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HTC Announces Higher-Resolution Vive And Wireless Adapter
HTC today announced exciting new changes to the Vive, emphasizing both higher resolution and a wireless adapter.
The new headset, named the Vive Pro, boosts the resolution beyond the realm of existing VR headsets. upping the OLED displays to 2880 x 1600, which works out to 1400 x 1600 per eye and 615 pixels per inch. As a comparison to the other product where ppi is often mentioned, an iPhone X contains about 326 ppi on its screen, but the iPhone also isn't right on top of your eye. The new Vive resolution is a 78 percent increase from the 2160 x 1200 resolution of the current market's Vive.
The Vive Pro has also reformed the top headband for comfort, added a sizing dial for adjustments, integrated on-ear headphones built into the headset, and added dual-microphones and cameras to increase the capabilities inherited from the previous headset.
In addition, HTC has announced a wireless adapter to make the Vive wire-free and severely reduce risk of tripping over the cords. The adapter uses Intel's WiGig technology, which is explicitly designed to reduce latency and eliminate interference. The intention is to make a wireless headset unable to be discerned from a normal HDMI connection. The adapter will work for the existing Vive headset as well as the Vive Pro.
The Vive Pro will be releasing this quarter alongside the current headset, which will be available through 2018. A full bundle, as well as pricing, for the Vive Pro will be detailed in the future. The wireless adapter is due in the summer, but Vive is saving pricing information for down the road.
Our Take
While I can't imagine wireless VR is free of kinks, I am happy manufacturers are pursuing that so soon. Ideally, all headsets will be cord free in the future.
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