HTC unveils new VIVE Focus Vision standalone XR headset with eye tracking and DisplayPort mode

HTC have unveiled their latest VIVE headset tonight, announcing the VIVE Focus Vision XR headset for Enterprises and High-end Gaming.

The VIVE Focus Vision is an Extended Reality (XR) headset offering standalone XR experience as well as a DisplayPort mode for visually lossless PCVR.

On the hardware front, the Focus Vision Is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor with 12 GB DDR5 RAM and 128GB storage with support up to 2TB microSD. There’s a combined 5K display across both eyes in the headset with 120° Field of View, and 90Hz refresh rate.

The headset will build on the VIVE Focus 3 platform with accessories able to be shared between headsets. HTC says the Focus Vision adds ‘significant updates in visuals and comfort, as well as improvements in operational efficiency and headset sharing for multi-user scenarios’. 

The HTC VIVE Focus Vision is aimed at both Enterprise level usage in Location Based Experience (LBE),industrial training, collaboration, and mixed reality applications, as well as high-end gaming. 

One of the biggest additions which will appeal to high-end users is the DisplayPort mode offering lossless visuals by connecting the headset directly to a PC graphics card. This is a perfect setup for PCVR gamers with SteamVR, as well as allowing enterprise organisations to offer more immersive experiences. 

The headset includes dual eye tracking cameras with auto Interpupillary distance (ipd) adjustment, which measures the distance between the eyes of the users allowing for clear, personalised visuals. This auto adjustment will make switch headsets easier for swapping with friends or in VR Arcades or LBEs.

The VIVE Focus Vision also brings two front-facing 16MP colour cameras for stereoscopic passthrough, there’s also a depth sensor for scene recognition and an infra-red sensor for enhanced hand tracking in low-light conditions. The cameras and depth sensor allow for natural depth perception making Mixed Reality (MR) experiences more comfortable.

HTC has also worked on extended use cases, with a revamped cooling system which includes a bigger fan that can move 30% more air, while also making the headset quieter. There’s also a built-in sub-battery which can last up to 20 minutes, allowing for swapping batteries on the fly, so you never have to lose your place. 

Shen Ye, Global Head of Product at HTC VIVE said

“VIVE Focus Vision gives you the best of both worlds, with outstanding standalone capabilities, and DisplayPort mode support for visually lossless PCVR experiences. Now, PC gamers can bring the same high-end headsets used in VR arcades into their homes. We’re taking everything to the next level with built-in eye-tracking, stereo colour passthrough cameras for depth-correct Mixed Reality, and even an infra-red sensor for enhanced hand tracking in low-light conditions.”

Availability and Pricing

The HTC Vive Focus Vision will be priced at $1,899 for the consumer version, with a corporate edition priced at $2,399. 

Pre-orders for VIVE Focus Vision are open from today and run through until October 17th. If you do want to pre-order you’ll nab yourself a VIVE Wired Streaming Kit for DisplayPort mode valued at AU$279, as well as a choice of one of three popular game bundles as a complimentary package.

The Vive Focus Vision will come with more than seven games, including XRWorkout, Capsule Critters and theBlu, but you’ll also be able to choose one of these three packages: 

• PC VR Wild Pack: Metro Awakening, Arizona Sunshine 2, Bootstrap Island, and Breachers
• PC VR Epic Pack: The Pirate Queen with Lucy Liu, Taskmaster VR, Wanderer, and KayakVR: Mirage
• MR Fun Pack: Puzzling Places, Magic Keys, YUKI, Toy Trains, and Figmin XR

You can head over to the HTC Vive website now to check it out. 

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