HTC has launched its latest XR headset, the Vive Focus Vision, targeting both enterprises and high-end gamers. This new headset is the newest addition to HTC Vive’s Vive Focus Series, known for its high-end VR and XR headsets. The Vive Focus Vision is priced at $999 and boasts a range of advanced features designed to deliver an immersive and high-fidelity experience for gamers and businesses alike.
The Vive Focus Vision is specifically built to excel in various applications, including Location-Based Experiences (LBE), industrial training, collaboration, and mixed-reality scenarios. Shen Ye, global head of product at HTC Vive, stated in an interview with VentureBeat, “Not only is it great for gamers, but it’s also going to be great for gamers that are experiencing this in arcades and other LBE experiences. We’ve now brought Vive Focus Vision to PCVR gaming.”
For PC gamers, the Vive Focus Vision offers a DisplayPort mode for PCVR, enabling lossless visuals through a physical connection to your PC’s graphics card. Despite this capability, the headset itself is powered by a Qualcomm XR processor. The DisplayPort mode is a key feature, ensuring that both enterprises and gamers can enjoy content exactly as intended by developers, without any degradation in visual quality. VR gamers with extensive SteamVR libraries will be particularly interested in the new Vive Focus Vision, as it offers a premium experience for their vast collections.
HTC has incorporated several user-friendly features into the Vive Focus Vision. Auto-IPD adjustment, with integrated eye-tracking, allows users to easily share the headset while ensuring crystal-clear visuals for each individual. This feature is especially beneficial in high-user turnover environments like VR arcades, LBEs, and training events. The headset also features two front-facing cameras enabling stereoscopic passthrough. This allows users to see the real world with natural depth perception while wearing the headset, blurring the line between virtual and real environments.
HTC has prioritized thermal management with a new cooling system, ensuring the headset runs cooler for extended periods. A built-in sub-battery provides up to 20 minutes of runtime while swapping batteries, eliminating downtime in enterprise settings.
The display itself is a standout feature. The Vive Focus Vision boasts a 120-degree FOV (field of view) and a 90Hz refresh rate. HTC has announced plans to upgrade the refresh rate to 120Hz through DisplayPort mode in late 2024. The headset offers a combined 5K resolution across both eyes, a depth sensor for scene recognition, and an infrared sensor for enhanced tracking in low-light conditions.
Ye emphasized the headset’s robustness, stating, “It’s really robust for high-throughput scenarios, especially in universities and arcades. It was used in space in a microgravity environment. After three years, it needed an upgrade, but we also wanted to make it… We wanted to build on top of it.”
The Vive Focus Vision builds upon the popular Vive Focus 3 platform, delivering upgraded visuals, enhanced comfort, and improvements in operational efficiency. These enhancements make the headset well-suited for multi-user scenarios, a common requirement in VR arcades. The Vive Focus Vision is also an ideal tool for employee training programs across various industries, including healthcare, defense, finance, and manufacturing.
Regarding the display resolution and refresh rate, Ye elaborated, “We have 5K resolution across both eyes, 90 hertz refresh rate, and we’ll be releasing 120 hertz for DisplayPort mode. For this specific headset, we also decided that we’re going to integrate eye tracking directly as well. It’s safe to say this will be the best headset for you to play VR content with the highest fidelity.”
Ye concluded, “Vive Focus Vision gives you the best of both worlds, with outstanding standalone capabilities, and DisplayPort mode support for visually lossless PCVR experiences. Now, PC gamers can bring the same high-end headsets used in VR arcades into their homes. We’re taking everything to the next level with built-in eye-tracking, stereo color passthrough cameras for depth-correct Mixed Reality, and even an infra-red sensor for enhanced hand tracking in low-light conditions.”
The Vive Focus Vision boasts an impressive battery life of around 2 hours. The hot-swappable battery system is a game-changer for many use cases, ensuring uninterrupted use. The improved fan also contributes to long-term comfort, especially in demanding environments like VR arcades.
On the audio front, the Vive Focus Vision features open speakers with noise cancellation, ensuring a private audio experience. Dual microphones with echo and noise cancellation further enhance communication. The converter simplifies connections, allowing different DisplayPorts to be connected to a USB DisplayPort for power. This results in a single, easy-to-use cable for a clutter-free experience.
HTC has opened pre-orders for the Vive Focus Vision, starting September 30th. Those who pre-order during this period will receive a complimentary Vive Wired Streaming Kit for DisplayPort mode, valued at $149. Buyers will also receive a free bundled game from a selection of popular titles.
The HTC Vive Focus Vision is priced at $999. With its combination of high-end features, advanced technology, and versatility, the Vive Focus Vision is poised to become a leading choice for both enterprise and high-end gaming applications.
