HTC Vive's Resolution Issue In Elite: Dangerous Is Damning

[grammatonfeather]

I think the Rift is geared for kiddy winkies! All those kidy games and demos its got on Home..., blahh (im still waiting for my rift though)

Vive is i think is a bit more grown up.. and valve cool.. a bit beta round the edges but we like that dont we??

Eh? No. Oculus is playing it safe because of all the kiddies who spew and sue. Oculus has Project Cars, a fully working ED, Eve Valkyrie etc. Vive is the one with the majority of kiddy games. Job Sim? Construction thing and a whole bunch of casual crappies.

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Vive has a lot of "kiddy" games, too. I have one arriving today, but I've lost all the excitement I had after learning about how poorly it handles Elite compared to the Rift. Elite is the whole reason I wanted VR in the first place.

My Vive arrived a day early. Just as I suspected... feels barely any heavier than DK2 and I have no issues using that for hours on end. The controllers feel light. Not set it up yet.

 

[Derage]

Can we please keep this thing on topic?

FD has stated that the Rift CV1 and the Vive are both sent the same image data;

https://np.reddit.com/r/EliteDanger...l_the_vive_get_proper_elite_dangerous/d2pqb5a

The images the client provides the Vive are the same as the ones provided to the Rift. There isn't a Vive 'version' of the Elite: Dangerous client - this issue comes from how these images are displayed by the headset. As mentioned, we hope to introduce measures to help mitigate the problem from our side."
CMDR Sticks

Ergo, any differences between the Rift and Vive 'versions' are strictly down to how the HMD hardware (including the driver, screen(s) and lenses) behave. Not Elite itself. FD are not at fault here.

To me, it looks like HTC/Valve need to work with FD (and probably other software developers) and work out the exact reason for the distortion/apparent low resolution. It may be that the Vive driver and lenses configuration can't deliver a viable image via their HMD software (I hope this isn't true). Given the differences in FOV, it may require slightly different images generated in ED for each flavour of HMD. This solution will require work by FD. Its probably a bit of both.

As FD has said, they will be working on it, but there's no timeline yet. What's the word from Valve? Anything?

It's kind of strange there are already so many games out there that didn't need HTC/Vive to get involved in the development of games and have no issues whatsoever when being played on either HMD. Also hearing conflicting reports about whether or not the game was running fine before an Oculus SDK update or something. All in all I think Valve/HTC should not be needed to be involved with this if you look at all the other games that developed their games without their involvement.

 

[SLeeC]

Eh? No. Oculus is playing it safe because of all the kiddies who spew and sue. Oculus has Project Cars, a fully working ED, Eve Valkyrie etc. Vive is the one with the majority of kiddy games. Job Sim? Construction thing and a whole bunch of casual crappies.

Hmm, the likes of Job sim/budget cuts/humongous contraption are good baby steps to getting used to the locomotion and grabbing/throwing mechanics. Not avail in oculus yet soo... farlands? luckeys tale? anyone? :-/

 

[Arrichion]

The vive is great.. and prolly more suited to more experienced users (big kids)

I'm sure it's wonderful if your goal is room-scale experiences, but my goal is a seated experience in Elite. As far as that is concerned, a sense of proper scale and high quality visuals are necessary, both of which are reportedly inferior on the Vive in this one game. I'm not sure I'll even open the box when my Vive arrives today. I know Frontier is reportedly working on the issues, but from what I've read the issues are structural and probably not something that can be corrected with software. Holding onto a very expensive piece of hardware waiting for a fix that might take months or even be impossible, all while the possibility of recouping the money I spent dwindles daily, is a very tough pill to swallow.

 

[SLeeC]

"As far as that is concerned, a sense of proper scale and high quality visuals are necessary, both of which are reportedly inferior on the Vive in this one game."

Personally i dont see any problem with scale and the resolution is fine (to me looks rendered SHARP pixel for pixel 1-1).. just the fresnel glare is a problem which and be fixed with "lighting changes"(eventually) and playing with the contrast/colors/hud.

 

[SLeeC]

"I'm sure it's wonderful if your goal is room-scale experiences, but my goal is a seated experience in Elite".. sorry to keep blathering on but if u dont get Valve's 'The Lab' and try Xortex your missing out.. i think the Xortex model of combat could work nicely in Elite combat zones!

 

[grammatonfeather]

I guess I will find out how bad ED is with Vive today. A guy on Unreal dev forum is telling me he has no problem with Vive and ED and was playing it a few days ago. I gave him a link to this thread.

I'm about to drill holes in 2 walls.

 

[Heavenly-Hammer]

I guess I will find out how bad ED is with Vive today. A guy on Unreal dev forum is telling me he has no problem with Vive and ED and was playing it a few days ago. I gave him a link to this thread.

I'm about to drill holes in 2 walls.

It's okay. Just lower resolution than it should be. If you can run it at 1.5x Supersampling without frame drops, you'll see how it *should* look. Hopefully FDev will fix it or work with Valve to fix whatever the problem is.

 

[grammatonfeather]

It's okay. Just lower resolution than it should be. If you can run it at 1.5x Supersampling without frame drops, you'll see how it *should* look. Hopefully FDev will fix it or work with Valve to fix whatever the problem is.

Hmmm, Problem I foresee there is that SteamVR runs like a slug and I will lose ATW with Vive. How will ED run on a GTX 970?

ATW has made a massive difference to VR on my PC... shocked to learn Vive is totally lacking in that area but I shouldn't be surprised... Valve.

 

[Mark D]

It's kind of strange there are already so many games out there that didn't need HTC/Vive to get involved in the development of games and have no issues whatsoever when being played on either HMD. Also hearing conflicting reports about whether or not the game was running fine before an Oculus SDK update or something.....

This^^^ I'm struggling to think of even one other game that has the same symptoms? I read a post on these forums from someone who ran demo's of ED for FD on the Vive Pre without any reports of this problem. I also remember playing ED with the DK2, when things that were already working regularly went wrong on the next release. I know that was Beta but it wouldn't surprise me if the odd mistake still crept into the software during the early days of new HMDs.

I have read 'it's definitely' <X> <Y> or <Z> but until we get a few more facts/details it all 'feels like' guess work and speculation (now including me ).

 

[SLeeC]

I have a 970 and vive combo.. everything works great. ED in Direct is good but in Extended is laggy in ports etc

U need a 6.5mm and an 8-9mm (have to be countersunk) drill bit for the holes with the HTC wall plugs

 

[grammatonfeather]

This^^^ I'm struggling to think of even one other game that has the same symptoms? I read a post on these forums from someone who ran demo's of ED for FD on the Vive Pre without any reports of this problem (same screens). I also remember playing ED with the DK2, when things that were already working regularly went wrong on the next release. I know that was Beta but it wouldn't surprise me if the odd mistake still crept into the software during the early days of new HMDs.

I have read 'it's definitely' <X> <Y> or <Z> but until we get a few more facts/details it all feels like guess work and speculation (now including me ).

The issue of things working initially and then suddenly not working is typical of Valve Steam updates.

 

[Mark D]

The issue of things working initially and then suddenly not working is typical of Valve Steam updates.

LOL quite possibly.

As a bigger question - either way if it was working before should it not be something recognised and resolved quite quickly?

 

[SpitTheDog]

It's okay. Just lower resolution than it should be. If you can run it at 1.5x Supersampling without frame drops, you'll see how it *should* look. Hopefully FDev will fix it or work with Valve to fix whatever the problem is.

Once you get it right it is amazing in CQC. I know not everybody likes that but flying around asteroids and through the structures is intense.

 

[ranix]

Ergo, any differences between the Rift and Vive 'versions' are strictly down to how the HMD hardware (including the driver, screen(s) and lenses) behave. Not Elite itself. FD are not at fault here.

Bul    . The resolution on the Vive is lower than the Oculus when playing Elite. This is after Frontier told us the HTC Vive was their preferred platform. Failing to detect such a severe issue before the launch of the hardware is absolutely FD's fault. The HTC vive has also been available to consumers for around 2 months and there is still no fix.

I wouldn't be so annoyed if they hadn't talked up the vive repeatedly and said it was their preferred VR platform. Now all the Vive buyers have egg on their faces. This is absolutely FD's fault at least for their incredibly poor communication.

 

[Lestenio]

Bul . The resolution on the Vive is lower than the Oculus when playing Elite. This is after Frontier told us the HTC Vive was their preferred platform. Failing to detect such a severe issue before the launch of the hardware is absolutely FD's fault. The HTC vive has also been available to consumers for around 2 months and there is still no fix.

I wouldn't be so annoyed if they hadn't talked up the vive repeatedly and said it was their preferred VR platform. Now all the Vive buyers have egg on their faces. This is absolutely FD's fault at least for their incredibly poor communication.

Have you taken a look at how often Valve update their VR driver? I don't understand how you think a 3rd party software vendor constantly changing their software is FDs fault

 

[grammatonfeather]

LOL quite possibly.

As a bigger question - either way if it was working before should it not be something recognised and resolved quite quickly?

If Valve is to blame - no. If it's something Frontier can fix - yes.

 

[Aio]

There is a lot of speculations here. I will add mine
I have a _very_ hard time to believe that this is a technical issue. Should not FD with all resources manage to "fix" the resolution problem when all other small/indie devs putting out vive/occulus stuff?? Also no official communication about what is happening... I bet on that this is some agreement issue and someone try to put up some pressure in the negotiations. Is it due to that you need to start Elite through steam, i.e. all VR users need to get 3:rd party keys and install ED in steam?

 

[xaisis]

If Valve is to blame - no. If it's something Frontier can fix - yes.

There is many VR-vive demo´s out there that Works just fine. just ED that looks bad.

The speed with which FD solves bugs... it could take a while.

Bul . The resolution on the Vive is lower than the Oculus when playing Elite. This is after Frontier told us the HTC Vive was their preferred platform. Failing to detect such a severe issue before the launch of the hardware is absolutely FD's fault. The HTC vive has also been available to consumers for around 2 months and there is still no fix.

I wouldn't be so annoyed if they hadn't talked up the vive repeatedly and said it was their preferred VR platform. Now all the Vive buyers have egg on their faces. This is absolutely FD's fault at least for their incredibly poor communication.

Bad communication, if any.
Claiming support for the vive when there is none.
Vive runs other titles just fine. so that points the error to be at ED.

Yep, I got eggs on my face.

 

[Ryder35]

Bul    . The resolution on the Vive is lower than the Oculus when playing Elite. This is after Frontier told us the HTC Vive was their preferred platform. Failing to detect such a severe issue before the launch of the hardware is absolutely FD's fault. The HTC vive has also been available to consumers for around 2 months and there is still no fix.

I wouldn't be so annoyed if they hadn't talked up the vive repeatedly and said it was their preferred VR platform. Now all the Vive buyers have egg on their faces. This is absolutely FD's fault at least for their incredibly poor communication.

Care to provide a quote where they said the Vive was their preferred platform? I don't remember them saying that at any time.