The new HTC Vive Pro is a formidable little bit of equipment, however after having it strapped to my face at CES I’m much less enthused concerning the visible improve than I’m concerning the large ergonomic enchancment.
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HTC announced the new Vive Pro on Monday, promising a a pair of three.5-inch OLED shows with the next decision than the unique Vive, built-in headphones, twin microphones, and a dual-camera setup on the entrance. They’ve additionally built-in one of the best bits from their Deluxe Audio Strap to make it simpler to mount in your bonce.
Before making an attempt out the brand new Vive Pro headset I anticipated that the elevated decision on provide can be the largest plus level for the brand new gadget, however that positively got here in a distant second to the general design.
Don’t get me mistaken, I’m very happy HTC have improved the native res of the screens. The authentic 1080 x 1200 per eye decision feels a little bit gritty, so boosting that as much as 1440 x 1600 looks as if it might be a fairly hefty improve. We’re speaking about an additional two million pixels being thrown round, which is a 78% enchancment over the primary Vive.
But the distinction while you’re carrying it doesn’t appear that stark. I examined the unique and Pro variations of the Vive one after the opposite, in the identical Intel demo setup, and the visible improve wasn’t as huge as I’d anticipated, or perhaps hoped. Text is certainly clearer, and issues are inevitably a little bit sharper, however should you have been hoping for a step-change in VR visuals you may find yourself being a little bit disillusioned.
It’s the ergonomic improve that’s the obvious, nevertheless, and that was what excited me most about my first expertise of the Vive Pro. It’s a lot lighter than the usual model, and it feels extra balanced in your head too. That alone goes to make your time in a digital world extra pleasurable and cozy for longer durations of time.
The new strap makes use of the identical dial-based tightening mechanism because the Deluxe Audio Strap and provides in additional padding on the again to assist it match snugly with out squeezing the life out of your cranium.
HTC haven’t revealed any specs for the way heavy it’s now, however due to the improved balancing it feels far lower than the primary Vive’s 550g weight. HTC did handle to shave 15% off the load by means of improved manufacturing in successive manufacturing runs of the Vive, and it appears they’ve gone even additional with the Vive Pro.
Despite the elevated decision placing additional calls for on the wi-fi bandwidth, the newly introduced cable-free module that’s resulting from ship after the summer season will nonetheless work with the Vive Pro. It wants a special cabling system, because of the single-wire setup of the Pro, however doesn’t actually have any issues with the brand new native decision.
Because of the cable change, and the very fact HTC hadn’t equipped Intel with the brand new wire, I couldn’t attempt the wi-fi module out with the Pro, however did get to play with it on the usual Vive. It’s obtained a contemporary design, however nonetheless feels as reliably responsive because it did after I tried Intel’s WiGig prototype at E3 final 12 months. What it doesn’t do, nevertheless, is really feel as floppy because the retro-fitted demo equipment did again then. With the brand new module securely connected to the headset you genuinely will overlook there’s something additional on prime of your head.
We’re nonetheless ready on pricing for the Vive Pro and Wireless Adapter, and we don’t know when the Pro is scheduled for launch both. HTC have mentioned, nevertheless, that we will count on to go cable-free with VR in Q3 this 12 months. So prepare for many E3 and Gamescom demo motion…
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