Virtual Desktop's new update will bring dramatic improvements
UPDATEJune 27, 2023:
Update 1.27.1 is now available.
Update:
Developer Guy Godin writes on Twitter that update 1.27.1 is available now.
Big update today that brings HEVC 10-bit encoding for both desktop and VR games. A new H.264+ option that pushes the bitrate limit to 400 Mbps. A new passthrough environment on Quest and a local dimming option on Quest Pro. Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/GiU9H0xuU1
— Guy Godin (@VRDesktop) June 26, 2023
Original article dated June 8, 2023:
A new update for Virtual Desktop brings higher bitrates for desktop and VR streaming, among other improvements.
Update 1.27.1 is still in beta testing, but testers are already raving about the new version on Twitter and other channels. I tried it myself and was pleasantly surprised by its performance.
Virtual Desktop 1.27 Beta on Quest is kind of insane. 400 mbps bitrate via H.264+ combined with the XR2's Snapdragon Game Super Resolution makes for some of the sharpest visuals I've seen in a consumer VR device in a long time— all running wirelessly.
— Luna (@Lunayian) May 31, 2023
The last update, version 1.26.6, was already a strong one with the introduction of Super Resolution, a feature that increases the resolution of streamed VR games without sacrificing performance.
If you have been using lower resolution levels and turn on super resolution, PC VR games will automatically scale up to ultra resolution in the background.
What the new update brings
But let's get to beta update 1.27.1 and its features and improvements. Please note that the following list is not complete.
- A new codec (H.264+) allows a bitrate of up to 400 Mbps for VR games (for all headsets except Quest 1), if your network setup allows it. Air Link is limited t0 200 Mbps by default.
- The bitrate limit for desktop-only streaming has also been increased to 100 Mbps (for all headsets except Quest 1).
- You can now enable a 10-bit codec option for a better image quality (for Nvidia 1000-series graphics cards and higher).
- Virtual Desktop's switch to OpenXR allows you to use passthrough with Quest headsets for the first time. A passthrough-enabled environment has been added to the VR app.
- Those with a Quest Pro can enjoy local dimming support for better contrast.
- Virtual Desktop now supports the DualSense controller of the Playstation 5.
There are also a number of bug fixes, for example for users of AMD graphics cards.
You can read the full release notes on Discord.
Virtual Desktop: How to test the update
It is not known when the update will be rolled out to regular users. If you own a Quest headset, you can test the beta update as follows:
- Go to the store page of iIrtual Desktop, log into your Meta account and set the app version number to 1.27.1. In Virtual Reality, you should now be able to install the beta version as an update.
- Install the beta version of the Virtual Desktop Streamer on your PC.
Virtual Desktop supports Meta Quest 1, 2, and Pro, as well as Pico Neo 3 and Pico 4, and HTC Vive Focus 3 and HTC Vive XR Elite.
In the future, Virtual Desktop could also come for Apple Vision Pro. Developer Guy Godin has expressed interest in developing for the Apple headset.
Remember that the Rift launched with an Xbox controller in the box 😉
Very impressive stuff nevertheless, I’m looking forward to develop for the Vision Pro!
AdAd— Guy Godin (@VRDesktop) June 5, 2023
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