Need some help with Pico 4 and MT.

[wwrig197]

I recently obtained a Pico 4 headset to replace my Quest 2. I have downloaded and installed Virtual Desktop for Pico 4 and can run DCS Open Beta ST just fine when I run it through SteamVR. However, when I try to run MT, DCS opens to the main menu with no problem. When I try to load an instant action or any other type of mission I get the load splash screen and then 10 to 15 seconds late I get the SteamVR waiting on DCS window and when I look at my desktop I have the DCS crash window. All of the dump files were empty. I put the mt.lua in the config folder in the save game folder. I have even tried brand new DCS installation and no joy. I have a sneaky suspicion that it is something simple that I am missing but whatever it is eludes me. Any help, guidance and pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Here are my specs:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800x (not overclocked), 64 GB RAM, Nvidia 4080, Pico 4 headset ( with latest updates), DCS, and Windows are on seperate dedicated M.2 drives, latest versions of Virtual Desktop and Virtual Desktop streamer app. All drivers are up to date.

I had no problems with my Quest 2.

[Dunska]

Make sure your "Current OpenXR Runtime" in Steam VR is set to "SteamVR".

My workflow with Pico 4 is to start Virtual Desktop Streamer, start other required programs (like Sim AppPro and SimShaker).  I then put on the Pico 4 and run Virtual Desktop to connect and view the desktop.  Then I run VoiceAttack (so it picks up the Pico 4 microphone).  Lastly, I run the bin-mt DCS.exe from a shortcut with no other arguments/options.  I also have the "User VR Headset" option in DCS enabled.

Not sure what you do with mt.lua - haven't had to do any of that and I don't have an mt.lua in Saved Games / Config.  Might be worth saving your control settings and doing a full slow repair (with clear extra files) and also remove saved games DCS folder, then add your controller configs back in.

Another tip with VD and Pico 4 is to set the SteamVR resolution to 100% in SteamVR and only modify it via VD streamer (e.g. Ultra or Godlike).  I'm also using the 1.x current version of SteamVR, not the 2.x beta.

null

[Qcumber]

6 hours ago, wwrig197 said:

I recently obtained a Pico 4 headset to replace my Quest 2. I have downloaded and installed Virtual Desktop for Pico 4 and can run DCS Open Beta ST just fine when I run it through SteamVR. However, when I try to run MT, DCS opens to the main menu with no problem. When I try to load an instant action or any other type of mission I get the load splash screen and then 10 to 15 seconds late I get the SteamVR waiting on DCS window and when I look at my desktop I have the DCS crash window. All of the dump files were empty. I put the mt.lua in the config folder in the save game folder. I have even tried brand new DCS installation and no joy. I have a sneaky suspicion that it is something simple that I am missing but whatever it is eludes me. Any help, guidance and pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Here are my specs:

AMD Ryzen 7 5800x (not overclocked), 64 GB RAM, Nvidia 4080, Pico 4 headset ( with latest updates), DCS, and Windows are on seperate dedicated M.2 drives, latest versions of Virtual Desktop and Virtual Desktop streamer app. All drivers are up to date.

I had no problems with my Quest 2.

Do you have xrnecksafer running? If so then Pico 4 does not get on with VD and steam VR. Try disabling it either through the app or steam vr layers in the settings tab. Another option is to run VD through oculus runtime instead (you don't need Oculus installed for this). This switcher helps you easily choose the runtime.  

https://github.com/WaGi-Coding/OpenXR-Runtime-Switcher

Also keep an eye on the VDXR app which is in early beta at the moment. This removes the need for steam VR or oculus altogether. It looks very good but is awaiting an update to be before it can become mainstream. 

https://github.com/mbucchia/VirtualDesktop-OpenXR/wiki

 

 

[KoN]

Can i ask why are you putting the  MT.lua in the config folder in the save game folder ... ? ?

Have you tried starting with DCS.exe normal not using MT .

There is a bug with MT from last patch . Stuttering looking left and right also FPS drop . 

Few months back i was using MT and the it was night and day difference great results .

But as of today its broken for me . I now gone back to normal DCS.exe using OpenXR with good results . 

Please run normal DCS . 

[wwrig197]

Thank you guys for the advice. It turns out that it was the XRnecksafer was the culprit. I uninstalled it and I can now enter the multithread version of DCS. Now I have to address the fact that I spawn into VR way above the menu and outside of the aircraft. This issue should be easy enough to fix. It is good to know that the awful stuttering is a DCS issue and not my system.

The mt.lua is from something posted by BIGNEWY and turns out to not be relevant to this discussion.

[Dunska]

1 hour ago, wwrig197 said:

Now I have to address the fact that I spawn into VR way above the menu and outside of the aircraft.

Yeah, that's a thing.  I just press a HOTAS button mapped to "reset view" to set things back to normal.

[KoN]

Also setup in VR spyglass and zoom keys on hotas so you can zoom in With in VR. 

[Pnguin9999]

I have had good results with the Pico 4 by doing away with Steam VR, and open XR. My workflow is this; Virtual Desktop (VD) streamer starts with Windows, start Pico 4, start VD from Pico 4 library, now I can see my screen in Pico. Start Joystick Gremlin, The Way, Voice attack and SRS. On Windows toolbar click the up arrow to show hidden icons, right click the VD icon, click start game, browse to the DCS open beta bin MT folder, open it and click on the .exe. I gained 10-15 fps, eliminated the stuttering caused by Steam VR and go into the hanger right in front of the menu. Steam VR and open XR are not needed this way and you free up a lot of resources, both CPU and GPU. Also a good addition for MT is to run Process Lasso. It allows you top set processor core affinity and priority for DCS or any other program. I run DCS as high priority, in performance mode and assign only physical cores to it. For a full explanation watch Panjo's YouTube video. I get a smooth DCS experience at 30-50 fps (depending on scenery) with most settings on high or ultra and a mid range system. That's with the Pico 4 set to Ultra graphics. Also wire your Pico directly to your router with Cat8 cable to an Ethernet to USB adapter with charging capability. You can plug a wall wart into the adapter and run the USB cable from the adapter into the Pico without running any connection apps. Just choose Ethernet connection in Pico settings. Lowers latency and you can play for hours.

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by Pnguin9999
added info