Pico 4: how to set it up for DCS?

[Danzig]

Is there a way to run VD+DCS without steam VR?

[mrsylvestre]

Yes. The single threaded version can work with the Oculus runtime, without Steam VR. For that, you have to launch the ../bin/dcs.exe from within virtual desktop via the "launch game..." contextual menu from the VD icon in the system tray, to the right of the windows taskbar (if you launch it through the start menu or from the file explorer, it will default to Steam VR). Also, I may be wrong, but I don't think that it is possible with the multithreaded version. Note that you don't need anything in addition to VD to use the Oculus runtime (I never installed any Oculus software).

[Peedee]

3 hours ago, mrsylvestre said:

Yes. The single threaded version can work with the Oculus runtime, without Steam VR. For that, you have to launch the ../bin/dcs.exe from within virtual desktop via the "launch game..." contextual menu from the VD icon in the system tray, to the right of the windows taskbar (if you launch it through the start menu or from the file explorer, it will default to Steam VR). Also, I may be wrong, but I don't think that it is possible with the multithreaded version. Note that you don't need anything in addition to VD to use the Oculus runtime (I never installed any Oculus software).

It works with multithreading too. In addition to what you have do to start the single thread version, you have to change one value in Windows registry first. Don’t remember the exact location in the registry, but it is there where it states which open XR to use, and you just change that value to “none”.  Works like a charm. 
 

But, if you play another bar game that use SteamVR, then you have to enter the registry and change it back to none again before launching DCS.

I play the multithreaded version with Pico 4 this way, without SteamVR. I get better performance  

[zaelu]

5 hours ago, Peedee said:

It works with multithreading too. In addition to what you have do to start the single thread version, you have to change one value in Windows registry first. Don’t remember the exact location in the registry, but it is there where it states which open XR to use, and you just change that value to “none”.  Works like a charm. 
 

But, if you play another bar game that use SteamVR, then you have to enter the registry and change it back to none again before launching DCS.

I play the multithreaded version with Pico 4 this way, without SteamVR. I get better performance  

I am curious to know where I could find that registry setting? Is this one:

Quote

• 2 Type in “regedit” (without quotations) and hit Enter. This will launch the Registry Editor.
• 3 Locate the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1

Also The MT version of DCS has some bugs  like setting a cockpit in English will revert it to Russian in MT? My Mi24 does that.

Have you guys tested also the new setting in VD for super sampling via headsets Android system? It appears to Advanced options when High is selected in Streaming, Not available for Ultra and Godlike.

Edited May 1, 2023 by zaelu

[Qcumber]

19 hours ago, mrsylvestre said:

The single threaded version can work with the Oculus runtime,

When I run it this way I get random stutters and cannot work out what the issue is. Through steam VR it is much smoother. 

11 hours ago, zaelu said:

Have you guys tested also the new setting in VD for super sampling via headsets Android system?

Yes. I have been running this at High it gets quite good results for a modest system like mine (5600x and rx 6700). You need to turn off any sharpening (or very low settings) as it can look too harsh. I'm still tweaking settings. 

[kerlcat]

On 3/8/2023 at 7:31 AM, Timmy51 said:

What is your latency? Mine is between 45 to 70 and I'm wondering why it's so high

 

Been a while since you asked. FYI. Mine is 45-60ms w/ Runtime Oculus(OpenXR in nature), and Ultra mode. 

[kerlcat]

On 3/15/2023 at 9:58 AM, crispy12 said:

Still getting CTD on my Pico with VD, when trying to run DCS MT

Anyone else have this issue?
I removed Saved Games DCS folder, did a full clean and repair
Updated my GPU drivers
Crash at game loading screen. Once every 10 times I get to load the menu and it's super smooth in the Mig 29 VR menu, but it crashes when I try to launch a mission.

Using Quest 2, I get constant 90 FPS with DCS MT

 

Notice your ask is aged a bit. Anyway, here is my similar crash which solved by Flappie. You may find it useful. 

 

[crispy12]

11 minutes ago, kerlcat said:

Notice your ask is aged a bit. Anyway, here is my similar crash which solved by Flappie. You may find it useful. 

 

Thank you! I had solved it earlier as well - using the regedit to remove the OpenXR key as you mentioned. It worked for me after that without starting SteamVR

[kerlcat]

My pleasure. I am also learning from others who paved the road for us. 

About regedit, that value was changed everytime I ran a SteamVR game (like BeatSober or Alyx). So I have to change it back before running DCS. Any clue how to solve it?

Also there are 2 other issues besides above one I have with Pico4 via PD on MT as below. Wonder if any pico user experinced same to share solutions. 

Issue 3.mild

Loading progress not reflected on headset(only shows "loading" without any updated details/steps) while can see it on display as usual in the meantime. 

Issue 4. mild

Image freezing or strangely displayed outside any loading image.

[Hillman]

15 hours ago, kerlcat said:

About regedit, that value was changed everytime I ran a SteamVR game (like BeatSober or Alyx). So I have to change it back before running DCS. Any clue how to solve it?

You need to change the registry again unfortunately. I created a two bat-files for this and you see the content of both below. First line  line switches the mode. Second line is just for info and can be helpful if you have issues. Note they need to be run in Admin mode. You might need to adjust paths for your setup.

I run everything with VoiceAttack (running in Admin mode) which dose the registry switching and starts VirtualDesktop and DCS. It makes things a lot easier. Included a screenshot for those interested.

 

REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "None" /f
REG QUERY HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime
 

 

REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\steamxr_win64.json" /f
REG QUERY HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime
 

 

Edited May 8, 2023 by Hillman

[kerlcat]

@Hillman Thanks a lot. That 's helpful. And any idea how to put your command into .bat? Seems not working in .bat which I am using. 

[Hillman]

19 hours ago, kerlcat said:

And any idea how to put your command into .bat? Seems not working in .bat which I am using.

How is it not working? Any error-message....?
Paste the two lines below into a file called for example "SetRegOculus.cmd" :

REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "None" /f
REG QUERY HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime

Save the file and double-check the name. Right-click on the file and select "run as admin"

The other two lines is to set the registry back to OpenXR again.

[kerlcat]

@Hillman Thank you.  I meant how to put command in .BAT file which requires a bit different format.

Anyway you enlighted me to put below lines for your reference. In concept, one click to get us into DCS w/ OpenXR mode.

1st line shall run commands as admin, no need to right click to select that.

2nd line  ensure runtime to be set to none, SteamVR will anyway change that upon it's launched.

3rd line Just open DCS in VD. 

But the only issue now is UAC prompt which I don't know how to set as "Accept" as default instead of changing how UAC down to "Low". 

"Start DCS in VD.bat4"

%1 mshta vbscript:CreateObject("Shell.Application").ShellExecute("cmd.exe","/c ""%~s0"" ::","","runas",1)(window.close)&&exit
reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d None /f
"C:\Program Files\Virtual Desktop Streamer\VirtualDesktop.Streamer.exe" "C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\bin-MT\DCS.exe"

Edited May 10, 2023 by kerlcat

[WolfCat]

Hi!
I have a performance loss and stuttering increase since last week. Strange, because there was nothing in the patch notes to indicate.

Using openbeta (MT). Anyone else maybe had this?
(havent tried disabling steamVR via the BAT yet)

[WolfCat]

On 5/8/2023 at 7:51 PM, kerlcat said:

@Hillman Thanks a lot. That 's helpful. And any idea how to put your command into .bat? Seems not working in .bat which I am using. 

Hi fellow feline,

do you mean that if you create file in various ways, for example with notepad, to your desktop or elsewhere, and rename the file extension from .TXT to .BAT, you do not get an executable file?

[kerlcat]

Yes, it’s very similar way for everyone to do so. And .bat is executable file. as well .cmd which I am not familiar with. You could simply search how it works. Very simple to automate some steps … e.g. start DCS via VD.

Edited May 12, 2023 by kerlcat

[WolfCat]

Hi @Hillman,

your commands work for me, BUT for me, DCS without steamvr only starts in flat mode within the headset.

I tried both with and without the  --force_enable_VR --force_OpenXR params.

Any ideas pls? Using VD

Edited May 12, 2023 by WolfCat

[Hillman]

On 5/12/2023 at 3:47 PM, WolfCat said:

Hi @Hillman,

your commands work for me, BUT for me, DCS without steamvr only starts in flat mode within the headset.

I tried both with and without the  --force_enable_VR --force_OpenXR params.

Any ideas pls? Using VD

 

Hi, remember if you remove the OpenXR support with the regedit change you should NOT use —force_OpenXR, just the —force_enable_VR.

To explain a bit:
this line:
REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "None" /f
basically tells DCS (or any other game/software) that you computer don't support OpenXR. This forces DCS to use OculusVR. (which some finds a better option. This is only needed if you run the multi-threading DCS version. The ST it defaults to Oculus anyway if you have a headset like Pico 4. Why they changed this in the MT version I'm not sure. Probably because OpenXR seems to be the future standard.)

When I want to run MSFS (or any game which requires OpenXR) however I need to enable OpenXR again because MSFS don't support Oculus directly.
This line:
REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\steamxr_win64.json" /f

tells MSFS that my system supports OpenXR and it's handled by the SteamVR runtime.

So you must decide if you want to run DCS in OpenXR mode or Oculus mode and the set you parameters and registry accordingly. By using bat/cmd files and VoiceAttack (highly recommended if you are into VR) this is fairly effortless once you have everything in place. A nice thing with VoiceAttack is that it already runs with admin privileges so it runs the regedit-changes fine.

(Maybe I confused some with this line:
REG QUERY HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime
I left that in the script just to check visually that everything works as expected. You can ignore that line and if you want to use it you need a "pause" command on the next line to be able to see the results anyway)

Do you start DCS by specifying dcs.exe as a parameter to the VD streamer? If you do this you and you have disabled OpenXR as explained it should start in VR in VD. You should not even need the —force_enableVR parameter (but no harm to include it). Try this line in your cmd/bat file or shortcut:
"C:\Program Files\Virtual Desktop Streamer\VirtualDesktop.Streamer.exe" "C:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_enable_VR

 

Regarding BAT-files and CMD-files: There are some technical and historical differences, but for this case they are the same. They are both executable, scripting files. Use whatever you like.

 

Edited May 13, 2023 by Hillman

[Gryzor]

I cannot enter with PICO4 in "Oculus" mode. I changed REG to REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "None" /f 

Then access to DCS MT to "C:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_enable_VR"

I start VD... and run DCS MT, but when sim starts only shows 2D view (like thorught a MASK).

Any guide or help?

[WolfCat]

1 hour ago, Gryzor said:

I cannot enter with PICO4 in "Oculus" mode. I changed REG to REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "None" /f 

Then access to DCS MT to "C:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_enable_VR"

I start VD... and run DCS MT, but when sim starts only shows 2D view (like thorught a MASK).

Any guide or help?

If you change REG, yo do it via a BAT / CMD? If yes, do you run it as admin?

Edited May 14, 2023 by WolfCat
clarity

[WolfCat]

10 hours ago, Hillman said:

Hi, remember if you remove the OpenXR support with the regedit change you should NOT use —force_OpenXR, just the —force_enable_VR.

To explain a bit:
this line:
REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "None" /f
basically tells DCS (or any other game/software) that you computer don't support OpenXR. This forces DCS to use OculusVR. (which some finds a better option. This is only needed if you run the multi-threading DCS version. The ST it defaults to Oculus anyway if you have a headset like Pico 4. Why they changed this in the MT version I'm not sure. Probably because OpenXR seems to be the future standard.)

When I want to run MSFS (or any game which requires OpenXR) however I need to enable OpenXR again because MSFS don't support Oculus directly.
This line:
REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\steamxr_win64.json" /f

tells MSFS that my system supports OpenXR and it's handled by the SteamVR runtime.

So you must decide if you want to run DCS in OpenXR mode or Oculus mode and the set you parameters and registry accordingly. By using bat/cmd files and VoiceAttack (highly recommended if you are into VR) this is fairly effortless once you have everything in place. A nice thing with VoiceAttack is that it already runs with admin privileges so it runs the regedit-changes fine.

(Maybe I confused some with this line:
REG QUERY HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime
I left that in the script just to check visually that everything works as expected. You can ignore that line and if you want to use it you need a "pause" command on the next line to be able to see the results anyway)

Do you start DCS by specifying dcs.exe as a parameter to the VD streamer? If you do this you and you have disabled OpenXR as explained it should start in VR in VD. You should not even need the —force_enableVR parameter (but no harm to include it). Try this line in your cmd/bat file or shortcut:
"C:\Program Files\Virtual Desktop Streamer\VirtualDesktop.Streamer.exe" "C:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_enable_VR

 

Regarding BAT-files and CMD-files: There are some technical and historical differences, but for this case they are the same. They are both executable, scripting files. Use whatever you like.

 

 

Hi Hillman,

thank you, this successfully bypassed steamVR.

1) FPS is better maybe 15%, but the stuttering is now unbearable in 72Hz. It is better if i turn on ASW, and much better in 90Hz, but still not as good as it was before the bad stuttering and performance loss started last week (i did not change anything anywhere). I think Im going crazy.

2) I wonder what is the difference between
2.1) --force_enable_VR  vs  just enabling VR in the in-game menu
2.2) running DCS / other games in BAT in VD command line  vs  just running them after i launched VD

3) Now I am "CPU bound (main thread)" in free flight. I used to be "CPU bound (rendering thread)" with steamVR. In busy scenarios I am still GPU bound. But it should be the opposite, no? Should be CPU bound in busy scenes, GPU bound when not? Again, i think im going crazy.

4) So it is not possible to run openXR without steamVR?
...
PC config in signature.
Openbeta 2.8.4.39731.
I decreased texture size since last week's stuttering started to troubleshoot. Water and view distance medium, everything else is low or off. Anysotrophic filter 16x.
VD resolution im switching between Ultra and Godlike, ASW on. Since MSAA mask is not working in DCS settings.
These used to be OK, when tried maxing unit count in mission generator.
Before MT, i was able to have ground shadows flat, but with MT i have to turn them off.
Without VR i get beautiful 120+ FPS with high settings.
Otherwise, im a noob Warthunder refugee, and quite new to VR too. Havent really started playing DCS, just been experimenting with VR and settings, mostly free flight and some training missions.

Edited May 14, 2023 by WolfCat

[Hillman]

4 hours ago, Gryzor said:

I cannot enter with PICO4 in "Oculus" mode. I changed REG to REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Khronos\OpenXR\1 /v ActiveRuntime /d "None" /f 

Then access to DCS MT to "C:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_enable_VR"

I start VD... and run DCS MT, but when sim starts only shows 2D view (like thorught a MASK).

Any guide or help?

Did you start DCS with a short-cut this way:?

"C:\Program Files\Virtual Desktop Streamer\VirtualDesktop.Streamer.exe" "C:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe" --force_enable_VR

Or right-click in the VD tray-icon down far right and select "Launch game..." and navigate to your dcs.exe.

Edited May 14, 2023 by Hillman
clearify

[Hillman]

1 hour ago, WolfCat said:

Hi Hillman,

thank you, this successfully bypassed steamVR.

1) FPS is better maybe 15%, but the stuttering is now unbearable in 72Hz. It is better if i turn on ASW, and much better in 90Hz, but still not as good as it was before the bad stuttering and performance loss started last week (i did not change anything anywhere). I think Im going crazy.

2) I wonder what is the difference between
2.1) --force_enable_VR  vs  just enabling VR in the in-game menu
2.2) running DCS / other games in BAT in VD command line  vs  just running them after i launched VD

3) Now I am "CPU bound (main thread)" in free flight. I used to be "CPU bound (rendering thread)" with steamVR. In busy scenarios I am still GPU bound. But it should be the opposite, no? Should be CPU bound in busy scenes, GPU bound when not? Again, i think im going crazy.

4) So it is not possible to run openXR without steamVR?
...
PC config in signature.
Openbeta 2.8.4.39731.
I decreased texture size since last week's stuttering started to troubleshoot. Water and view distance medium, everything else is low or off. Anysotrophic filter 16x.
VD resolution im switching between Ultra and Godlike, ASW on. Since MSAA mask is not working in DCS settings.
These used to be OK, when tried maxing unit count in mission generator.
Before MT, i was able to have ground shadows flat, but with MT i have to turn them off.
Without VR i get beautiful 120+ FPS with high settings.
Otherwise, im a noob Warthunder refugee, and quite new to VR too. Havent really started playing DCS, just been experimenting with VR and settings, mostly free flight and some training missions.

 

VR is challenging for sure and it's obviously early days... I often just need to restart/reboot to get things working. Very hard to figure out why it's not working. A couple of points to look out for:

- before starting VD make sure Windows has done it's things on downloading/installing updates as this seriously slow down things.
- check in the VD menu (once you are in VR double-tap the LH controller button on the very left I think) that you have both 1200Mb shown on the top and a bit-rate of 150 under the streaming settings. I often find that the bit-rate is between 10-40 and I then have to restart the headset if so.

I don't think there is any difference between --force_enable_VR and ticking of in the menu to be honest. I just have it as part of the shortcut by default

It seem like just starting DCS within VD by double-click directly on the DCS icon will launch it in SteamVR mode. If you right-click on the tray-icon and select "launch game" it starts in Oculus mode (for MT you need to disable OpenXR in the Registry). Right-clicking in VR is cumbersome to this can more easily be done with the short-cut:
"C:\Program Files\Virtual Desktop Streamer\VirtualDesktop.Streamer.exe" "C:\DCS World OpenBeta\bin-mt\DCS.exe"
Again I have this attached to a voice-command in VoiceAttack to make it very easy.

CPU bound in main thread should imply that your GPU is now working smoother so the CPU is now the bottleneck (I would think :-))

RTX 3070 is probably a stretch for DCS/VD/Pico4  to be honest... I previously had a 3080 and struggled a lot. What is VD recommending for 3070?

[Lange_666]

6 hours ago, Hillman said:

If you right-click on the VD tray-icon and select "launch game"

This is something that never worked for me.
When selecting "launch game" it opens a Windows Explorer window showing what's on the desktop.
If i pick a game shortcut there, DCS or whatever, it never launches the game (nor anything else).
The only way i can launch a game when in VD is double clicking on the icon itself on the VD desktop.
What do i miss?

[Qcumber]

1 hour ago, Lange_666 said:

What do i miss?

Try running directly from the game "bin" folder and see if that works.