The Oculus Quest 2 is more complex than it seems.
The Oculus Quest 2 is more complex than it seems.
Hi everyone! I purchased the Oculus Quest 2 today to jump into the game right away. After watching all those great YouTube tutorials and seeing Oculus' clever marketing, I was eager to try it on launch day. So I did—I switched from my nice, configurable Rift 2 with over $300 worth of games, but when I tried it out it felt really awkward... and I ended up having to buy the games again. Now you might think using a link or virtual desktop would work, but honestly, co-op titles like Beat Saber are nearly impossible without buying the game on Oculus again. And to be honest, both the link and virtual desktop options aren’t very appealing. I did mention hand tracking is awesome, though—it’s still in its early development phase. My final thought? Don’t buy this new Quest, and consider getting the older Rift 2 if you have a decent computer.
You missed the Oculus link and Virtual desktop features. The beat saber enhancements at 90 hz with sideload eliminate the need for a desktop version. I’d just play it natively on the Quest and other games, using the link to enjoy eye-catching visuals. Most users who tried the link didn’t use the Oculus Debug tool, which offers a substantial clarity boost. It seems a future update might automatically adjust settings based on hardware, but currently you’ll need to set values manually to fully appreciate the screen improvements.
I’m going to jump into this subject since I’m thinking about purchasing two Oculus headsets. Here’s my setup: both my son’s and my own machines are running older hardware. His system uses an Asus M5A97 with FX8350 and RX570 GPU, while my PC has an MSI Z77A-G45, 3770K, and a GTX 1070. Neither has USB-C ports; they only have USB-A 3.0 connectors (mine on the case, his on the rear panel). When we buy VR headsets, we prefer plugging them into our PCs to power them up and enjoy VR games. I also like having the Quest 2 as a portable option for playing basic VR games anywhere.
Regarding Oculus LINK, you’re wondering how a signal from a discrete GPU travels through the motherboard to a USB header. It’s because the headset connects via a USB-C cable to your PC, and the motherboard interprets that signal as a data stream. Using an adapter to switch from USB-A 3.0 to USB-C should work if you have a compatible adapter. Alternatively, if you opt for two Rift S headsets that use DisplayPort, you could skip the adapter and just connect them directly. Just make sure your PC supports the connection type you choose.
The Oculus link relies on your GPU to handle rendering and gameplay before sending the output to the headset. Only the video data and control signals travel down the USB cable as an encoded stream. It looks impressive, and you can connect any A to C USB 3 cable. I’m using the Anker Powerlink II with a Quest, and it performs excellently. My son does the same with the Quest 2, and it functions well for him. I’d avoid the Rift-S version. The Quest 2 maintains the Rift’s 90Hz refresh rate while providing higher resolution, physical IPD tweaking, and a dedicated standalone setup—ideal for games like Beat Saber that need lighter VR setups.
I was also concerned about the “graphics card over random USB port” idea, but I received my quest a few days back and spent yesterday updating/confirming Fallout 4 VR. It’s definitely working via my USB C to A connection. I can’t believe how it feels. I ordered a C to C cable because I needed a long one, and at that length an active connection is essential, not just passive. To be clear, I own an RTX 2060 and have repeatedly faced issues where the USB C port (which also supports Mini DisplayPort) isn’t directly connected to my graphics card. That meant no G Sync with my Acer Predator and no HDMI VR until now. But it’s functioning perfectly and impressively. Sorry for the long explanation, but I removed the headset after my first solid gaming session and… wow. Edit: you can also purchase a USB C to A cable. I suppose adapters might also work though? (Just don’t rely on me) Edited October 20, 2020 by Howie Doodat Clarification
USB protocol supports various transfer methods via its cable. I researched USB 2.0 and 3.0 standards at my IT university. There are numerous transfer types including Audio, Video, Mass Storage, Communication/Networking, Printer, HID, Media Transfer Protocol, Smart Card, Still Image Capture, Monitor Device... The key aspect is Bulk Transfers, allowing you to customize software and hardware communication.
It seems like the explanation was presented as if it were magical, but it's actually just moving compressed video data. In this case, even USB 2 works because the headset isn’t capable of handling faster decoding speeds. Discussing "GPU signals over USB" can make things sound unclear.