Vive Cosmos
The VIVE Cosmos is a PC virtual reality head-mounted display developed by HTC, released on October 3, 2019 at $699 (Cosmos) or $899 (Cosmos Elite). Featuring a flip-up visor design for easy transition between VR and reality, RGB LCD displays at 1440x1700 per eye (88% more pixels than original Vive), inside-out 6DoF tracking via six cameras, modular faceplate system for expandability, and new knuckle-style controllers, the Cosmos represented HTC's move toward inside-out tracking while maintaining backwards compatibility with SteamVR base stations via the modular system.
| Vive Cosmos | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | SteamVR, VIVEPORT |
| Developer | HTC |
| Manufacturer | HTC |
| Release Date | October 3, 2019 |
| Price | $699 USD / $899 (Elite) |
| Website | https://www.vive.com/ |
| Predecessor | Vive Pro |
| Successor | Vive XR Elite |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | LCD (RGB, dual) |
| Resolution | 1440x1700 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 110° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out, 6 cameras) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated stereo headphones |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
History and Development
HTC announced the Vive Cosmos at CES 2019, launching it on October 3, 2019 as a successor to the Vive Pro. The Cosmos introduced inside-out tracking to HTC's lineup, eliminating the need for external base stations. The modular faceplate system allowed users to swap between inside-out and SteamVR tracking. The Cosmos Elite variant ($899) shipped with the External Tracking Faceplate and base stations for traditional SteamVR tracking.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
High-resolution RGB LCD:
- 1440x1700 per eye resolution
- 2880x1700 combined
- Dual RGB LCD screens (3.4-inch each)
- 90 Hz refresh rate
- 110° field of view
- 88% more pixels than original Vive
- Reduced pixel gap
- Minimal screen-door effect
Tracking
Inside-out 6DoF:
- 6DoF tracking
- Inside-out tracking
- 6 cameras
- G-sensor
- Gyroscope
- No external hardware required
Modular Faceplate
Expandable design:
- Swappable faceplates
- Standard inside-out faceplate
- External Tracking Faceplate (optional)
- SteamVR compatibility
- Future expansion potential
Controllers
New knuckle-style design:
- Touch sensitivity
- Two application buttons
- Trigger
- Joystick
- Bumper
- Grip button
- Improved ergonomics
Flip-Up Visor
- Flip-up design
- Quick reality check
- Easy VR/reality transition
- Unique feature
Audio
- Integrated stereo headphones
- On-ear form-fitting
- Rich audio
- Comfortable design
Comfort
- Crown fit headband
- Quick and easy donning
- Wide face shape compatibility
- Fits over glasses
- Vision type support
Wireless
- VIVE Wireless Adapter compatible
- Untethered VR option
- Optional accessory
Variants
Cosmos (Standard)
- $699 USD
- Inside-out tracking
- 6-camera system
- No base stations needed
Cosmos Elite
- $899 USD
- External Tracking Faceplate
- SteamVR base station support
- Professional tracking precision
PC Requirements
Minimum
- CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350
- GPU: GTX 970 / AMD R9 290 (4GB)
- RAM: 4 GB
- Video: DisplayPort 1.2+
- USB: USB 3.0+
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Cosmos | Cosmos Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1440x1700 per eye | Same |
| Combined | 2880x1700 | Same |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz | Same |
| FOV | 110° | Same |
| Tracking | Inside-out (6 cam) | SteamVR |
| Flip-Up | Yes | Yes |
| Modular | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $699 | $899 |
Reception
Praise:
- 1440x1700 per eye high resolution
- 88% more pixels than Vive
- Flip-up visor convenient
- Modular faceplate innovative
- Inside-out tracking no setup
- 110° FOV wide
- RGB LCD minimal SDE
- Knuckle controllers improved
- Wireless adapter compatible
- SteamVR option via Elite
Criticism:
- $699-$899 premium pricing
- Inside-out tracking less precise
- 6 cameras still had issues
- Controller tracking complaints
- 90Hz vs 120Hz competitors
- Heavy design
- LCD vs OLED contrast
- Faceplate cost extra
- Mixed tracking reviews[2]