Pico 4 ultra in dcs

[TED]

Has anyone seen, heard or even got their hands on this in dcs yet? I’m very curious to see how it will perform. I currently own a pico 4 and love it for dcs. It replaced my 8kx and was better in every way. However it would be great to see some hand tracking options and decent pass through that this seems to offer. I’m guessing it’s just hitting the market now so probably not many real users have it yet but I expect they soon will start trickling in. 

[VirusAM]

what is the difference with the normal Pico 4?

[mrsylvestre]

1 hour ago, VirusAM said:

what is the difference with the normal Pico 4?

Better processor, slightly better wifi, multiple cameras for improved mixed reality, slightly different controllers. Resolution is the same, FOV is the same, ergonomics are the same (good).

The most notable difference for DCS use should be the AV1 encoding thanks to the enhanced processor that will slightly improve image quality (reduce compression artefacts). All in all, it will be on par or even slightly better than Quest 3 for PCVR (Pico wins on ergonomics & binocular overlap). For standalone games that run on the headset, the Quest 3 will continue to benefit from a richer application library.

As for Pico 4, the cost of VD (20€) and a cheap dedicated router should be factored in for best performance.

Edited October 4, 2024 by mrsylvestre
Typos

[RealDCSpilot]

Don't forget that the CPU/GPU is up to 2.5x faster than in the Pico 4. Since VD and Pico Connect do VR compositing on the HMD, this process also benefits from the performance that the Snapdragon XR2 Gen2 provides. All in all the Pico 4 Ultra is a great upgrade.

(However, i'm back to wired PCVR with the PSVR2)

[TED]

Sounds quite interesting. I’m looking forward to seeing some real user reviews. Might be worth upgrading my p4. 

[TED]

I do think it may be a really good option for dcs. I just wonder if they haven't priced the pico a bit too high, asbit now comes in at a higher price than the q3. I'm not sure yet if many will be tempted by that. It's a shame because I actually think the pico brand are making a really nice product. 

[RealDCSpilot]

A lot of the hardware is more advanced and newer than in the Q3. Wifi7, the iToF 3D sensor, bigger amount of LPDDR5 RAM, Bluetooth 5.3, 32 MP cameras, Quick Charge 4.0... It's the overall much better device.

[gdx65]

Hi, Just got a Pico 4 Ultra and cannot find the way to start DCS in VR. I have installed Virtual Desktop Streamer in both the Pico and the PC. All is working, when I connect the PIco to the PC via the virtual Desktop Streamer I get into the virtual room and see my PC monitor. DCS starts but in the PC monitor not in the headset?!? I can start Steam VR and play in IL2 as normal. I have a Quest 3 and no issues with that VR, I am quite experienced on with the Quest. Thanks

Edited Friday at 03:39 PM by gdx65

[Koziolek]

16 hours ago, gdx65 said:

Hi, Just got a Pico 4 Ultra and cannot find the way to start DCS in VR. I have installed Virtual Desktop Streamer in both the Pico and the PC. All is working, when I connect the PIco to the PC via the virtual Desktop Streamer I get into the virtual room and see my PC monitor. DCS starts but in the PC monitor not in the headset?!? I can start Steam VR and play in IL2 as normal. I have a Quest 3 and no issues with that VR, I am quite experienced on with the Quest. Thanks

Just to make sure, in the launcher you've chosen a VR version to start and not the desktop one?

[mrsylvestre]

Please verify that the checkbox "Enable virtual reality headset" is ticked in the VR tab of DCS options. Also in the options tab of the virtual desktop streamer app on the PC, select VDXR as OpenXR runtime. You don't need anything else installed and you don't need SteamVR to be running while playing DCS.

[gdx65]

12 hours ago, mrsylvestre said:

Please verify that the checkbox "Enable virtual reality headset" is ticked in the VR tab of DCS options. Also in the options tab of the virtual desktop streamer app on the PC, select VDXR as OpenXR runtime. You don't need anything else installed and you don't need SteamVR to be running while playing DCS.

Yes I am familiar the VR in DCS I already use a Quest 3 working very good. Anyway I got help from VD support on Discord "Set your Preferred OpenXR runtime to VDXR in the Streamer window" attaching a picture for reference for others if needed. Also the Audio Streaming needs to be on VR headset only and in DCS in Audio one needs to select Virtual Desktop no Pico headset otherwise there is no sound. Nice VR this PIco 4 Ultra. As VD works only with wifi I need to test a powered USB-CAT6 adapter directly connected to the router. Both Pico and  VD they say they do not support this solution  but it works according to several that use it. Same with Quest 3.

Edited Saturday at 09:19 PM by gdx65

[sleighzy]

On 7/19/2025 at 3:39 AM, gdx65 said:

Hi, Just got a Pico 4 Ultra and cannot find the way to start DCS in VR. I have installed Virtual Desktop Streamer in both the Pico and the PC. All is working, when I connect the PIco to the PC via the virtual Desktop Streamer I get into the virtual room and see my PC monitor. DCS starts but in the PC monitor not in the headset?!? I can start Steam VR and play in IL2 as normal. I have a Quest 3 and no issues with that VR, I am quite experienced on with the Quest. Thanks

Replicate the issue and then attach your DCS log file so we can see if there are any issues with it starting up the OpenXR runtime. Attach your Virtual Desktop log as well. 

Edited yesterday at 04:08 AM by sleighzy

[gdx65]

2 hours ago, sleighzy said:

Replicate the issue and then attach your DCS log file so we can see if there are any issues with it starting up the OpenXR runtime. Attach your Virtual Desktop log as well. 

See my reply to mrsylvestre above. Now all is ok…