Experience living with dual machines and separate spaces.
Experience living with dual machines and separate spaces.
I'm frustrated with searching for incorrect information online from people who didn't understand the instructions. Let's keep it clear: With two powerful computers and separate rooms, can I move a Vive headset between them without changing cables or using multiple base stations? I'm not interested in complex setups or cooperative play across rooms. Just need to know if the headset recognizes different environments and can switch smoothly. My goal is to relocate my setup easily later on. How does the Vive handle this kind of transition? Is it built for flexible movement, or will switching between systems cause issues? I'm finding it hard to find reliable guidance these days.
I can't verify this because I only own one Vive, yet I’m not sure it wouldn’t function. Since the device connects to the computer it’s running, switching to a different machine should work fine. Of course, you’ll need to try it yourself, as most forum members likely don’t have the extra gear required for testing.
I’d consider it, but I’m missing the other two base stations. It should cost around $200, and I’m not sure about purchasing them if it causes trouble. The ones I have are already mounted with cables in raceways. I could remove them and move them—though I’ll likely just run new conduit anyway—but that wouldn’t help answer my question. It would make VR work in this room now, but the answers wouldn’t come through. I struggle to believe it can shift between base stations or computers unless someone has actually tried it.
Are you residing in a metropolitan area with a prominent electronics retailer such as Best Buy? If yes, verify if they stock the base stations. If available, purchase them, test them, and follow these steps: 1. Exchange them if they fail to function 2. Retain them if they work 3. Exchange them again if they still perform well, or opt to buy elsewhere at a more favorable price. Alternatively, consider purchasing from Amazon, where their return policy is exceptionally accommodating (and they may even cover return shipping costs).
EDIT: I discovered a Reddit discussion that could be helpful: Considering how the Vive Lighthouses operate—passive and coordinating only with nearby units—I’m certain there are no restrictions. TL;DR, the Lighthouses emit IR signals, which the Vive heatset uses for orientation. The devices don’t interact in any way. Thus, you won’t need synchronization or relocation. This gives me strong confidence it will work.
Yeah, I'm familiar with the technology. That is my interpretation, as well; but it depends on what the headset does with that information. It's possible for a device that doesn't "sync" as we consider things today, to affect the same result in a few different ways. Eh... I don't know. There's a Best Buy nearby, but they only carry Oculus. I might be able to order them, but I don't feel cool test driving them like that. If a product doesn't meet my requirements I'll return it; but I'd be walking right into this suspecting that it might not work. Not going to return something like that. I can get them used to save a few bucks if I don't have an answer after a while. If they don't work, I can resell and not be out all that much.
It should work perfectly. I only own one Vive and a limited set of sensors, but I rotate them between 2 or 3 setups based on my projects. The installation will provide room data, so as long as each PC stays in the same area, you won’t need to redo anything. Just plug it in and start.
The headset is designed to follow the IR emitters inside the Lighthouse. There’s no additional syncing required beyond that. The Lighthouses emit a timecode flash, and any compatible devices that detect this flash will begin monitoring the IR laser grid. I’m now 99.9% sure it will function as intended. Purchase from Amazon or Best Buy, test it out.
Only if your goal is to get the product back regardless of circumstances (For example, I plan to camp this weekend and purchase a tent, then bring it back after use—Or; I buy something just to test it before buying elsewhere for a better price)—these actions are incorrect. Both scenarios are unacceptable to me. I completely agree that buying an item with the clear purpose of trying it out and then returning it after review is also improper. The original poster, @DOSjockey, should purchase from the intended retailer. I’d just advise him to verify that the store offers a solid return policy, even if the odds are extremely low—like 0.01%. Amazon, for instance, provides competitive pricing and a reliable return process in case things don’t go as planned. Only the option of returning would fall into the category of return fraud, which is the least acceptable choice.