HTC Vive Developer Editions

HTC Vive Developer Editions
Basic Info
Type	Virtual Reality
Subtype	Head-mounted Display
Platform	SteamVR
Developer	HTC, Valve
Release Date	Developer: Spring 2015, Consumer: Holiday 2015
Website	http://www.htcvr.com/
System
Operating System	Windows
Storage
Display
Display	Dual Panel
Resolution	2400 x 1080, 1200 x 1080 per eye
Refresh Rate	90 Hz
Image
Field of View	110°?
Optics
Tracking
Tracking	6DOF
Rotational Tracking	Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Laser Position Sensor
Positional Tracking	2 SteamVR Base Stations (15 by 15 feet)
Update Rate	??
Latency	??
Audio
Audio	Headphones
Connectivity
Connectivity	2 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, 1 headphone jack
Device
Input	Controllers in both hands

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HTC Vive is a Virtual Reality head-mounted display developed by HTC and Valve. HTC Vive is SteamVR's first device. The HMD was announced on March 1, 2015. Similar to Oculus Rift and unlike Samsung Gear VR, HTC Vive requires connecting to a PC, not Smartphone, for its processing. It uses 2 external sensors, called SteamVR Base Stations, to accurately track the user's position and movement in a finite space. Development Kit is scheduled to be released in Spring 2015.

Hardware

The HTC Vive requires a connection to a PC, preferably a gaming PC with good specs, similar to Oculus Rift. It does not use a Smartphone as its display or for processing. The display of HTC Vive has a resolution of 2400 x 1080 or 1200 x 1080 per eye with the refresh rate of 90 FPS. The HMD has 6 degrees of freedom tracking with the help of Gyroscope, Accelerometer and Laser Position Sensor within the device and 2 SteamVR Base Stations externally. The 2 SteamVR Base Stations are placed high up on the 2 corners of the wall in a 90° angle. These sensors allow you to be accurately tracked within a 15 feet by 15 feet space. HTC Vive has the ability to transform your entire room into a Holodeck, allowing for a full room VR experience.

HTC Vive uses specially designed wireless VR controllers in both hands. These controllers look like a pair of nunchucks with sensors on top. The controllers allow the SteamVR Base Stations to not only track your head but also your hands. These controllers also have touch pad and trigger.

HTC Vive differs from Oculus Rift with better positional tracking. Because it accurately matches the user's physical movements with reactions in the virtual realm, Valve CEO Gabe Newell boasts that HTC Vive is the first VR Device that does not induce Motion Sickness in its users.

While Oculus Rift is advertised as a seated experience. HTC Vive wants the user to move and walk around the 15 by 15 feet zone, allowing for a true holodeck experience.

Developer

SteamVR

SteamVR - Valve's VR platform for VR games and other experiences.

OpenVR - OpenVR has all of SteamVR's capabilities minus Steam.

History

HTC Vive, partnership between HTC and Valve, was announced on March 1, 2014 in Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

HTC Vive was showcased for the first time in GDC 2015 from March 2 - March 6.