor2.jpg
    • Like Like x 4
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2017
  14. f1iceman

    f1iceman Why So Serious ? ( The Joker )

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    brilliant for you noorbeast for finally getting your vive.
    i look forward to the smashed windows/ breaking things ! lol
    i can only see it being a pain due to the limited walking around and how the games can work to where you are in your own room so i guess the game can only be a 1 room thing going on to be in full vr moving around and no limits to what you do.
    look forward to what you have to say about them tho.
  15. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    There are actually a range of ways movement between places is done for room scale.

    Teleportation between scenes is common.

    There is Blink VR locomotion: http://uploadvr.com/cloudhead-blink-vr-movement/

    In games like hover junkers you are within your flying junker space and it is giving the illusion of moving across the land.

    There are devices like the Omni, which is a frictionless treadmill for VR. While the Omni provides unlimited walking I personally think it restricts other natural movement for certain types of activities. So it has its place, but also its limits.

    There is the possibility of redirected walking, though the play space limits that. With a bigger area and more Lighthouse sensors you can trick the brain into thinking you have infinite space by making a user feel they are walking straight, but really have them walk a curve. That is one of the nice things about Lighthouse, it is scalable. The limit is that people do not have that sort of room.

    While there are limits room scale is a compelling experience precisely because you can move around and interact with things in a natural manner. So you can walk over, pick up a stick and throw it for the robo dog in a game of fetch. You can grab a bow and shoot arrows in a realistic manner and natural aim, same with a gun. In fact there is a call by gun enthusiasts to have Vive game devs accurately mimic gun design so their natural muscle memory is not affected, because it is that realistic an experience: https://www.reddit.com/r/Vive/comme..._your_gun_angles_it_affects/?ref=search_posts

    Room scale will also bring new dimensions to seated experiences. Daniel, the developer of Flyinside VR support for FSX and P3D, is implementing the ability to walk around a plane and do pre-flight checks, as a pilot would.

    It will be some years before PC grade wireless room scale is available, but when that is possible it will really be a must have compelling experience, despite the challenge of somewhat restricted space and movement within and between scenes.
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  16. Nick Moxley

    Nick Moxley Well-Known Member

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    Errrr....this kinda stuff makes me scared to even think about dropping the $$ on VR.....Any thoughts Noor and crew ?

  17. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    I have mentioned before the 10hr test format was silly with the Rift and equally if not more so with the Vive. Both have their issues but this is first Gen consumer grade equipment which, given the price of entry, is still for a niche enthusiast market.

    In my view this is not a serious or even sensible review, for VR or anything else. Look elsewhere to professional reviews such as those by Norm from Tested: https://www.youtube.com/user/testedcom/videos

    Better yet hunt around and do an in person demo, then you are in a better position to make up your own mind if VR is for you or not.
    • Agree Agree x 3
  18. Nick Moxley

    Nick Moxley Well-Known Member

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    Interestingly enough i did watch the "Tested" video right after the linked video...It confirmed a few of my fear's after watching from the outside for a while now but also reassured me on a few of them as well....So Im not against it in any way shape or form, but would very much need to experience it first hand to fall over head over heels and dump out 800-1200$ for something I KNOW will be getting an update within a year +


    I just wish i knew someone Local with one....:mad:
  19. frenchfly

    frenchfly Member Gold Contributor

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    I'll be getting mine by the end of May Moxley, I'll have you over to have a crack at it.
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  20. BondeX

    BondeX Active Member

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    I feel above review by far is most fair and informative.

    I was fortunate enough to demo vive at a local Microsoft store. Way better than DK2 although not too too comfy, my cheeks were hurting afterwards as it felt quite front heavy. After 10 min of demo I did not feel any motion sickness whats so ever, however with DK2 I got sick to my stomach after just 5 min of use, really weird.

    Wish I could demo CV1.