Chivas

Yes, DCS has received two Vive headsets, but the big question is when or will they have time to implement support IF a lot of work is required. There is no doubt they will try the Vive headset to see how it works with the VR features already built into DCS for the Rift support, and try to access how much work would be required to implement both. BUT I wouldn't hold my breath, as I doubt the development would have much time to look at the Vive headset, when they are currently up to their ass in alligators trying to get EDGE out the door. Wags did suggest he would get back to us after the access the situation. :) Hopefully Wags will have some info before the Vive goes on sale, and the Rift preorders are available.

Wags.....Oculus is setting up its own VR store...which you visit, download games, and play all while in the Rift. Since DCS has been working closely with Oculus, will people be able to buy DCS at the Rift Home store?

24 Minutes with Oculus Founder Palmer Luckey on Rift CV1, Touch Controllers, Fresnel Lenses and More This is a very good revue of the current Rift status, that also suggests that all specs aren't necessarily nailed down until the manufacturing process begins. It also continues to prove that those starting and indorsing the theory that Facebook, and Vive have killed the Rift will continue to be wrong.

Apparently its possible to see under the gap of the nose section of the headset that people have been able to look thru. Personally it would just kill immersion for me, as I can use my Hotas and type without having to look at my keyboard or Hotas. :) Also VAC software will be very handy for many communication requirements.

Do you also have an Oculus Crescent Bay prototype ,or are you still using the old Oculus DK2 prototype.

Early reviews of the Rift CV1 say there is no screen door effect, and the blacks are blacker, and the colors brighter. The blacker blacks and no screen door effect just may make it possible to see distant aircraft with the Oculus Rift.

Microsoft in not only partnering with Oculus, but Vive aswell to provide seamless Windows 10 support for VR.

I was thinking the same thing. :) Unfortunately multi gpu setups introduce latency, and syncing issues in VR. I've always had better experiences with a highend single gpu than SLI type setups, especially in combat flight sims. That said Nvidia, and AMD have been working closely with Oculus and probably other headset creators, to improve their drivers etc for VR.

I'm not so sure that a 980Ti would drive a 210* 5K displays, in a complex combat flight sim. It will be interesting to see the system spec sdriving that monster at E3. Although if I remember correctly one of their earlier prototypes had an onboard cpu/gpu, that might be difficult to sync with the desktop cpu/gpu.

Very interesting and must see video that highlights portions of the Jun11 Oculus CV1 presentation. One of the first things the developer suggests is.... you don't see the pixels. The portion on the inputs is very informative. aswell http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/11/8766701/oculus-rift-consumer-edition-e3#ooid=NsOTFtdTrGzBmMDD2n6vEAaLyb6sZHC2

11Screen door effect doesn't seem to be an issue with either the Vive or Rift in the latest iterations. The resolution could still be a problem. The Rift headset strap systems slides forward and back to allow for eyeglasses, and also has different inserts to allow for different facial structures. The Rift and Vive units also have physical IPD adjustments. http://uploadvr.com/oculus-rift-shipping-with-multiple-facial-interfaces/?hvid=4LTNJo I like the new Rift inputs, with the pistol grip form factor, that allows finger dexterity to simulate handling objects, and signalling, etc in a shooter sim. I wonder if some sort of quick connect docking system could be developed so the dual inputs could be used as a Stick/throttle in a clickable cockpit environment. It wouldn't be that hard to make, but not sure if the wireless, and tracking will match the precision of a hardwired Hotas system. It looks like the Vive and Rift headsets/inputs will be similarly functional, so it might come down to content and price. It still looks like the Rift will be cheaper especially for combat flight simmers who won't need inputs. The first CV1 will be bundled with a free Xbox controller that we won't need. If we want the new controllers I assume they might be priced separately as they won't be available for a couple months after the CV1's initial release. The Xbox controller was bundled with the Rift because third parties have been developing for Rift for a couple of years with these types of controllers. It also gives Oculus access to the Console market, and gives Microsoft access to the VR market, another win/win. Personally I don't care what the price is as I will buy the one that best suits my needs. So at the moment it comes down to content for me, and that still appears to be the Rift with DCS support. Much more info to come at E3 to help us make a better decision. I would imagine Vive will have to give us more details soon if they still plan for a release this year.

Its almost impossible to guess the time line of beta testing. Its a function of how many bugs they are comfortable with inflicting on the general public, and the internal/external pressures put on the developer to release the project by the people funding the project.

I would agree that the DK2 isn't good enough, but it still remains to be seen if the CV1 is good enough. The CV1 uses a completely different display resolution, different display characteristics/specs, and different lenses. Not to mention a physical IPD adjustment which should make a huge difference for some of us. No point in stating one way or another until we hear and see more info from Oculus, DCS, etc.

The display resolution appears to be set, as the recommended system specs have been posted. No word yet what the FOV is, other than saying it has a wide field of view. The CV1 will have room for eyeglasses, AND a physical IPD adjustment. Yay Oculus has made some very strategic partners in Facebook, Samsung, and Microsoft. The partnership with Microsoft which should guarantee good Windows10/DX12 support, along with access to the console market as well as the PC market. Not to mention Oculus close work with Nvidia, and AMD for GPU driver support. I like the input device they are working on, as it should work well in many scenarios. Even shooters, as the input device has a trigger. I don't see them working that well with flight sims, as we already have the best solution in our Hotas systems. Although I can see them working well in arcade type flight sims. I suppose one could be used to simulate a stick and the other a throttle, along with ability to use them in a clickable cockpit scenario, but I still would prefer the feel of an actual stick and throttle. Maybe someday they could have a thimble type device to fit over a fingertip/fingers to use in a clickable cockpit scenario. So far the Rift specs, and DCS support has my vote, and I will probably preorder the Rift, and cancel if Vive releases something better, IF it also includes DCS support. I still see the Rift being cheaper than the Vive, as the wireless Microsoft controller will probably be thrown in free. That said the Rift inputs are being released later so its price will be separate from the headset price. The total of which should still be cheaper than the Vive set, if Oculus still plans to sell their hardware at cost. Either way we should have two decent Vive and Rift headsets to choose from, and just go with the one that better suits are needs. :)

It appears the latest Vive prototype has a physical IPD adjustment that not only moves the lenses, but the displays aswell. That should make the adjustment work much better than having to adjust the software of a single display to accommodate the new lens positions.

Good News, Bad News Ghost Machine Launches Alpha, Greenlight for VR Flight Sim Warhawks http://vrfocus.com/archives/16064/ghost-machine-launches-alpha-greenlight-for-vr-flight-sim-warhawks/ Good News..... VR could invigorate the flight sim market again Bad News...... It will be mostly arcade type sims Good News....... Many of the new arcade flyers could create a demand for more demanding combat flight sims, creating a market big enough for developers to jump back into the genre.

I doubt it was planned marketing. The writer of the article took a statement from Irbe ,and used it as the title of his article. People who read the article would understand he was talking about total PC and Headset price. Unfortunately some people who haven't followed the development, and/or didn't read the article might assume that it was the cost of the headset. When I read the article a few days ago, my first thought was there would be a number of posts in the VR forums from people suggesting they were going to buy the Vibe headset because the Rift was gonna cost 1500 dollars. It has happened, but I was actually surprised when it didn't happen here. ;)

Its OBVIOUS, and the developers have stated the fact many times that the Oculus Rift is intended to be a highend device targeting the highend gaming PC market. They just didn't know how highend until they had most the HMD specs nailed down, and how much they could optimize their first consumer headset. Oculus has never waivered from that plan, but there has been much speculation since the Facebook buyout that the Rift would be built exclusively for social media. There has never been a single fact to base that theory on. That said there is absolutely no reason a highend VR headset couldn't be used for social media aswell. They also provided Samsung with the necessary tech for their GearVR mobile headset. Mobile VR will escalate the VR market much quicker for obvious reasons. Their deal with Samsung should also give Oculus access to highend displays with tech like high Fill Rate, high HTZ, Global display, etc necessary for the best VR possible in their first consumer version, at a reasonable pricepoint. Its a win/win partnership. Carmack has been working exclusively with mobile VR tech, which should bode well when they can eventually make the Oculus Rift wireless.

Of course we don't know. Forums are mostly full of speculation, which isn't a problem, just like your statement that DCS will quickly have Vive support because its apparently easy, and copies of DCS are sold on steam. Its just that some speculation is based on more logic than others.

It depends if Oculus still plans to sell their units at cost, but either way I suspect the Oculus will sell for between 350 and 500 dollars, still cheaper and more immersive than a good monitor and TrackIR. I know I will probably never have to upgrade my monitor or TrackIR again, as my gaming needs will be in VR. I'll sell the TrackIR5, and any old monitor will do just fine for research etc. :)

I'm sure DCS will eventually look at implementing Vive support, but they are currently being killed in the forums for DCS World 2 and EDGE delays, so I doubt they will allocate any manhours to Vive support, until EDGE with Oculus support is released. I know that Oculus has been working with DCS for sometime, and wonder if they have given DCS some financial and/or manpower support that might give DCS pause to looking at implementing Vive until the Rift has been released? Speculation keeps the forums lively. :)

There may or may not be any validity too the claims, either way its doubtful it will effect the product we buy next year. Facebook, and Oculus have plenty of good lawyers to deal with any contingency.

I would imagine we will see improved VR HMD's every year or so, especially as home computers improve, and VR technology/displays are improved/optimized. Best guess is the first Oculus and Vive units will release with reasonably close specs, with Oculus selling around a hundred dollars cheaper if they still plan to sell the Rift units at cost, and their input solution doesn't throw a spanner into their evaluation.

Not yet they haven't. Maybe by the summer. It will only give most developers a few months to implement their software for Vive, if they manage to release their hardware this November. Valve: HTC Vive Developer Edition to Ship ‘Very, Very Soon’ http://vrfocus.com/archives/15260/valve-htc-vive-developer-edition-to-ship-very-very-soon/ "Late last month saw Valve launch a sign-ups for the Developer Edition of the HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD). Studios are currently able to apply for free kits by describing their projects. Valve will then be selecting successful applicants and distributing developer edition kits throughout summer 2015. Many had hoped that the first of these devices would be showcased by now but Valve itself has recently reassured that they will be shipping ‘very, very soon’."

I have no idea, but can something be rendered smaller than a pixel? Aren't distant aircraft rendered as small as one pixel or more as it gets closer. If that's true, it stands to reason that the distant aircraft would appear bigger than on a monitor at the same resolution since a pixel appears larger in VR.