Vive Cosmos
| 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 | |
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.
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]