VIVE Wireless Adapter

Overview

The VIVE Wireless Adapter is HTC's official add-on that removes the cable between a VIVE headset and the PC. HTC launched it on September 24, 2018 at $299 in the US, with a $60 compatibility pack for the VIVE Pro. It uses Intel WiGig to send the picture from a PC VR desktop to the headset, and HTC describes the latency as near zero. vive.com now offers it as the Wireless Adapter Full Pack for the Pro and Cosmos series, but the US online store does not currently list it for sale.

Design and battery

The adapter sits on top of the headset in a cradle. It measures 200 x 96.65 x 40.43 mm and weighs 129 g. A separate power bank, held in an included holder, powers it over USB. HTC rates battery life at up to 2.5 hours, depending on the PC setup, power bank and signal strength. The Full Pack includes the adapter, a PCIe WiGig card, a wireless link box with clip, a short headset cable, a 21-watt power bank with holder and cables, and head pads for the Pro and Cosmos series.

Compatibility

HTC lists the VIVE Pro series, which includes the VIVE Pro, VIVE Pro Eye and HTC VIVE Pro 2, and the VIVE Cosmos series. With the VIVE Pro 2 it supports up to 3264 x 1632 resolution at 90 Hz. The VIVE Pro 2 and Cosmos series only work with the 21-watt power bank. Owners of the older adapter package for the original VIVE need the VIVE Pro Wireless Adapter Attachment Kit, with a cradle, head pad and headset cable, to use it on a VIVE Pro or Pro Eye. The adapter works with both VIVE Base Station and SteamVR Base Station 2.0 base station tracking.

PC requirements and setup

You need a desktop PC with a free PCIe x1 slot for the WiGig card, so laptops are not supported. HTC lists an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480, 4 GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 10 or 11. The wireless link box connects to the card, and the HTC launch post gives a range of up to 6 meters from it. HTC warns of compatibility issues with AMD AM4 and TR4 motherboards and advises owners of those boards to wait before buying. Up to three adapters can run in one room-scale space for multiplayer.

Who it is for

The adapter is for VIVE Pro 2, VIVE Pro and Cosmos owners with a desktop PC who want to move around a SteamVR room without a cable. It also suits arcades and shared spaces. Laptop users and owners of AMD AM4 or TR4 boards should look elsewhere.