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Virtual Desktop's new update will bring dramatic improvements

Virtual Desktop's new update will bring dramatic improvements
logoUPDATE

June 27, 2023:

Update 1.27.1 is now available.

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Update: 

Developer Guy Godin writes on Twitter that update 1.27.1 is available now.

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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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