Pico 4: how to set it up for DCS?

[Lange_666]

I'm eyeballing (maybe) a Pico 4 but i'm a bit confused on how to set it up.
Currently i have a Rift-S which is just plug and play compared to all the WMR/SteamVR/OpenXR/OpenComposite/OpenVR mess that is out there to get quite a bit of headsets working.
First off, i don't have a wifi connection on my PC which seems to be needed already to get it going in order to set up a wired network, via a USB-C link cable for Virtual Desktop (at least that is what i read a bit all over the place).

So for those who have it running "without" anything SteamVR related, what steps do i need to take get it up and running?

[Thinder]

On 12/16/2022 at 2:58 PM, Lange_666 said:

I'm eyeballing (maybe) a Pico 4 but i'm a bit confused on how to set it up.
Currently i have a Rift-S which is just plug and play compared to all the WMR/SteamVR/OpenXR/OpenComposite/OpenVR mess that is out there to get quite a bit of headsets working.
First off, i don't have a wifi connection on my PC which seems to be needed already to get it going in order to set up a wired network, via a USB-C link cable for Virtual Desktop (at least that is what i read a bit all over the place).

So for those who have it running "without" anything SteamVR related, what steps do i need to take get it up and running?

I just ordered one, the 256GB model.

It wasn't an easy choice since I originally wanted a Pimax Crystal but I'm done waiting month for items released a week ago.

From what I understood, you will need the support of a 4090 or 7900 XTX to get the best of it, meaning smooth play with proper FPS with higher settings.

 

[propeler]

DCS. RTX 3080 + 5800x3d. Virtual Desktop on Ultra settings(not God mod). Works smooth. Picture is crystal. I think all those influencers are just trying us to sell 4090

 

[Lange_666]

1 hour ago, propeler said:

Virtual Desktop on Ultra settings(not God mod). Works smooth. 

Through Wifi or via a link cable?

+ i still like to know what the entire setup procedure is and what software is used (that was my original question).

Edited December 23, 2022 by Lange_666

[propeler]

Wifi

- install VD stream app on PC

- buy and install VD app on Pico

- run streaming app on PC, enter your Pico account name in settings.

- run streaming app on Pico, set picture quality

- run DCS

Profit :)

[5ephir0th]

9 hours ago, propeler said:

DCS. RTX 3080 + 5800x3d. Virtual Desktop on Ultra settings(not God mod). Works smooth. Picture is crystal. I think all those influencers are just trying us to sell 4090

 

Changed from a 3080Ti to 4090, night and day, its simply that not all of us have the same measuring bar for quality or smoothness...

[propeler]

It simply that not all of us there could spend 2k $ on  GPU upgrade when on other GPU quality could be good enough to enjoy the picture. In ideal world all flight simmers are playing in most modern VR headset on most  powerful GPU. But unfortunately we are living in the far from perfect world.

[KoN]

Just Bought the Pico4 headset for Xmas . Will be testing . I think now its PCVR wired from headset too Computer with new updates . Try Youtube . 

I'm tired of bouncing through hoops to get nice game play in DCS .  

SteamVR , openXr, PerfurVR, the  list goes on and on . 

Hurry up Vulkan and multithread . 

And I don't and wont spend 2k on a graphics card to to keep up with DCS - VR  .

As we all know poverty and prices has risen by in the west .  

Edited December 24, 2022 by KoN

[Etna]

It is not possible to connect dcs via usb in Pico 4? I ask because when I try the game does not start. I am using Streaming Assistant. Apparently touching some parameters in the RVRPlugin.bit file works better than VD.
I would like to be able to use the Usb cable since it gives less latency and more quality

[Johnny Dioxin]

On 12/23/2022 at 6:41 PM, 5ephir0th said:

Changed from a 3080Ti to 4090, night and day, its simply that not all of us have the same measuring bar for quality or smoothness...

That isn't the point - the point is that the statement that a 4090 is required to get decent performance from a Pico 4 is driven by something other than being a fact. I have a 4080 but I'm sure my 2080Ti would have given good performance with it. So why do they say that? Of course the better the card the better the performance, and so it's obvious that you will get the best out of a headset by having a better graphics card. But it definitely isn't a must have to get decent performance.

Edited December 27, 2022 by Johnny Dioxin

[Oellness]

Hi, anyone got the Pico 4 running with openxr in dcs?

Can i expect more Performance from ppenxr?

 

How do i setup openxr for dcs and the pico?

 

Thanks!

[KoN]

On 12/27/2022 at 12:55 AM, Etna said:

It is not possible to connect dcs via usb in Pico 4? I ask because when I try the game does not start. I am using Streaming Assistant. Apparently touching some parameters in the RVRPlugin.bit file works better than VD.
I would like to be able to use the Usb cable since it gives less latency and more quality

im running DCS with Pico4 it opens SteamVR then go desktop and double click DCS . EXE . But as im new too Pico i maybe wrong What cable are you using . Mine is USB-C too C . 

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

On 12/28/2022 at 4:25 PM, Oellness said:

Hi, anyone got the Pico 4 running with openxr in dcs?

Can i expect more Performance from ppenxr?

 

How do i setup openxr for dcs and the pico?

 

Thanks!

1. Find and download the file "openvr_api.dll" from the OpenComposite website;
2. Copy and replace the said file to the bin subdirectory under your DCS installation directory (backup of the old file is highly recommended);
3. If you have not already done so, get the OpenXR toolkit and also the OpenCompsite launcher;
4. Make sure you set to use OpenComposite using the OpenComposite launcher; and
5. Lauch DCS World with the SteamVR (not from the Virtual Desktop system tray).

Do not expect the level of performance of Quest 2 + OpenXR + OpenComposite. It is definitely better than plain/pain SteamVR, but not as good as using Oculus Runtime. I am uploading a video to illustrate their differences.

[Lange_666]

So SteamVR is mandatory? Not possible to circumvent this?

[Mr_sukebe]

Officially, Neo don't support OpenXR.  If there's a workaround for it, that's great.

There is definitely a workaround to allow Virtual Desktop to stream using the USB connection.  I had it running during the week that I had a Pico 4. Sorry, can't remember what the solution was, but it exists and if you google it, you'll find it.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

30 minutes ago, Lange_666 said:

So SteamVR is mandatory? Not possible to circumvent this?

Nope. If Virtual Desktop for Pico4 is used, launch DCS directly from Virtual Desktop on System Tray, then DCS would be running in Oculus Runtime. It is no OpenXR, but it runs a little better.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

On 12/27/2022 at 12:55 AM, Etna said:

It is not possible to connect dcs via usb in Pico 4? I ask because when I try the game does not start. I am using Streaming Assistant. Apparently touching some parameters in the RVRPlugin.bit file works better than VD.
I would like to be able to use the Usb cable since it gives less latency and more quality

I thought Pico 4 Streaming Assistant gives you an option to connect via USB-C...

[Mr_sukebe]

14 hours ago, VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants said:

I thought Pico 4 Streaming Assistant gives you an option to connect via USB-C...

It does.  However, games seem to look a LOT better when using VD.  Don’t ask me how or why, as I don’t know.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

As in the other thread, apart from SD is free and the frame rate is better, I see no reason not to go with VD. I now wish VD supports USB 3 connection.

[Bearskin]

 

16 hours ago, Lange_666 said:

So SteamVR is mandatory? Not possible to circumvent this?

I downloaded the open XR toolkit and opencomposite, (Followed FlightGuy's video) and DCS world worked without steam VR and it gave a nice upgrade for FPS. I didn't fire up DCS for a few weeks and in the meantime there was a DCS update, a VD update and a PICO update and now I cant get openxr toolkit / open composite to work without Steam opening. I formatted my computer in October just after I got the PICO to get rid of all the Oculus software so oculus runtime would also stop kicking in.  So open composite/openxr toolkit was great while it worked but now it just comes up with an error saying something like no HMD and I have now uninstalled and got rid of any open xr stuff in the regedit file and on my computer. 

[KoN]

1 hour ago, Mr_sukebe said:

It does.  However, games seem to look a LOT better when using VD.  Don’t ask me how or why, as I don’t know.

Correct there is some bug with stream assistant that is downgrading the graphics to a lower Resolution with in DCS .

Virtual Desktop seems too Fix this . Ultra settings or Godlike . 

At the moment Pico4 software isnt up to standard . Virtual Desktop seems too Fix all problems . 

2 minutes ago, Bearskin said:

 

I downloaded the open XR toolkit and opencomposite, (Followed FlightGuy's video) and DCS world worked without steam VR and it gave a nice upgrade for FPS. I didn't fire up DCS for a few weeks and in the meantime there was a DCS update, a VD update and a PICO update and now I cant get openxr toolkit / open composite to work without Steam opening. I formatted my computer in October just after I got the PICO to get rid of all the Oculus software so oculus runtime would also stop kicking in.  So open composite/openxr toolkit was great while it worked but now it just comes up with an error saying something like no HMD and I have now uninstalled and got rid of any open xr stuff in the regedit file and on my computer. 

Pico Uses StreamVR The only thing we all can Do is wait for Pico to sort their poor Software out . So that its on Par with VD . 

I love the headset But its still a new product . DCS looks very low Resolution to me looks like 1080p . Even with StreamVR set too 200% 3160x3160 . Wireless . 

[Bearskin]

6 minutes ago, KoN said:

 

Pico Uses StreamVR The only thing we all can Do is wait for Pico to sort their poor Software out . So that its on Par with VD . 

 

You must have misread my post, I did have DCS with the PICO running without Steam VR and also without having to replace Open vr in the DCS folder. I just fired up the xr toolkit, opened open composite and put DCS to open with open composite. Fired up VD opened up the BIN file in DCS through VD and clicked on the DCS exe. DCS then opened up without Steam VR starting. The thing is in Flight Guys video when the task bar is clicked to open up the Folder to select the BIN file, a pop up error occurs and is dismissed, that used to happen for me too but the pop up no longer appears. I am guessing that the VD update is the reason why I cannot get it to work anymore.

[Lange_666]

15 minutes ago, Bearskin said:

 

I downloaded the open XR toolkit and opencomposite, (Followed FlightGuy's video) and DCS world worked without steam VR and it gave a nice upgrade for FPS. I didn't fire up DCS for a few weeks and in the meantime there was a DCS update, a VD update and a PICO update and now I cant get openxr toolkit / open composite to work without Steam opening. I formatted my computer in October just after I got the PICO to get rid of all the Oculus software so oculus runtime would also stop kicking in.  So open composite/openxr toolkit was great while it worked but now it just comes up with an error saying something like no HMD and I have now uninstalled and got rid of any open xr stuff in the regedit file and on my computer. 

Pico 4 looked quite promising in the beginning but i'm not interrested/willing to run multiple interface program upon interface program, each with it's own interfering setups just to get the thing going. I ain't gonna go that road.
 

[Bearskin]

8 minutes ago, Lange_666 said:

Pico 4 looked quite promising in the beginning but i'm not interrested/willing to run multiple interface program upon interface program, each with it's own interfering setups just to get the thing going. I ain't gonna go that road.
 

Ok M8, you asked if it was possible to circumvent Steam VR, I just told you it was. 

Edited January 1, 2023 by Bearskin

[Bearskin]

So I just got DCS world running again without SteamVR, so for anyone who is interested, download open composite launcher, the link can be found on the openxr toolkit page under the step by step chapter. Extract it and open up opencomposite. Press switch to opencomposite. Start virtual desktop, then open the virtual desktop streamer icon on your taskbar. Then long click with the right vr controller on the virtual desktop streamer icon on the taskbar and a pop up should appear, click launch game, a pop up error will appear along with a window titled launch game. In this window go to your DCS world folder, then open the Bin folder and click the DCS world.exe. There is no need to download the openxr toolkit, just the open composite launcher.

With the open composite launcher it stores all your games as you use them for the first time since installing opencomposite, so you have to go into configure and click each game to start with Opencomposite or steam, I have only got DCS world so far running without steam VR so the rest of my games I switch to Steam.