ASUS Windows Mixed Reality
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| ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset HC102 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | Windows Mixed Reality |
| Creator | ASUS |
| Developer | ASUS, Microsoft |
| Manufacturer | ASUS |
| Announcement Date | August 2017 |
| Release Date | Spring 2018 |
| Price | $499 (with controllers) |
| Website | https://www.asus.com/ |
| Versions | ASUS HC102 |
| Requires | Windows Mixed Reality compatible PC |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | None |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows 10 (Windows Mixed Reality) |
| Chipset | N/A (PC-tethered) |
| CPU | N/A (host PC) |
| GPU | N/A (host PC) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A (host PC) |
| Memory | N/A (host PC) |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual LCD |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 1440 × 1440 per eye (2880 × 1440 combined) |
| Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz / 90Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 95° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~95° |
| Vertical FoV | ~95° |
| Average Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Fresnel lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Fixed (software adjustment) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None required |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | 90Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Roomscale |
| Latency | <20ms motion-to-photon |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Via 3.5mm jack (no built-in) |
| Microphone | No |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 2× tracking cameras |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0 |
| Ports | HDMI, USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio |
| Wired Video | Yes (HDMI 2.0) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Power | Powered via USB |
| Battery Capacity | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A (tethered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Weight | ~400g |
| Material | Plastic, metal |
| Headstrap | Balanced crown design with flip-up visor |
| Haptics | Controller haptics |
| Color | Black/Red accents |
| Sensors | 2× tracking cameras, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, proximity sensor |
| Input | Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers (2 included) |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
The ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset (model HC102) is a PC-powered virtual reality head-mounted display developed by ASUS for Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality platform, announced in August 2017 and released in Spring 2018 at a price of $499 with motion controllers. As one of the premium entries in the first wave of Windows Mixed Reality headsets, the ASUS HC102 differentiated itself with its distinctive polygon-faceted design aesthetic, flip-up visor for quick real-world access, and balanced crown ergonomics that distributed its 400-gram weight across the forehead and back of the skull. Featuring dual 2.89-inch LCD displays at 1440 × 1440 resolution per eye with 90Hz refresh rate and 95° field of view, the HC102 leveraged Windows Mixed Reality's inside-out tracking with dual front-facing cameras to eliminate external sensors while providing 6DoF room-scale VR. Though sharing the standard WMR specifications with competitors, the ASUS headset emphasized comfort and design for extended gaming and professional use.
History and Development
Windows Mixed Reality Platform
Microsoft ecosystem:
- October 2017 platform launch
- Multiple OEM partners
- Inside-out tracking standard
- PC VR accessibility
ASUS Partnership
Premium positioning:
- Gaming brand heritage
- Design-focused approach
- Premium pricing
- ROG aesthetic influence
August 2017 Announcement
Product reveal:
- Polygon design unveiled
- Flip-up visor feature
- Spring 2018 availability
- $499 price point
Spring 2018 Launch
Market entry:
- After initial WMR wave
- Premium positioning
- Gaming focus
- Complete bundle
Design Philosophy
Distinctive Aesthetics
Design focus:
- Polygon-faceted exterior
- Gaming-inspired look
- Black with red accents
- ASUS brand identity
Flip-Up Visor
Practical feature:
- Quick reality check
- No removal needed
- Work integration
- User convenience
Balanced Crown
Ergonomic design:
- Weight on forehead
- Rear counterbalance
- Extended comfort
- Under 400g weight
Premium Materials
Quality construction:
- Metal accents
- Quality plastics
- Durable design
- Professional finish
Display Technology
Dual LCD Displays
Standard WMR specification:
- Resolution: 1440 × 1440 per eye
- Combined: 2880 × 1440
- Size: 2.89 inches per display
- Type: LCD
Focal Distance
Optical design:
- 1.3m focal distance
- Comfortable viewing
- Reduced eye strain
- Standard WMR optics
Refresh Rate
Hybrid operation:
- 90Hz (HDMI 2.0)
- 60Hz (HDMI 1.4)
- Automatic selection
- PC dependent
Field of View
95° FOV
Standard WMR specification:
- Good coverage
- Adequate immersion
- Standard for platform
- Competitive specification
Optical System
Fresnel Lenses
Standard optics:
- Good clarity
- Wide sweet spot
- Some god rays
- Standard quality
Fixed IPD
No physical adjustment:
- Software IPD only
- ~63mm optimal
- Wide accommodation via software
- Simpler design
Tracking System
6DoF Inside-Out
WMR standard:
- Dual front-facing cameras
- No external sensors
- Room-scale capable
- Easy setup
Tracking Performance
WMR limitations:
- Good front tracking
- Limited side tracking
- Behind-back gaps
- Standard for platform
Controllers
Windows Mixed Reality Controllers
Standard input:
- 6DoF tracked
- LED tracking rings
- Thumbstick + touchpad
- Trigger and buttons
Controller Tracking
Camera-based:
- Visible spectrum LEDs
- Front-focused tracking
- Limited range behind user
- WMR standard
Audio
3.5mm Audio Jack
External audio required:
- No built-in speakers
- Headphone connection
- User's headphones
- Quality depends on user
No Built-In Audio
User provides:
- External headphones needed
- Flexibility in choice
- Quality depends on user
- Weight reduction
Physical Design
Lightweight
Comfortable weight:
- Under 400g
- Well-distributed
- Extended wear
- Premium feel
Flip-Up Visor
Unique feature:
- Quick lift design
- See real world
- No removal needed
- Work integration
Crown Design
Ergonomic fit:
- Forehead support
- Rear stability
- Dial adjustment
- Glasses compatible
Connectivity
Standard WMR Connection
PC requirements:
- HDMI 2.0 (90Hz) or HDMI 1.4 (60Hz)
- USB 3.0
- Power via USB
- Single cable possible
Software Platform
Windows Mixed Reality
Microsoft ecosystem:
- Windows 10 integration
- SteamVR compatible
- Windows Store apps
- Mixed Reality Portal
SteamVR Support
Content access:
- Via Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR
- SteamVR library access
- Wide content compatibility
- Additional setup required
Use Cases
Gaming
Primary application:
- PC VR gaming
- SteamVR content
- Windows MR titles
- Enthusiast gaming
Enterprise
Professional use:
- Training applications
- Visualization
- Design review
- Professional VR
Education
Learning applications:
- Educational content
- Virtual field trips
- Science visualization
- Classroom VR
Comparison with Other WMR Headsets
| Feature | ASUS HC102 | Samsung Odyssey | Dell Visor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $499 | $449 |
| Resolution | 1440×1440/eye | 1440×1600/eye | 1440×1440/eye |
| Display | LCD | AMOLED | LCD |
| Built-in Audio | No | Yes (AKG) | No |
| Flip-Up Visor | Yes | No | No |
| IPD Adjustment | No | Yes (mechanical) | No |
| Weight | ~400g | ~625g | ~590g |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Distinctive polygon design
- Flip-up visor feature
- Lightweight (~400g)
- Balanced crown ergonomics
- Inside-out tracking
- SteamVR compatibility
- Quality construction
Limitations
- No built-in audio
- Fixed IPD (no adjustment)
- Standard WMR tracking limitations
- Premium price vs competitors
- Limited controller tracking behind
- LCD vs AMOLED options
- Discontinued
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual LCD, 1440 × 1440 per eye |
| Total Resolution | 2880 × 1440 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz / 90Hz |
| FOV | 95° |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out |
| Controllers | WMR Motion Controllers |
| Connection | HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0 |
| Weight | ~400g |
| Price | $499 |