HTC’s new VR headset, the Vive XR Elite, is technically three headsets in one. The headset shown at CES is suitable as a standalone solution for gaming and work, connected to the gaming PC for gaming or as entertainment glasses on the go. This is made possible by the modular design of the device. The relatively small headset with pancake lenses consists of glasses, headband and battery. The latter can be removed if you only want to use the headset as glasses – then, for example, a smartphone serves as a player and power source.
With the Vive XR Elite, HTC attacks the Meta Quest Pro and Pico 4. Like these, the XR Elite is based on the XR2 chip – the Quest Pro contains the slightly modified XR2+ – and combines high resolution (1920 × 1920 pixels per eye) with a maximum refresh rate of 90 Hertz. HTC puts the field of view at 110 degrees. Like the Quest Pro and Pico 4, the HTC glasses are capable of full-color RGB pass-through, which means they can bring the environment onto the glasses to make orientation in space easier or to enable mixed forms of virtual and real reality.
According to HTC, for example, real-time overlays on musical instruments should make learning easier in combination with hand tracking. In addition, the glasses can simulate a virtual workspace with multiple screens while still typing on the real keyboard. The headset not only transmits the movements into the VR with the help of finger tracking, alternatively you can use the included controllers, which record finger movements capacitively.
Lenses compensate for myopia
The headset orients itself in space with the help of four wide-angle cameras and a depth sensor. HTC plans to deliver a module with cameras aimed at the user for face and eye tracking in order to transfer facial expressions to VR. The company has not yet announced a price for the expansion. Glasses do not fit under the small headset. Adjustable lenses should be able to compensate for short-sightedness up to -6 dioptres. According to HTC, no correction is necessary for long-sighted people.
When fully equipped with the battery and headband attached to the back of the head, the HTC glasses are very similar to the Pico 4 and weigh 625 grams. According to HTC, the battery lasts two hours and can be replaced during use. If you remove the battery, you can replace the headband with glasses. In this configuration, a smartphone serves as a player and, for example, sends films to the screen of the glasses.
100 titles to start with
Connected to a PC you have access to PCVR content from Viveport and Steam. In addition to USB-C, the Vive XR Elite also supports connection via WiFi 6E. At the start, the app store is filled with 100 applications that can be played independently on the headset. If the battery is inserted in the headset, Android smartphones can send wireless streaming content to the glasses. Games like Fortnite can also be displayed on the glasses and played with a controller on the smartphone.
HTC sells the Vive XR Elite for 1399 euros, the package includes the headset, battery and two controllers. The manufacturer is now taking pre-orders and plans to start shipping at the end of February.
(rbr)
