Virtual Desktop update brings "significantly" better performance
The latest update for Virtual Desktop should significantly improve PC VR streaming performance. Pico headsets will also benefit from this.
Developer Guy Godin announced via Twitter: "Next Virtual Desktop update is looking promising. Big improvements with PCVR game performance." If you own a Meta Quest 2, you can already try the beta version of the update. Here's how:
- Open the Meta Quest app on your smartphone and search for Virtual Desktop.
- Scroll down and tap on the app version under "Additional details".
- Under "Channel", select beta version 1.25.70. You should now be able to install the beta version on the headset.
- Download the beta version of the VR desktop streamer and install it on your PC.
The new update takes the load off the GPU
The performance improvements are PC-side and will also benefit Pico headsets, Godin confirms on Twitter. However, not until the update leaves beta and officially rolls out to all headsets. Pico devices cannot currently be used to test beta versions of Virtual Desktop.
It is not clear from the release notes from which changes the improvements result and how they have an effect. Godin mentions the "better parallelization of GPU work" as an optimization.
On Twitter, a Virtual Desktop user writes that the update can improve PC VR performance by up to 20 percent. This would be a great help, especially for slower PCs.
PC VR with Meta Quest Pro gets even prettier
According to the update's release notes, VD users can also look forward to the following new features:
- reduced micro stutters in SteamVR games
- added new keyboard layouts (UK, DE, FR, CA)
- added support for DualShock 4 controllers and the ability to choose the type of emulated game pad
- improved compatibility with PC VR games Among US VR, Vail and others
- various bug fixes
Meta Quest Pro owners may soon have an additional reason to rejoice: Godin wants to support PC VR streaming with local dimming in the future, which could result in stronger contrast and darker blacks. "As soon as I can switch to OpenXR on Quest, this will be an option," Godin writes.
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