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    HTC Vive Pro 2 vs. Vive Pro | Digital Trends

    The 2021 ViveCon occasion noticed HTC announce two new generations of digital actuality (VR) headsets, certainly one of them being an essential improve to the Vive Pro, the Vive Pro 2. At first look, these fashions look pretty related, and we all know that Vive followers on the market wish to know all the small print earlier than they determine whether or not or to not improve. Let’s go over every part and what — in our expertise — is the very best headset for the cash.
    Note: HTC can be discontinuing the Vive Pro and not sells it instantly. You should still have the ability to discover it at a third-party vendor if you wish to lower your expenses, however this piece is extra geared towards these questioning if upgrading from a currently-owned Pro to the Pro 2 is price it.
    Design
    Luke Larsen/Digital TrendsFor the Pro 2, Vive left the design of its headset largely unchanged. Both fashions nonetheless embrace the identical ergonomics, adjustable straps, and cable administration choices when hooking up the headset to your PC or laptop computer. While we weren’t satisfied that the Pro mannequin supplied sufficient worth for its value in comparison with the unique Vive, there’s little question that the sturdier, padded design and adjustable, built-in headphones had been a noticeable quality-of life-improvement. The Pro 2 advantages from all of that — and each fashions provide IPD (inter-pupillary distance) bodily changes between 57mm and 72mm. Both additionally use USB-C connections.
    The solely notable distinction here’s a beauty change to the faceplate, which now is available in black by default as an alternative of blue. Not precisely a call to sway any patrons come what may.
    Display high quality and discipline of view
    Dan Baker/Digital TrendsInside, the Vive Pro 2 receives a marked improve in comparison with the Vive Pro. The first Pro mannequin comes with 1400 x 1600 decision per eye show for a mixed decision of 2800 x 1600, with a most refresh charge of 90Hz and a 110-degree discipline of view.
    The Pro 2 improves on that with a 2448 x 2448 decision per eye (4896 x 2448 whole), a 120-degree discipline of view, and a 120Hz refresh charge — all significantly better specs for experiencing every part a VR sport has to supply and the potential to make points with nausea higher because of higher total readability. The Vive Pro 2 additionally has some software program enhancements beneath the hood, together with the 2nd-generation model of SteamVR monitoring and improved sensors.
    The Vive Pro 2 is undoubtedly the extra detailed headset (its screens provide the best headset decision within the shopper house), and so they do use LCD panels moderately than the OLED ones within the unique Vive Pro. That ought to imply that, although they’re quicker and extra detailed, they could not provide the identical inky blacks and infinite distinction ratio of the unique Pro screens.
    Note that regardless of the leap in enchancment, HTC didn’t change the PC advisable specs for the Vive Pro 2. That means you don’t should improve your laptop when shopping for the Pro 2. At least not straight away (extra on this under).
    Audio
    Audio is one other side that HTC made comparatively few modifications to when designing the Pro 2. Both the Vive Pro and the Pro 2 include:
    Hi-Res licensed headset with USB-C analog sign.
    Hi-Res licensed headphones which can be detachable if mandatory.
    Support for top impedance headphones, which makes it extra doubtless that your gaming headphones shall be supported (in the event you can match them on the headset).
    Using the Vive wi-fi adapter
    If you have got been utilizing the wi-fi adapter in your Vive Pro or have an interest within the wi-fi expertise, it’s possible you’ll be questioning the way it works on the Vive Pro 2.
    The present mannequin of the Vive wi-fi adapter will perform with the Vive Pro 2 however with restricted capabilities, so that you gained’t have the ability to benefit from the totally upgraded specs of the brand new mannequin. The adapter will restrict you to a 1224 x 1224 decision per eye on the Pro 2 and a 90Hz refresh charge, which is even decrease than the wired Vive Pro specs. Vive has reported that it’s engaged on a wi-fi firmware improve to achieve a 1632 x 1632 decision, however no timeline has been given for the discharge of a brand new adapter or firmware replace to date.
    If you have an interest in Vive’s wi-fi adapter, it will probably deal with efficiency fairly effectively but in addition requires vital processing energy to keep away from degradation issues. We recommend bumping up your specs for wi-fi in comparison with the baseline necessities we talk about under, ideally to a current technology Intel Core i7/i9 or an AMD Ryzen 7/9 processor.
    Performance and necessities
    As we talked about, HTC has left the PC necessities for the Vive Pro 2 largely untouched, with some small modifications. Here are the small print behind what you’ll want:
    Processor: An Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500 equal or higher.
    Graphics: The primary GPU advice is the Nvidia GeForce GTZ 1060 or the AMD Radeon RX 480. However, right here HTC makes a brand new distinction: If you wish to use Full Resolution mode for getting the decision as excessive as potential for the video games that help it, you’ll need not less than a GeForce RTX 20 Series or an AMD Radeon 5000, which embrace this help.
    Memory: 8 GB RAM or extra
    Video out: Both fashions require not less than DisplayPort 1.2. But that is one other spot the place HTC advises these within the Full Resolution mode to ensure they’re utilizing not less than DisplayPort 1.4.
    USB ports: USB-C 3.0 or newer
    Operating system: Windows 10
    Pricing
    The actual pricing query right here issues the Vive Pro 2: Nominally, the Pro 2 has an MSRP that’s $200 larger than the Pro at $799 and is offered for preorder proper now. If you wish to improve out of your present Pro mannequin, you’ll should pay considerably extra to do it in comparison with the price of your unique headset.
    The unique Vive Pro headset is presently being handled like a restricted version now that it’s not being made, so as an alternative of the $599 MSRP, it’s now promoting for wherever from $700 to $1,200 relying on the provider — not precisely a viable various for individuals who are searching for a model new HTC headset.
    Conclusion: The Vive Pro 2 is a superior — however costly — headset
    The Pro 2 is a transparent improve with regards to efficiency: The decision, refresh charge, and discipline of view all obtained vital upgrades that profit the newest VR video games, particularly when you’ve got the specs to match. If that is your first VR headset, or you might be shifting to HTC from a unique model, we advocate that you simply select the Vive Pro 2.
    If you have got the earlier Vive Pro and are questioning about an improve, the selection is tougher. Paying round $700 for a headset, plus equipment, could also be lots to ask for an improve that has higher show specs however doesn’t change the design or audio high quality. Ultimately, it’s about what’s most essential to you and your price range.

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