Underneath improvement: To this point, Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 is doing effectively. Whereas it didn’t meet the corporate’s preliminary expectations, gross sales are nonetheless first rate sufficient that the younger platform is on observe to change into the fastest-selling VR headset in historical past. Now if solely I might use it with my PC.
The hunt to make the PlayStation VR 2 suitable with PC started simply days after it launched on February 22. Virtually instantly, a modder who goes by iVRy on Twitter began the painstaking and time-consuming effort to reverse-engineer the $550 piece of {hardware}. To this point, it is going fairly effectively, and far has been discovered, however he admits there’s nonetheless an extended option to go.
One factor iVRy found is that the PS VR2 works in cinema mode proper out of the field on some older PCs, notably ones with the now-defunct VirtualLink port just like the RTX 20×0 sequence. It additionally reportedly works with AMD 6800/6900 GPUs with “VR” USB-C ports.
PSVR2 is understood to work (in “cinema” mode) on nVidia 20×0 GPUs with VirtualLink ports, AMD 6800/6900 GPUs with “VR” USB-C ports, or with the BizLink adapter (as resold by Varjo & XTAL). To check in case your GPU (w/USB-C) helps PSVR2, plug it in and see.https://t.co/D6jTwBirP4 pic.twitter.com/sna1HMODZ4
– iVRy (@iVRy_VR) March 13, 2023
Crucial factor to know is that the USB-C port on the PlayStation 5 provides 12V energy supply, DisplayPort alt mode, and USB-C 3.0 connectivity. VirtualLink ports are the one option to meet this requirement with out an adapter. Newer PCs would possibly get away with utilizing one thing like BizLink’s VirtualLink Interface Adapter, however it hasn’t been completely examined on the PS VR2 and prices about $350.
Take into account that regardless of the way it’s related, it solely works in cinema mode. In truth, Home windows merely acknowledges it as an exterior 1080p monitor. YouTuber Tyriel Wooden notes that it is like having a 200-inch monitor sitting three ft away (under). You possibly can play flat video games with it, however it’s not the identical 3D expertise you’ll need from a VR headset.
That mentioned, there are some promising discoveries. Even in cinema mode, 3DoF (three levels of freedom) appears intact. Which means the headset actively tracks head motion in three instructions with out modification, translating to much less coding work when growing a driver.
Moreover, iVRy obtained a profitable one-way authentication from the headset to the PC. Determining what the headset wants from the pc to finish the handshake took rather more noodling, however after a number of weeks, he obtained two-way authentication figured. So now the headset “trusts” the PC, however it nonetheless refuses to change into VR mode.
A PC driver is possible, in iVRy’s opinion. He developed one for the unique PSVR, however he says it is too early to ensure something for the PS VR2. He has analyzed the {hardware} for the final 71 days utilizing three separate headsets, two PS5s, a homebrewed “sniffer board,” and specialised software program on his PC, however there’s nonetheless a lot reverse engineering forward.
Sadly, attributable to petty Twitter trolling, iVRy decided to take improvement “underground.” We are able to solely assume this implies he is going radio silent. In that case, we’d not hear a lot concerning the challenge till iVRy decides to pop his head out once more. Within the meantime, in case your outdated PSVR has been sitting within the closet accumulating mud since shopping for your PS5, why not put it to good use by enjoying some SteamVR with it? You possibly can seize the iVRy driver without cost and get began on Half-Life: Alyx proper now.