Quest 3 - How do you use Virtual Desktop with non-SteamVR ED

[VR andysonofbob]

Hi all

I should know this. When I tried to run ED with Virtual Desktop it tried to launch SteamVR which I don't want to use. (Airlink is unplayably laggy for me and I would like to make use of VD's upscaler.)

What is the process for getting ED running in VR using VD. Or do I have to use SteamVR if I want to go wireless via VD?

Thanks!

 

[pFVD]

I'm not 100% but I believe VD relies on SteamVR, at least by default. However just recently they added VDXR which is VD's version of OpenComposite. I've not tried it myself (yet) but somewhere in the settings you should be able to find VDXR. With OpenComposite for Link you bypass SteamVR, and I would assume that VDXR likewise bypasses SteamVR. Hopefully someone more experienced will come along soon but maybe that will give you a starting point? It should be in the settings for the streamer app (the PC app).

 

[DeckerSolo]

Hi all

I should know this. When I tried to run ED with Virtual Desktop it tried to launch SteamVR which I don't want to use. (Airlink is unplayably laggy for me and I would like to make use of VD's upscaler.)

What is the process for getting ED running in VR using VD. Or do I have to use SteamVR if I want to go wireless via VD?

Thanks!

I run ED with a Q3 by WiFi in Virtual Desktop, without Steam / SteamVR / the Oculus App or Airlink, none of which are needed, and the performace for me is very good.
This is how I do it

1. Install OpenXR Toolkit on you PC, set the on-screen menu hotkeys to you pereference (see note below)
2. Install OpenComposite Runtime Switcher on you PC and have its switch button set to launch with OpenComposite NOT SteamVR
3. Purchase Virtual Desktop from the Meta Store and install on the Q3
4. Install the companion Virtual Desktop streamer app on your PC
5. Set Virtual Desktop Streamer Options OpenXR Runtime to VDXR
6. Create a desktop icon to launch EDLaunch.exe /VR (can be Steam or Frontier version in my tests)
7. Put on the Q3 headset and power on
8. Using one of the handset controllers launch Virtual Desktop
9. Then using my mouse launch ED from the the desktop icon

NOTES:

1. Virtual Desktop requires your PC to be ethernet cable connected to your router
2. I also use a dedicated 5GHz WiFi range extender (cable connected to my main router) to WiFi connect my Q3 giving me 1200Mbs connection speed
3. OpenXR Toolkit applies some simple post-processing to adjust the brightness, contrast and saturation of the images displayed in the headset, and is NOT absolutley necessary
4. The OpenComposite Runtime Switcher prevents SteamVR from launching
5. Ensure the /vr binary in your desktop launch icon is outside the " " quotes
6. You can creat a /novr binary desktop to launch the game in 2D mode

 

[VR andysonofbob]

I run ED with a Q3 in Virtual Desktop, without Steam / SteamVR / the Oculus App or Airlink, none of which are needed, and the performace for me is very good.
This is how I do it

1. Install OpenXR Toolkit on you PC, set the on-screen menu hotkeys to you pereference
2. Install OpenComposite on you PC and have its switch button set to launch with OpenComposite NOT SteamVR
3. Purchase Virtual Desktop from the Meta Store and install on the Q3
4. Install the companion Virtual Desktop streamer app on your PC
5. Create a desktop icon to launch EDLaunch.exe /VR
6. Put on the Q3 headset and power on
7. Using one of the handset controllers launch Virtual Desktop
8. Then using my mouse launch ED from the the desktop icon

View attachment 378927View attachment 378928

That's amazingly helpful. Can't wait to try it!

edit
Do I need to keep the OpenXR Toolkit and the OpenComposite switcher on for this to work? (I know I need the VD streamer app on)

 

[DeckerSolo]

That's amazingly helpful. Can't wait to try it!

edit
Do I need to keep the OpenXR Toolkit and the OpenComposite switcher on for this to work? (I know I need the VD streamer app on)

Once installed the OpenXR Toolkit is a one shot set up to define what keys you want to navigate the in-headset menus
Once installed OpenComposite runtime switcher is a one shot set up to whether you want Steam VR or OpenComposite

 

[VR andysonofbob]

Once installed the OpenXR Toolkit is a one shot set up to define what keys you want to navigate the in-headset menus
Once installed OpenComposite runtime switcher is a one shot set up to whether you want Steam VR or OpenComposite

Wow! It looked amazing
AND
I got steady 90Hz in the station. Repeat for those who didn't read that... 90Hz in a station! There is some magic going on there.

That is absolutely nuts. Visual Desktop uses the headset's chip as an upscaler so ED has never looked so sharp too. I have reduced sharpness down to 60%, might even go lower, as I think VD's default is a bit too harsh.

Blown away. Hoping other Oculus Home games work...

 

[DeckerSolo]

Wow! It looked amazing
AND
I got steady 90Hz in the station. Repeat for those who didn't read that... 90Hz in a station! There is some magic going on there.

That is absolutely nuts. Visual Desktop uses the headset's chip as an upscaler so ED has never looked so sharp too. I have reduced sharpness down to 60%, might even go lower, as I think VD's default is a bit too harsh.

Blown away. Hoping other Oculus Home games work...

There are settings from the OpenXR Toolkit you installed accessable by pressing the "On-screen menu hotkeys" to adapt in game settings.
First go to the very last menu and change the "time out" setting, otherwise the options dissapear in 15 seconds.
The only one I change here is the "Turbo" option with gives me about 5 fps more.

 

[cmdr-chipwitch]

I run ED with a Q3 in Virtual Desktop, without Steam / SteamVR / the Oculus App or Airlink, none of which are needed, and the performace for me is very good.
This is how I do it

1. Install OpenXR Toolkit on you PC, set the on-screen menu hotkeys to you pereference
2. Install OpenComposite on you PC and have its switch button set to launch with OpenComposite NOT SteamVR
3. Purchase Virtual Desktop from the Meta Store and install on the Q3
4. Install the companion Virtual Desktop streamer app on your PC
5. Create a desktop icon to launch EDLaunch.exe /VR
6. Put on the Q3 headset and power on
7. Using one of the handset controllers launch Virtual Desktop
8. Then using my mouse launch ED from the the desktop icon

View attachment 378927View attachment 378928

Thanks for this. I'm still learning the Q3 and VD. Is OXR required? I tried VD with just OC and I'm getting high latency (sometimes over 100) in EDO.

12th Gen i7, 8 cores, 32GB
rtx 4070 ti super, 16 GB
5 GHz/ 1200 Mbps
Ethernet to Desktop PC
AV1 10-bit codec.

I'm not running Oculus, any Links, steam or steamVR... Just OC, VD and the edlauncher /VR shortcut. I don't know why, but fpsVR overlay is booting with ED using OC/VD but won't show up in ED with Oculus/steamvr. In any case, I finally got ED settings working well via the cable link (no VD). Very smooth, even in stations. Using those settings, it functions with AirLink, though not well. Using the same ED graphic settings, I'd say AirLink is working better than VD, but I can't be sure of the fps since my fps window isn't showing up using the Oculus method.

When the initial ED splash screen boots, I get fps and latency both around 60. But when the progress wheel is on screen (prepping the galaxy), those readings drop to about 23 fps/ 85ms. It stays pretty much right there at all times, even at the main ED menu! Any tips to help me get this resolved?

 

[DeckerSolo]

Thanks for this. I'm still learning the Q3 and VD. Is OXR required? I tried VD with just OC and I'm getting high latency (sometimes over 100) in EDO.

12th Gen i7, 8 cores, 32GB
rtx 4070 ti super, 16 GB
5 GHz/ 1200 Mbps
Ethernet to Desktop PC
AV1 10-bit codec.

I'm not running Oculus, any Links, steam or steamVR... Just OC, VD and the edlauncher /VR shortcut. I don't know why, but fpsVR overlay is booting with ED using OC/VD but won't show up in ED with Oculus/steamvr. In any case, I finally got ED settings working well via the cable link (no VD). Very smooth, even in stations. Using those settings, it functions with AirLink, though not well. Using the same ED graphic settings, I'd say AirLink is working better than VD, but I can't be sure of the fps since my fps window isn't showing up using the Oculus method.

When the initial ED splash screen boots, I get fps and latency both around 60. But when the progress wheel is on screen (prepping the galaxy), those readings drop to about 23 fps/ 85ms. It stays pretty much right there at all times, even at the main ED menu! Any tips to help me get this resolved?

Make sure the OpenComposite Runtime Switcher is set to "OpenComposite (OpenXR)" not "SteamVR"

 

[cmdr-chipwitch]

Make sure the OpenComposite Runtime Switcher is set to "OpenComposite (OpenXR)" not "SteamVR"

Looks like you might have edited your message. I got the email-notification from the site with what I assume is your original text. So, I'm partially responding to what was in the email. I started with an Oculus Rift about 6 years ago. Discovered ED which soon became the only thing I used the Rift for. Then, I moved out of state and never really got it set back up again. Recently, ED legacy was offered for free on PS and it pulled me back in. Of course, the platform was new to me, so new account, back in the Sidewinder... Motivated by getting back my old ships, rank and credits, I dusted off the rift and set out to reinstall on my new system. It's been over a year now, so I forget the details (I'm old), but I do remember still having my account with FD and had to enlist their help to link my Steam and FD accounts. Is it possible that I have the FD version and found a way to run it from steam? Does steam and FD use the same server or are they considered cross platform? All that to say, I'm not sure how I can tell which version I'm running. I just attempted to run VD again, making sure there are no steam apps running in the task manager. Still, the fps overlay is still there. Weird. And yes, OC is set to open composite. Same fps results mentioned previously. Any other suggestions?

 

[DeckerSolo]

Looks like you might have edited your message. I got the email-notification from the site with what I assume is your original text. So, I'm partially responding to what was in the email. I started with an Oculus Rift about 6 years ago. Discovered ED which soon became the only thing I used the Rift for. Then, I moved out of state and never really got it set back up again. Recently, ED legacy was offered for free on PS and it pulled me back in. Of course, the platform was new to me, so new account, back in the Sidewinder... Motivated by getting back my old ships, rank and credits, I dusted off the rift and set out to reinstall on my new system. It's been over a year now, so I forget the details (I'm old), but I do remember still having my account with FD and had to enlist their help to link my Steam and FD accounts. Is it possible that I have the FD version and found a way to run it from steam? Does steam and FD use the same server or are they considered cross platform? All that to say, I'm not sure how I can tell which version I'm running. I just attempted to run VD again, making sure there are no steam apps running in the task manager. Still, the fps overlay is still there. Weird. And yes, OC is set to open composite. Same fps results mentioned previously. Any other suggestions?

I've run a test with both my copies of ED, (copy purchased from Frontier Store and copy purchased via Steam) and can run both without Steam VR running, ie in OC mode, with the OpenComposite Runtime Switcher is set to "OpenComposite (OpenXR)" not "SteamVR".

Sounds like you have done this = Frontier can provide you with a Key to enable your Frontier copy of ED to be launched from Steam.

As far as I know if you have installed both "OpenXR Toolkit" and "OpenComposite" on you PC and have the OpenComposite Runtime Switcher set to "OpenComposite (OpenXR)" not "SteamVR", then with your Q3 headset powered on launch VD to see your PC desktop, then you can launch ED from either the desktop icon with the VR extension to the .exe target file or launch the game from within Steam it will (for me anyway) launch the game in to OC VR not SteamVR.

 

[nigeljk]

I have installed the above and setup as instructed and I can now run ED without SteamVR or Oculus. I have not changed any of my setting in ED.

I have a Q2 and run on a gaming laptop with a 30360 GPU. I had to remove the Oculus software from my machine as it always kicked off when I ran with the /VR switch.

I'm getting abysmal FPS,(<40) even on the main menu. Have I missed anything?

 

[DeckerSolo]

I have installed the above and setup as instructed and I can now run ED without SteamVR or Oculus. I have not changed any of my setting in ED.

I have a Q2 and run on a gaming laptop with a 30360 GPU. I had to remove the Oculus software from my machine as it always kicked off when I ran with the /VR switch.

I'm getting abysmal FPS,(<40) even on the main menu. Have I missed anything?

Virtual Desktop requires your PC to be connected to your WiFi router by an ethernet cable not WiFi.
Best if you check out the help pages of https://discord.vrdesktop.net

 

[nigeljk]

Laptop is connected to 1 GHz network and I also usually attach the WiFi (this might be the reason?).

I tried again last night and things definitely improved (intel updated my wifi adapter). I managed to log on and was getting 30-40 fps in station and 60ish in the black. It's playable there, but very stuttery and blacks out the edges if I move my head too much. Although I'm playing EDO, I'm not going out on foot anywhere.

 

[Stratosfearxx]

Hi all, thank you so much for this CMDR DeckerSolo, looks like this should work well for me.

ED is launching fine without Steam but it's not picking up my custom keybinds file, any idea (anyone) how to do this please?

Quest3, PS5 controller.

Edit: custom keybinds file shows up if I launch ED through steam but not via the VR shortcut ... Very odd.

 

[krazmuze]

[nvm did not realize this was a necroanswer]

 

[Stratosfearxx]

[nvm did not realize this was a necroanswer]

A what?

 

[Stratosfearxx]

[nvm did not realize this was a necroanswer]

Oh it's ok, got your original answer by email.

 

[krazmuze]

Oh it's ok, got your original answer by email.

necroanswer as I did not realizing this was a necrothread popup, and I responded to OP before I realized the same answer had already been given by DeckerSolo and that is what you already acknowledged. Wish I had found this thread myself when I was trying to figure out how to use VDXR instead of SteamVR last week! The only thing I would add is Open Composite Toolkit was not required, it worked fine with just the Open Composite Switcher - it shows up on VD debug overlay as VDXR+OC so it is indeed redirecting SteamVR to VD's Open XR using the switcher.

Dunno if OCTK has to do with your keybinds issue I was slowly going thru training to do my keybinds and did not lose custom, although I use Epic not Steam. There was just a big update and I have heard that updates might wipe custom, but I started on my keybinds after that. I did bookmark an old post where the keybinds are stored if you wanna make sure they get backed up and rename the file.

lost your binds? want hasstle free backed up binds look no further

keybindings can reset if you visit the control section without one of your usual devices used to play the game ie hotas , xbox pad etc not plugged in or at that present moment is undetected by windows as it thinks your just using keyboard and mouse it simply rewrites your binds for you...

forums.frontier.co.uk

 

[Stratosfearxx]

necroanswer as I did not realizing this was a necrothread popup, and I responded to OP before I realized the same answer had already been given by DeckerSolo and that is what you already acknowledged.

The only thing I would add is Open Composite Toolkit was not required, it worked fine with just the Open Composite Switcher - it shows up on VD debug overlay as VDXR+OC so it is indeed redirecting SteamVR to VD's Open XR using the switcher. Dunno if OCTK has to do with your keybinds issue I was slowly going thru training to do my keybinds and did not lose custom, although I use Epic not Steam. There was just a big update and I have heard that updates might wipe custom, but I started on my keybinds after that.

I did bookmark an old post where the keybinds are stored if you wanna make sure they get backed up and rename the file.

lost your binds? want hasstle free backed up binds look no further

keybindings can reset if you visit the control section without one of your usual devices used to play the game ie hotas , xbox pad etc not plugged in or at that present moment is undetected by windows as it thinks your just using keyboard and mouse it simply rewrites your binds for you...

forums.frontier.co.uk

Many thanks, more twiddling needed.