HTC introduces two new VR glasses: the VIVE Pro 2 for gamers and the standalone VIVE Focus 3 for business users. Both headsets get the same 5k resolution and a viewing angle of 120 degrees. The Vive Pro 2 has a refresh rate of 120Hz.
HTC speaks of a single screen with a 5k resolution, or 2.5k per eye. It is a screen with RGB sub-pixels. To increase that viewing angle from 110 degrees to 120 degrees, HTC has a new one dual-stacked lens design is used. The larger field of view, together with the increased resolution and refresh rate of 120Hz, should ensure minimal, according to HTC motion blur and a reduction in the screen-door effect.
In front of the Pro 2 HTC worked with Nvidia and AMD to implement Display Stream Compression. According to HTC, this technique developed by VESA ensures that images of higher quality can be sent with less bandwidth. According to the company, it is the first time that a VR headset uses DSC. This technique works from DisplayPort version 1.2.
The VIVE Pro 2 has a slider to adjust the pupil distance, an adjustable headband, supports 3D spatial sound and works with all previous VIVE SteamVR accessories, such as the old trackers. In addition, a new VIVE Facial Tracker will be introduced.
The VIVE Pro 2 headset costs 739 euros separately during the pre-order period. After that, that is 799 euros. The headset will be shipped from June. A full package including Base Station 2.0 and VIVE Controllers will be released in August. That set costs 1399 euros.
HTC VIVE Focus 3
Although the business VIVE Focus 3 gets the same 5k resolution and 120-degree viewing angle, it doesn’t seem to be the same panel. With the Focus 3, the refresh rate is limited to 90Hz. Furthermore, this headset has a newly designed strap and a curved battery pack that can be replaced. With fast charging, this package can also be half charged in half an hour. The headset uses LEDs to indicate how long the battery will last.
The Focus 3 also uses a magnesium frame, which, according to HTC, is lighter and stronger than a traditional plastic frame. This headset also has a button to adjust the pupil distance and the pillows can be quickly removed for cleaning, for example. According to HTC, that would be useful if several users want to use the headset one day.
The headset has further open-backspeakers with two drivers, inside-out tracking and redesigned controllers. According to HTC, these are light controllers that last fifteen hours on a battery charge. Support for hand tracking should also be added later.
This Focus 3 is a standalone headset and therefore does not need a PC for control. That’s why the headset gets a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 soc, which Facebook also uses in the Oculus Quest 2. This soc is cooled with a copper heat pipe and fan. The VIVE Focus 3 will be available from June 24 for 1,429 euros.