HTC is set to release a new update for the Vive Focus Plus that will allow the VR headsets to stream PC content via WiFi.
The Taiwanese consumer electronics maker announced that the upcoming Viveport Streaming feature will give its standalone VR gear the ability to access Viveport content on a personal computer using a 5GHz WiFi network.
For Vive Focus Plus owners, this provides them the option to use their six degrees of freedom (6DoF) headsets with VR-capable PCs.
How To Connect Vive Focus Plus To Viveport
To stream PC content using the Vive Focus Plus, users will have to login to their Viveport Infinity account on the VR gear and a PC. They will then have to connect both devices using the same WiFi connection. Choosing the "PC Stream" option on the headset's main menu will bring up all available Viveport PC apps on the display.
HTC's Viveport Infinity service has more than 2,000 virtual reality applications for PC and mobile devices so far. This gives it about 10 times more content than the Viveport M marketplace for the Vive Focus Plus.
Connecting the standalone headset to Viveport Streaming also allows subscribers to try out new VR titles without having to wait for a suitable port for the device.
HTC already made a crack at using VR gear to stream PC content. The company tried to push a third-party software known as VRidge, which offered a similar feature for the original Vive Focus. However, the app had difficulties operating seamlessly on the headset and never really got off the ground.
Meanwhile, Viveport Streaming reportedly works better with the Vive Focus Plus than VRidge. The new program is said to connect to Viveport Infinity automatically and offers a more intuitive and seamless integration with the service.
Mobile-Friendly VR Headsets
HTC plans to roll out the streaming service to other Vive Wave-capable 6DoF headsets available in the market such as those made by Chinese companies Pico and iQiyi.
The company hopes that Viveport Streaming will help it compete better with rival Facebook as far as mobile-friendly VR headsets are concerned.
"Viveport Streaming expands the accessible content for standalone devices from hundreds of titles to many thousands instantly, by enabling one-click access to the entire existing PC VR content library," HTC said.
"This will allow users to enjoy high-quality VR content rendered from a high-end PC without having to worry about a wired connection or buying an additional VR streaming accessory."
