It is proving to be a busy International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 for virtual reality (VR), particularly when it comes to wireless, standalone or ‘untethered’ VR. Yesterday there was numerous announcements relating to a wire-free future for VR, including the reveal by HTC Vive of the new HTC Vive Wireless Adapter, an official solution for HTC’s existing head mounted display (HMD). Ziaomi and Oculus revealed a Chinese doppelganger of the Facebook-owned company’s Oculus Go in the Mi VR Standalone headset, whilst TPCAST revealed that their own wireless solutions would be getting an upgrade in the first half of 2018 with the TPCAST Plus Adapter.
A day later on from the above and the we’re back with the latter for yet another announcement about wireless support, as TPCAST announces support for Windows Mixed Reality HMDs thanks to the Universal Wireless VR Module.
The Beijing based company has, despite a number of customer’s reported problems in ordering, already got products at various stages for both the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift. Now however, TPCAST is expanding its support with the addition of Windows Mixed Reality as it continues with its goal of providing wireless support for all manufacturers of VR HMDs. In the case of the multiple manufacturers of the Windows Mixed Reality line of headsets (which includes the likes of Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Gear VR manufacturer Samsung) TPCAST will be creating what it says will be a reference design for the VR module which it hopes will facilitate faster development and adoption. In turn increasing TPCAST’s influence in the wireless VR market.
It was recently revealed that despite a relatively short period since launch, Windows Mixed Reality headsets had begun to leave their mark on the statistics for Steam VR use and TPCAST are sure to hope such an adoption rate continues.
Creating such a reference model requires meeting a number of technical hurdles and goals, as TPCAST explained:
“This cutting-edge wireless VR solution requires low latency transmission for 3K/4K high definition video in a speed of 90 frames per second. Additionally, Windows MR inside-out tracking, which sends video tracking data from the HMD to the PC, demands a high bit-rate wireless data transmission. The key technical hinder in designing a Windows MR wireless adapter is that a single wireless channel cannot simultaneously support both the high-definition video and the tracking data.”
“TPCAST’s solution for Windows MR leverages 60GHz high speed channels and delivers the highest data bandwidth in the VR industry. Thus, the reference design will deliver ultra-low latency, and the best video quality. TPCAST’s platform is one simple plug-and-play, router-free, easy installation solution that supports both PC desktops and gaming laptops. The TPCAST wireless module does not require opening the desktop chassis, which significantly simplifies the installation process. The addition of the external RF antenna assures the module’s excellent wireless signal and transmission.”
“We are delighted that TPCAST introduces this powerful platform design in the field of Wireless VR.” Confirmed TPCAST’s CEO and founder Michael Liu, in a statement. “This platform possesses high video quality and low latency performance like the other TPCAST products, and will support the current Windows MR and other 3K/4K resolution HMDs.” “We are committed to the VR/AR market, and have developed wireless VR core technology to enable us to deliver a solid wireless VR solution to a Windows MR HMD.”
VRFocus will have more news from CES 2018 and from elsewhere around the immersive technology industry very soon.