Varjo XR-3 Setup hints?

[GPatricks]

Just ordered an XR-3 (unlocked, comes with lifetime software subscription), wondering if any here are using one and how the setup went, how hand tracking works, and how high of a PPD can you run?

Edited August 23, 2024 by GPatricks

[Topboy]

I run the VR-3 which is essence is the same as the XR-3 just without the pass through cameras.

Depending on your graphics card of choice (mine is a 4090 Founders Edition), I can run 39PPD with most settings maxed (or at least the ones the matter).

You cannot run the higher PPD if you have a single graphics card with a monitor attached due to the 4 screen limitation that Nvidia have on thier graphics cards.

If you want to run the higher PPD to make use of the bionic screens in the HMD, you could buy a cheaper GFX card to run the external monitor, and use your main high-end GFX card to drive the XR-3.

As for Hand tracking, make sure you turn off your external monitor (If it is close to your HMD) when using hand tracking as the light bleed from the monitor can interfere with the tracking. Also make sure to use the OpenXR version of hand tracking instead of the Ultra Leap (Ultra LEap should be disabled in the special section of the settings and in the VR tab make sure that hand tracking is enabled. Also make sure that pointers in the settings in the VR tab are not selected in the dropdown box. You only want finger movement enabled.

[GPatricks]

Edit: Spent quite a bit of time reading/asking questions on the Varjo Discord. Contrary to what you stated above, I was told (by everyone) that the XR-3 counts as 3 monitors, which allows you to keep one external monitor running. Guess I won't know for certain until I plug it in! I'm REALLY hoping the 5090 removes the antiquated "4 monitor" limit...

Edited August 23, 2024 by GPatricks

[Topboy]

It depends

If you want to use Simple rendering AND your main monitor is using Display Port, you will be ok. But you will be limited to the following PPD on the headset and will not be able to use the bionic displays.

 

If however you want to use the bionic displays in the XR-3 to get the higher PPD detailed below in the screenshot, that is where you need to feed an external monitor with a seperate GPU like the internal GPU of your motherboard/cpu.

 

In essence, the XR-3 when enabled for the higher PPD uses 4 displays in the headset. 2 for the peripheral area displays AND 2 for the focus area displays (or bionic displays). SO 4 in total which is where Nvidia GPU limitations max out at driving 4 displays.

For AERO headsets, they do NOT have the bionic display technology and only have 2 displays to deal with. Hence why when using an external monitor with the AERO, you are in essence driving 3 displays, which falls under the Nvidia limitation of 4.

 

https://varjo.com/use-center/get-to-know-your-headset/getting-the-perfect-image-quality/#simple-rendering

Can I use multiple monitors with XR-4, XR-3 and VR-3? (varjo.com)

I will jump into Discord now and see what they are telling you as it may OR maynot be right or wrong.

Edited August 23, 2024 by Topboy

[Topboy]

Just been on the Varjo Discord and I cannot see any questions from you about the displays and GPU limitations. Could you link the conversation in here please so I can take a look.

 

Thanks

[GPatricks]

2 hours ago, Topboy said:

It depends

If you want to use Simple rendering AND your main monitor is using Display Port, you will be ok. But you will be limited to the following PPD on the headset and will not be able to use the bionic displays

If however you want to use the bionic displays in the XR-3 to get the higher PPD detailed below in the screenshot, that is where you need to feed an external monitor with a seperate GPU like the internal GPU of your motherboard/cpu.

In essence, the XR-3 when enabled for the higher PPD uses 4 displays in the headset. 2 for the peripheral area displays AND 2 for the focus area displays (or bionic displays). SO 4 in total which is where Nvidia GPU limitations max out at driving 4 displays.

 

For AERO headsets, they do NOT have the bionic display technology and only have 2 displays to deal with. Hence why when using an external monitor with the AERO, you are in essence driving 3 displays, which falls under the Nvidia limitation of 4.

https://varjo.com/use-center/get-to-know-your-headset/getting-the-perfect-image-quality/#simple-rendering

Can I use multiple monitors with XR-4, XR-3 and VR-3? (varjo.com)

I will jump into Discord now and see what they are telling you as it may OR maynot be right or wrong.

 

Thank you, one spot is the "vr-xr-discussion" channel. (Morphine US) - https://discord.com/channels/839478779256897546/853262176327041065/1275828186885914634

The other is the "xr-4" channel (Ella AU).. - https://discord.com/channels/839478779256897546/1178706354286899210/1275967382124367985

I respond to both as the latest post in both channels..

EDIT: Reading the links you provided, the way I read it, I only need a second video card if I want to run MORE than one monitor along with the XR-3, I see no mention of needing to do anything to run 1 monitor with it?

 

Edited August 23, 2024 by GPatricks

[Topboy]

40 minutes ago, GPatricks said:

Thank you, one spot is the "vr-xr-discussion" channel. (Morphine US) - https://discord.com/channels/839478779256897546/853262176327041065/1275828186885914634

The other is the "xr-4" channel (Ella AU).. - https://discord.com/channels/839478779256897546/1178706354286899210/1275967382124367985

I respond to both as the latest post in both channels..

 

 

 

 

I cannot see a "vr-xr-discussion" Thread for some reason on the Varjo Community Discord. I have all the channels selected in Discord so not sure why I cannot see it.

 

I will post on the other XR-4 Thread instead.

[Topboy]

If you want to hook up on Discord for a voice chat about it (along with a number of tweaks) ping me so we can talk.

[GPatricks]

On 8/23/2024 at 6:12 PM, Topboy said:

If you want to hook up on Discord for a voice chat about it (along with a number of tweaks) ping me so we can talk.

You get sorted out?

 

Also wanter to post what the solution was for me, and now I can run triples with the XR-3 plugged in.. For anyone here that wants/needs to run dual or triples with the VR/XR-3 plugged in, I was led to a great, easy (and relatively cheap) solution.  For my triples I leave the center (main) DP monitor plugged in to the 4090. For the outside two DP monitors I just received a StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Dual DisplayPort 4K60 DisplayLink External Graphics Adapter. Plugged the outer 2 monitors in, instant success and both in the full native resolution of 2560x1440 @ 144hz. Looks like it will work great..

Edited August 31, 2024 by GPatricks

[GPatricks]

On 8/21/2024 at 2:27 AM, Topboy said:

As for Hand tracking, make sure you turn off your external monitor (If it is close to your HMD) when using hand tracking as the light bleed from the monitor can interfere with the tracking. Also make sure to use the OpenXR version of hand tracking instead of the Ultra Leap (Ultra LEap should be disabled in the special section of the settings and in the VR tab make sure that hand tracking is enabled. Also make sure that pointers in the settings in the VR tab are not selected in the dropdown box. You only want finger movement enabled.

Hiya Topboy, i've been messing with Hand Tracking and if I disable the LeapMotion support on the "Special" page and enable Hand Controllers on the "VR" page I get no hands.. What is "OpenXR version of hand tracking"? Either way I don't believe just using finger movements works well enough so I use a pointer and mouse click (HOTAS buttons)