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Table of Contents
Hardware Setup for the HTC Vive
Date: Last modified on: 04/04/17
The photo above depicts a finished setup of the HTC Vive in the lab. This tutorial will walk readers through what hardware is needed and how to setup a capture space properly.
The rest of this tutorial is presented as follows:
Parts List and Sources
US-based vendors to obtain materials to complete this tutorial include:
–Amazon
–Vive US
–Fry's Note: As of 04/04/17 they have a location near the lab in Las Vegas making quick runs to it convenient. Thus, why they are mentioned here.
To complete this tutorial the reader will need the following items:
| Part Name/Description | Vendor | Vendor URL | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTC Vive Kit | Vive or Fry's | https://www.vive.com/us/product/ or http://www.frys.com/product/8987273 | 1 | The kit will come with all the necessary hardware. 1 Vive HMD (head mounted display), 2 lighthouse base stations, 2 controllers, and the cables and power sources needed. |
| A computer with at least a GTX 1060 or equivalent | Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/ | 1 | Please reference the recommended computer specs for any computer the reader plans to use. The lab however already has a computer specifically for research with the vive. |
| Tripod mounts for lighthouse base stations | Amazon or build in-house | https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tripod+for+camera | 2 | Since the base stations have a standard camera mounting hole on the bottom any standard camera tripod should work. You can also use scrap pieces of 2×4 wood to create your own mount for them. |
Specifics on Items already in the lab
In the lab, we already have all the items needed. This section will go into specifics on the items already available to students.
HTC Vive Kit
The kit includes all of the hardware needed to set up the vive with a computer. The contents of the kit are as follows:
| Item Name/Description | Picture | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Vive Head Mounted Display (HMD) | 1 | |
| Lighthouse Base Station | 2 | |
| Base Station Power Source (12V-2.5A) | 2 | |
| Controller | 2 | |
| Outlet to USB charger for controller (5V-1A) | 2 | |
| USB to micro-USB cable (for charging controllers) | 2 | |
| Lightbox | 1 | |
| Lightbox Power Source (12V-1.5A) | 1 | |
| HDMI cable | 1 | |
| USB 3.0 cable | 1 |
Computer
In the lab
Construction
This section gives step-by-step instruction along with photos to set up a space for use with the HTC Vive.
Step 1
Decide where to setup the HTC Vive. Although the recommended distance between the base stations is 5 meters there have been setups with much larger distances between them (reference reddit). Make sure that there is enough headroom for the recommended 2-meter height for the base stations, although this height isn't set in stone and can be even placed on the ground while using the sync cable (reference reddit). When deciding on where to place the setup keep in mind that any reflective surfaces(especially the flooring) within or near the base stations can cause noise.
Step 2
Once a place has been decided upon. Choose how and where within the space to set up the base station lighthouses. The base stations need to be placed on two opposite corners of the specified space. It is up to the reader to decide whether to buy new tripod mounts or to make their own. I chose to make my own and have had no problems with them. Although if I make a ver.2 of them I will make sure they are level and don't wobble around easily, and make the footprint smaller.
Step 3
If a computer isn't already setup in the space, set it up just outside of the tracking space with the monitor facing towards the tracking space so that you will be able to see the monitor while inside the space.
Step 4
If you haven't set the base stations on top of their mounts for your space do so now. Before powering them on tilt the base stations so that they are both facing the center of the space and can “see” each other (each base station has about a 120-degree field of view). Find their power sources and connect them to an outlet. After being powered on you will see a blue light and a letter (A,b, or c) show up on the face of the base station. After 2-3 minutes the light should turn green.