Vive
The HTC Vive is a PC virtual reality head-mounted display developed by HTC and Valve Corporation, released in April 2016 at $799. One of the first premium consumer VR headsets and the launch device for SteamVR, featuring dual OLED displays at 1080x1200 per eye, 90 Hz refresh rate, 110° field of view, revolutionary Lighthouse room-scale tracking via two base stations, two wireless 6DoF controllers, and a chaperone system for boundary awareness. Bundled with controllers, base stations, and link box.
| Vive | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, VIVEPORT |
| Developer | HTC, Valve |
| Manufacturer | HTC |
| Release Date | April 2016 |
| Price | $799 USD |
| Website | https://www.vive.com/ |
| Successor | Vive Pro |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | OLED (dual) |
| Resolution | 1080x1200 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 108-110° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | SteamVR 1.0 (outside-in, Lighthouse) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB 3.0 |
| Device | |
History and Development
HTC and Valve announced the Vive at Mobile World Congress 2015, launching commercially in April 2016. The Vive pioneered room-scale VR with Valve's Lighthouse tracking technology, enabling users to walk around and physically interact in virtual spaces. Competing directly with the Oculus Rift, the Vive established SteamVR as a major VR platform. The original Vive was succeeded by the Vive Pro in 2018 and received price reductions over time. The Vive defined the standards for premium PC VR.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
First-generation OLED:
- 1080x1200 per eye resolution
- 2160x1200 combined
- Dual 3.6-inch OLED screens
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 108-110° field of view
- Low persistence
- Good black levels
Tracking
Revolutionary Lighthouse system:
- SteamVR 1.0 (Lighthouse)
- 2 base stations included
- Outside-in tracking
- 6DoF headset tracking
- Room-scale VR
- 360° coverage
- Sub-millimeter precision
- Chaperone boundary system
Controllers
Vive Controllers (2 included):
- 6DoF tracking
- Trackpad
- Trigger
- Grip buttons
- Menu button
- System button
- Rechargeable battery
Audio
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- External headphones required
- Optional Deluxe Audio Strap (later)
Build
- Front-facing camera
- Removable face gasket
- Adjustable head straps
- Fits over glasses
Connectivity
Via Link Box:
- HDMI
- USB 3.0
- Power
- 3-in-1 cable to headset
Package Contents
$799 bundle includes:
- Vive headset
- 2x Vive Controllers
- 2x Lighthouse base stations
- Link Box
- Cables and mounts
- Earbuds
PC Requirements
Minimum
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD R9 290
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350
- RAM: 4 GB
- Video: HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1080x1200 OLED x2 |
| Combined | 2160x1200 |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| FOV | 108-110° |
| Tracking | Lighthouse 1.0 |
| Controllers | 6DoF x2 included |
| Room Scale | Yes |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack |
| Price | $799 |
Reception
Praise:
- Room-scale VR revolutionary
- Lighthouse tracking precise
- 6DoF controllers included
- SteamVR platform strong
- Chaperone system useful
- Front-facing camera
- 90Hz smooth
- Good FOV
- Complete package
- Defined VR standard
Criticism:
- $799 expensive at launch
- Screen-door effect visible
- Lower resolution vs later HMDs
- External headphones needed
- Base station setup required
- Cabling inconvenient
- Heavy design
- Controller trackpad issues (later)
- Requires powerful PC[2]