Htc vive review in Spanish (full analysis)

Virtual reality officially arrived a few weeks ago and is willing to stay, or at least try. Gone are the development prototypes, Google cardboard and a long etcetera. Two have been the companies that have most ambition to create their virtual reality glasses. On the one hand, HTC (in collaboration with Valve) with its HTC Vive glasses and on the other hand Oculus with its Oculus Rift glasses.

On this occasion and after having tried them for a few weeks, we will focus on analyzing the HTC Vive, which in our opinion today provides a greater simulated experience, although that does not mean that they are perfect. Let's see it in more detail.

HTC Vive technical features

HTC Vive Unboxing

HTC's main differentiating reason from its competitors is having decided to sell the virtual experience beyond just glasses to see other worlds. We will not only be able to see, but also make use of our hands and feet. For this, in addition to the glasses, the contents of the box include:

Two wireless remote controls with vibration Two base stations In-ear headphones 3.5mm jack Connection box Multiple connection cables

Minimum requirements

Not only with having the HTC Vive we can enjoy them, but it will also be necessary to have a computer that meets the minimum requirements for virtual reality.

Graphics Card: NVIDIA geforce GTX 970, AMD Radeon R9 290, equivalent or higher CPU: Intel i5-4590, AMD FX 8350, equivalent or higher. RAM: 4 GB or more Video output : HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 or higher versions. USB port: A USB 2.0 or higher versions. Operating system: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10

However, it has been proven that if you have a computer with slightly lower characteristics, you can enjoy HTC Vive. There are still no applications and games that demand a lot but it is clear that in a short period of time it will be essential to possess or exceed the recommended minimum.

Screens

The glasses are the fundamental pillar of this device, which mounts two OLED screens with individual resolution of 1080 x 1200 pixels, making a total of 2160 x 1200 pixels. In turn, these screens have a refresh rate of 90 Hz. The refresh rate is usually a very important characteristic for games to look smooth, but in the case of virtual reality it becomes even more important due to the need for the eyes to perceive a greater fluidity and sense of reality and not suffer. the famous judder effect in which the image jumps. The screens support an adequate refresh rate, but fluidity will not always depend on it, but also the correct optimization of the games and the processing capacity of the equipment that is owned.

As for the resolution of the screens, although it seems in theory that the image quality can be as good as those we see on the monitors, once the glasses are on we see that it is not such a thing. It will never be the same to see a screen with the same pixels at 1m as at 5 centimeters. We can say without a doubt that this resolution for the first generation of glasses and current technology is more than enough to enjoy what we see, but it will be necessary to increase the number of pixels in the future for the experience to be fully satisfactory. As a general rule, when playing with the glasses we will almost never miss more resolution and we will get fully into what we are doing. The biggest problem usually occurs when wanting to distinguish things at distant distances, we will see more a jumble of pixels than anything else. It is something that today is forgiven and does not prevent you from enjoying the games.

But this is not the only deficiency visually that we can find. Another problem with having such a close screen is that of visualizing the grid between the pixels, commonly called the screen door effect. It is a feature to improve on future screens, but today it is noticeable if you look closely. As it happens with the pixels, once they get involved, it is something that goes into the background. There are those who can notice it more or less. Personally, I usually enjoy the experiences and not focus on those defects.

At the front of the glasses we find a small camera with which HTC has wanted to provide users with an easy way to see their real environment without having to remove the glasses. For this, it offers the possibility both of seeing a mini image of what the camera shows next to one of the controls that we have in our hand, and the possibility (when we press the command button twice) of seeing our entire field of vision our environment with a curious green effect in which the silhouette of the objects is distinguished and that usually recalls what Neo saw sometimes in Matrix.

Design

The HTC Vive have two side straps and an upper one, all of them with velcro as a fastening method. In principle it is an effective and easy method to use by everyone. But as I said, only at the beginning, in short sessions. The 550 grams of the glasses are not usually noticed when putting them on, it is after prolonged use when it begins to really feel, especially on the upper part of the cheeks, which is where the weight mainly falls. However, it is curious how future PS4 glasses, despite having a slightly higher weight, are more comfortable to wear. That's when the HTC Vive strap system comes into evidence. A headband-type clamping system would have been better like Playstation VR. Spending time to properly hold the glasses, will always result in greater comfort when wearing them.

One of the burdens on both these glasses and the Oculus will continue to be the cables attached to the top of the glasses that are responsible for sending the video signal and other data to the PC. In this case there are three (four, if we count the small cable to connect headphones), and although they are linked together, they will always be an annoying burden. Either because sometimes they sit a little tight on the head or because they get entangled between the legs while we are moving. Like the resolution of displays, cable is a drawback that can only be resolved as technology advances.

Once you put on the glasses and assumed the cables, we can modify two more values. The first will be the distance between our eyes and the screens. It should be appreciated that even with the screens as close as possible to our eyes it will still be possible to wear prescription glasses.

The other value that can be modified is the interpupillary distance through a small wheel that is on the side of the glasses. It is possible to adjust that value by eye, never better said, but the correct thing is to know that distance in millimeters through an ophthalmologist or an optician.

Last but not least when we talk about virtual reality glasses is the FOV or field of view. HTCs have a FOV of 110 degrees, and is usually defined by the size of the lenses. Although it is a wide field of view and as with the pixels or the grid effect, it is something that we will miss when immersed with the glasses. When looking at the sides we will be able to glimpse some small black bands and with regard to the top and bottom we will hardly notice a loss of image.

The lenses used in this case to increase the images on the screens are the so-called Fresnel lenses, which make them just as effective as conventional lenses, but reducing their weight. However, they have the defect of causing, with certain colors such as white, an unwanted effect known as glare or glare from light that can sometimes disturb but does not prevent playing normally.

Base stations

One of the advances of HTC and Valve is the use of two cubic- shaped positioning stations that, using Lighhouse laser technology, allow positioning and tracking of both the glasses and the controls. For this, it is not enough that the sensors send dozens of lasers per second, but the glasses have 32 sensors and the controls with 24.

The important thing to correctly configure these stations, is to put them in opposite places in the room looking towards a common area and always trying to place them at a somewhat higher point than the person who is going to use it. HTC recommends placing it over 2 meters, although we have tried to put them at different heights and their operation has continued to be impeccable. It is also convenient to put them in stable places, avoid reflective objects such as mirrors or windows and not place them more than 5 meters diagonally apart. In the latter case, use should be made of a connection cable that is included.

Although the stations communicate with the glasses via bluetooth, each station must be powered separately, making it mandatory to have a plug near each one.

Management software

Since it was learned that Valve was also involved in the development of the HTC Vive, it had been assumed that it would somehow take care of the software section. And so it has been. Therefore, it is essential to have installed the famous digital distribution platform Steam.

Apart from Steam, we must download an installer that will install various drivers and the SteamVR application from the HTC Vive home page. This application will be essential both to start the glasses and for their subsequent configuration and adjustment. The first time we are going to use the device, we must choose whether to play sitting or use the room scale. For the first option it is not necessary to configure much, instead for the scale of the room it will be necessary to configure both the ground level and delimit the play area through which we will move through the use of one of the controllers.

This last step is very important, since once the play area is properly delimited (it is necessary to have a minimum of 1.5m x 2m). Every time you get close to the edge of that area the Chaperone will appear. A system which will make a mesh or virtual wall appear to warn you that you will soon leave that safe area. It is very useful to avoid hitting the furniture and avoid accidents.

Most of the official games and applications that we will have available for the HTC Vive will be found on Steam. Obviously, with the glasses on, the use of the mouse and keyboard is not a practical solution. For this reason, when we wear them, we can use the System button on the remote to open before us a giant and floating screen with Steam in Big Picture mode. We will use a laser pointer to launch or close games and applications.

Also on that giant screen we can have a view of our desktop, but neither the resolution nor the use of the controls are very suitable for this interface and we will use it little.

Wireless controls

Despite the strange shape of the controls, both the positioning tracking and its ergonomics and light weight, will make using them a delight. Each control has a rear trigger, two side buttons, a haptic section, a button at the bottom to exit the system, a button at the top with different utilities depending on the game and a wrist strap. In addition, they incorporate vibration and a micro USB port to charge them.

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In general, the buttons work efficiently, the triggers are one of the most used parts and they respond precisely. Something similar happens with the haptic section that, although it responds well when used in most steam games, in other games its operation is not so precise. But it seems to be more the fault of software than hardware. Vibration, on the other hand, is a well-known function in consoles, but at what times it takes on great importance, such as when holding a bow and tightening the string. It is difficult to describe and incredible to feel.

The aspect that most attracts attention to anyone who tries the glasses for the first time, is looking at their hands and seeing how the controls respond in virtual reality exactly to the movement we are doing. The naturalness when simulating a pistol, hands or anything they put on us, will get more than a smile and is one of the main reasons that perhaps attracts potential buyers who doubt between these or the Oculus.

Absolute positioning

After entering the virtual world with glasses and using the controls to interact with your surroundings, the last icing on the cake arrives. The possibility of being able to physically move around your gaming space. Like the movements with the controls that we mentioned above, the positioning works in an incredible way and simulates each movement that you give when moving, bending over or lying down. Without a doubt, this is one of the points that most immersion contributes to the virtual reality experience and has been resolved very effectively.

Available games

There can be a lot of technology in the glasses and their absolute positioning that, if the games fail, there is nothing. This section today, is a yes, but no. There are a lot of simple apps, demos, and games. But if we talk about deep draft games, they are still scarce. It is true that only weeks ago this product was put on sale and it is early to judge it taking into account the little journey it still takes. This suggests that there is time for new, more robust and extensive ideas and games to develop and materialize.

One measure HTC has been including so far when buying the glasses is giving away 2 games and an app created by Google for 3D drawing: Job Simulator, Fantastic Contraption and Till Brush.

In Job Simulator we will be able to perform a series of jobs as clerk or supermarket cashier while we are commissioned. The room space to move is used very well in this game and the controls act as hands to pick up and move objects, interact with cabinets, refrigerators, etc. In Fantastic Contraption we must first follow some tutorials and then our mind stops by creating and joining of pieces, create pots that help us overcome phases and challenges. Tilt Brush is the Google application for drawing in virtual space and using the possibilities of all three dimensions. It includes a multitude of options, tools and ways to share creations.

There are other games that draw attention, like Budget Cuts, about a company protected by robots in which hiding and throwing knives will be the priorities. For now only one demo is available; The Lab, where you can try various mini-games such as archery while defending a castle, a giant slingshot or visiting the solar system, among others; or The Brookhaven Experiment, alone in an open field while you receive hordes of zombies and having as your only defense a pistol and a flashlight.

Final words and conclusion about HTC Vive

Virtual reality has arrived, that is clear and the experience with HTC Vive is assured. There is nothing similar today from this feeling of immersion.

Against him there are several factors. The resolution and the screen door are upgradeable and for now you have to settle for what there is, the lack of games today is also evident, although there are many things to try, but without a doubt what will back off the Most is the price.

Surely you have been wanting to try them and do not know if your PC will be compatible. We have developed a virtual reality configuration so that you can see what the components and prices are to meet the minimum requirements that are currently required. If you have doubts you can ask us.

In Spain, its retail price is € 899 plus express delivery cats that are around € 80. Right now the only option to order them is through the official website of HTC Vive and the estimated delivery time is around three days. If you like games and dive into them, it is your device, but you will also have to dip your hand quite a bit in your pocket.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ GREAT IMMERSION IN THE GAMES.	- VERY HIGH PRICE.
+ ABSOLUTE POSITIONING.	- THE GLASSES WEIGHT ENOUGH.
+ INCLUSION OF WIRELESS CONTROLS.	- TOO MANY CABLES.
+ BRING THREE GAMES GIFT.	- FOR NOW LITTLE CATALOG OF GAMES.
+ IT IS A REVOLUTION IN THE WORLD OF VIDEO GAMES.