Whether you're dealing with phones overheating, sensor placement issues, or the hardware inside your PC not running up to snuff, it's crucial to the overall VR experience that you get your hardware running smoothly. For the second day of VR tech tips, we're offering up a collection of tips and tricks that will indeed have you basking in an optimized virtual world. Let's get started!
Phone-based VR
There's somewhat less to worry about when it comes to performance issues on phone-based VR compared to the PC-based stuff, but that doesn't mean there aren't some helpful tips to get the best experience possible.
- How to get the best Gear VR experience from your phone
- Get the most out of your Gear VR with these tips and tricks
- Google Daydream troubleshooting guide
- Samsung Gear VR troubleshooting guide
You'll definitely want to close most running apps on your phone before diving into a VR experience, as there's no sense in dividing the internal hardware's attention. Turning down the screen brightness will no doubt help with battery life and heat, which can be a nagging issue. If you're running a Daydream View, you can try out a heatsink to help with keeping your phone cool.
- Using a heatsink can help with Daydream overheating
- How to prepare your Galaxy S8 for Google Daydream
If you're thinking about grabbing a new phone in the near future, have a look at these guides to help determine which is best for you (and for VR).
- The best smartphones for a killer VR experience
- The best phone for Google Daydream
- Samsung Galaxy S8 vs. S8+ vs. Note 8: Which phone is best for VR?
- Your current Pixel will work great in the new Daydream View
PlayStation VR
Rather than just charging up a phone and popping it into a headset, PSVR requires a bit of precision when setting up. Most importantly, you have to be sure that everything is plugged into the right spot which, on PSVR, can be kind of confusing at first. You also want to be sure that you have plenty of space, as you're going to be flailing around with Move controllers in hand. On that note, it's important to get perfect camera placement. Without, your movements likely won't be precisely tracked, leading to a frustrating time.
- How to set up PlayStation VR
- How to get the perfect PlayStation VR VR room setup
- How to get the ideal camera placement for PlayStation VR
Now that everything is set up as it should be, it's time to power on the PSVR head-mounted display (HMD). Need to update? No problem; the process is quick and easy. With the headset on, you might notice that the image is blurry. There are a few fixes here, which we've laid out for you. Finally, headset and controller tracking could be an issue. For a solution — and for far more help — check out our full PSVR troubleshooting guide.
- How to update PlayStation VR
- How to deal with blurry image in PlayStation VR
- PlayStation VR troubleshooting guide
HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
PC-based VR is undoubtedly the most finicky, but the payoff is absolutely worth any issues you might run into. Before getting into the actual VR headsets, it's important to get your PC running as well as possible. VR games and experiences mostly require a lot of power to run properly, so start here.
- How to ensure the best VR performance from your PC
- Do multiple monitors affect VR gaming performance?
- Which graphics card do you need for VR?
- What is asynchronous reprojection and how do I use it?
- What is Asynchronous Timewarp, Spacewarp, and why you should care
- Can I use both of my graphics cards with VR?
- How to split audio between VR and PC speakers
You'll likely have some long cables to contend with while in VR, but there are some tips, tricks, and third-party solutions that can keep you from tripping.
- Tips and tricks to avoid stepping on your VR cables
- The new best way to get your VR cable up off the floor
Your PC is running smoothly, and it's time to set up your VR system, whether HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, or Windows Mixed Reality (WMR).
HTC Vive
The Vive's lighthouse sensors likely require the most attention, as they must be set up with precision to ensure a comfortable tracking experience.
- The least painful way to set up HTC Vive lighthouses
- How to set up your HTC Vive lighthouses without drilling holes
Now it's time to make sure your controllers are paired, everything fits properly, and you're getting a clear image through the Vive's lenses.
- How to get the best fit for your HTC Vive
- How to get a crystal-clear image from your HTC Vive
- How to correctly adjust yours lens spacing on the HTC Vive
- How to pair your HTC Vive controllers
If you're experiencing any further issues, be sure to have a look at our extensive troubleshooting guide dedicated to the HTC Vive.
Oculus Rift
Like the Vive, the Rift's sensors require careful attention when getting set up, especially if you're working with three (or even four) sensors for a room-scale experience.
- How to set up your Oculus Rift quickly and efficiently
- How to enable room-scale on Oculus Rift
- This is what you need for room-scale on Oculus Rift
- How to check your Oculus sensor's view and boundary with Desk Scene
- Oculus Rift room-scale setup troubleshooting guide
- How to manually set up your Oculus Rift Guardian boundaries
- Doing more with Guardian for Oculus Touch
Everything is set up, your headset is tracking well, and you're anxious to get into VR. A proper fit is not only comfortable, it will also provide you with a clear image.
- How to get the best fit for your Oculus Rift
- How to adjust the lenses in your Oculus Rift
- How to remove the built-in Oculus Rift headphones
- How to extend your Oculus Rift cables for under $30
Experiencing an issue that won't let you enjoy VR? Be sure to have a look at our in-depth Oculus Rift troubleshooting guide for more help.
Windows Mixed Reality
WMR doesn't require extra external sensors for tracking, making the setup relatively quick and painless. There are, however, still some tips to follow to get the best experience possible.
- Everything you need to get started with Windows Mixed Reality
- How to set up your Windows Mixed Reality playspace
- How to connect Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers
- How to calibrate your Windows Mixed Reality headset display
- Which setup mode should you choose for Windows Mixed Reality?
- How to use a desktop microphone with Windows Mixed Reality
As with the Vive and Rift, we've put together a troubleshooting guide to help with some of the most common issues you'll experience with WMR.
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