HTC VIVE User manual

User guide

Contents
Hardware and product care
Unboxing 4
Vive headset 5
Link box 13
Vive controllers 15
Base stations 17
Product care 22
Play area
What is the play area? 24
Planning your play area 24
Choosing the play area 25
Setting up Vive for the first time 26
Verifying your setup 28
Vive experience
Turning the Vive system on 29
Turning the Vive system off 29
System Dashboard 30
Vive tab 30
What is Vive Home? 30
Moving around Vive Home 31
Adding an app shortcut to your Home space 32
Changing your Home space 32
Resetting the Home space 33
Phone notifications
Downloading and installing the Vive phone app 34
Pairing your phone with Vive 34
Choosing which notifications to receive on VR 35
Receiving notifications while in VR 35
Checking your notifications 35
Unpairing your phone with Vive 36
Settings
Vive app settings 37
SteamVR settings 37
System Dashboard settings 38
Trademarks and copyrights
Index
2 Contents

About this guide
In this user guide, we use the following symbols to indicate useful and important information:
This is a note. A note often gives additional information, such as what happens when you
choose to do or not to do a certain action. A note also provides information that may only be
applicable to some situations.
This is a tip. A tip gives you an alternative way to do a particular step or procedure, or lets you
know of an option that you may find helpful.
This indicates important information that you need in order to accomplish a certain task or to
get a feature to work properly.
This provides safety precaution information, that is, information that you need to be careful
about to prevent potential problems.
3 About this guide

Hardware and product care
Unboxing
What's inside the box
Your Vive™comes with the following items, which you'll use to experience immersive VR
environments:
Main component Accessories
Vive headset §3-in-1 cable (attached)
§Audio cable (attached)
§Earbuds
§Face cushions (1 attached and 1 alternate for narrow face)
§Cleaning cloth
Link box §Power adapter
§HDMI cable
§USB cable
§Mounting pad
Vive controllers (2) §Power adapters (2)
§Lanyards (2 attached)
§Micro-USB cables (2)
Base stations (2) §Power adapters (2)
§Mounting kit (2 mounts, 4 screws, and 4 wall anchors)
§Sync cable (optional)
You can also find documentation in the box, such as the Safety and regulatory guide and
warranty card.
4 Hardware and product care

Vive headset
About the Vive headset
The headset is your window to the VR environment.
The headset has sensors that are tracked by the base stations.
The sensors on the headset are sensitive. Do not cover or scratch the sensor lenses, including
the proximity sensor.
Front and side
1Camera lens
2Tracking sensor
3Headset button
4Status light
5Lens distance knob
5 Hardware and product care

Back
1Strap
2Audio cable
33-in-1 cable
4IPD (interpupillary distance) knob
5Face cushion
6Lenses
7Proximity sensor
Bottom
1Microphone
2 Nose rest
3 Lens distance knobs
6 Hardware and product care

Putting the headset on
Before putting the headset on, make sure that you've peeled off the protective film from the
lenses.
1. Pull the headset down over your eyes.
2. Slide the straps around the back of your head, and adjust them so that the headset fits
snugly and comfortably.
3. Make sure that the cables pass through the sleeve at the back of the headset, and are
positioned straight down your back.
Using the IPD knob on the headset
Interpupillary distance (IPD) is the distance between the center of the pupils in your eyes. A quick
way to get an estimate is by facing a mirror and holding a millimeter ruler against your brow. Use
this measurement as a guide to adjust the distance between the lenses of the headset so that
you'll have a better viewing experience.
To change the distance between the lenses, rotate the IPD knob.
As you adjust the IPD, you'll see information displayed in the headset that indicates the current
distance between the centers of the lenses.
7 Hardware and product care

Adjusting the lens distance on the headset
If you wear large prescription glasses or have long eyelashes, you may need to increase the lens
distance further from your face. Only increase this distance as necessary, as the closer the lenses
are to your eyes, the better your field of view will be while wearing the headset.
Make sure that no part of your glasses scratch the headset lenses.
1. Pull out each lens distance knob to unlock it.
2. Rotate both lens distance knobs to adjust the lens further or closer to your face.
3. After you're done adjusting, push each knob to lock it back in.
8 Hardware and product care

Connecting a USB device to the headset
Plug in a USB cable to the headset for using a compatible third-party device with Vive. Vive-
optimized USB cable is sold separately by HTC.
1. Push open the compartment cover to access the connector slots on the headset.
2. Plug in the USB cable to its corresponding slot.
3. Connect the third-party device to the USB cable end.
4. Replace the compartment cover.
9 Hardware and product care

Unplugging the 3-in-1 cable from the headset
1. Push open the compartment cover to access the connector slots on the headset.
2. Carefully pull the tab until the HDMI cable is unplugged.
3. Unplug the power cable and USB cable from the connector.
4. Replace the compartment cover.
10 Hardware and product care

Replacing the face cushion
If the attached face cushion is too wide for you, replace it with the alternate cushion (narrow) that
comes in the box.
You should also remove the face cushion to clean it. For more information, see Cleaning the face
cushion on page 23.
1. To remove the face cushion, peel off starting from both ends of the face cushion until it
detaches from the headset.
2. To replace the face cushion, insert the tab on the face cushion into the slot on the headset,
and then align the hook and loop strips.
11 Hardware and product care

Replacing the nose rest
1. To remove the nose rest, peel off the flaps of the nose rest until it detaches from the
headset.
2. To replace the nose rest, press its tabs into the corresponding slots on the headset. Make
sure that the nose rest is fastened in place and its flaps are behind the face cushion.
Updating headset firmware
1. From your computer, open the SteamVR app.
2. If you see the icon, mouse over it to check if the firmware is out of date. If so, click
Update headset firmware.
The firmware update will start automatically.
Do not unplug any cables from the headset, link box, or your computer any time before the
firmware update is complete. Doing so could result in a firmware error.
3. When the update is complete, click Done.
12 Hardware and product care

Link box
About the link box
Use the link box to connect the headset to your computer.
13-in-1 cable
2Power port
3USB port
4Mini DisplayPort™
Note: Cable is not provided. Use if your computer doesn't have a spare HDMI port or doesn't
support HDMI.
5HDMI port
Connecting the headset to your computer
1. Connect the power adapter cable on its corresponding port on the link box, and then plug
the opposite end into an electrical outlet to turn the link box on.
2. Insert the HDMI cable on the HDMI port on the link box, and then insert the opposite end
on the HDMI port on your computer's graphic card.
3. Insert the USB cable on the USB port on the link box, and then insert the opposite end on
your computer's USB port.
13 Hardware and product care

4. Connect the 3-in-1 headset (HDMI, USB, and power) cables on the side with matching
orange trims on the link box.
5. To secure the link box in a permanent position, peel the covers from the mounting pad and
firmly press one side of the adhesive surface on the bottom part of the link box, and then
attach the link box on the area where you want it installed.
14 Hardware and product care

Vive controllers
About the Vive controllers
Use the controllers to interact with objects in the VR world.
The controllers have sensors that are tracked by the base stations.
The sensors on the controllers are sensitive. Do not cover or scratch the sensor lenses.
1Menu button
2Trackpad
3System button
4Status light
5Micro-USB port
6Tracking sensor
7Trigger
8Grip button
15 Hardware and product care

Charging the controllers
You can check the battery level of the controllers when no apps are running, or when the System
Dashboard is up. When the battery is low, the indicator will show a single red dot .
Charge each controller using the provided power adapters and USB cables.
When the controller is plugged in and fully charged, its status light shows green if the controller
is on or white if the controller is off.
Turning the controllers on or off
§To turn the controller on, press the System button until you hear a beeping sound.
§To turn the controller off, press and hold the System button until you hear a beeping
sound.
When you quit the SteamVR app, the controllers will automatically turn off. The controllers
will also automatically turn off after being idle for a period of time.
Pairing the controllers with the headset
§Once the controllers are turned on for the first time, they will automatically pair with the
headset.
The status light shows as blinking blue while the pairing is in progress. The status light
turns solid green when the controllers are paired with the headset.
§To manually pair the controllers, launch the SteamVR app, tap , and then select
Devices Pair Controller. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Attaching the lanyards to the controllers
Using the lanyards may help prevent the controllers from accidentally being dropped; however,
please do not fling or violently throw the controller because the lanyard may break.
1. While holding the controller, insert the lanyard’s thread from the top to the bottom hole.
2. Loop the lanyard through the thread, and then tug the lanyard to fasten it in place.
3. Place the lanyard on your wrist, and then adjust the lock to tighten the lanyard comfortably
around your wrist.
16 Hardware and product care

Updating controller firmware
1. From your computer, open the SteamVR app.
2. If you see the icon, mouse over it to check if the firmware is out of date. If so, click
Update controller firmware.
3. Using a micro-USB cable, connect the controllers to one of your computer's USB ports
one at time.
Once the controller is detected by the SteamVR app, the firmware update will start
automatically.
Do not unplug the micro-USB cable any time before the firmware update is complete. Doing
so could result in a firmware error.
4. When the update is complete, click Done.
Base stations
About the Vive base stations
§The base stations beam signals to the headset and controllers. Do not cover the front panel
with any material.
§When the base stations are turned on, they may affect some nearby infrared sensors, such as
those used by an IR TV remote control.
1Status light
2Front panel
3Channel indicator (recessed)
4Power port
5Channel button
17 Hardware and product care

6Sync cable port (optional)
7Micro-USB port (for firmware updates)
§Do not attempt to pry open the base stations as doing so could injure you or damage the
product.
§If the front panel is cracked or damaged, stop using the base stations.
Installing the base stations
Before installing the base stations, decide first whether you want to set up a room-scale or
seated/standing-only play area. See Planning your play area on page 24.
During unboxing, remove the thin film that covers the front panel of the base stations.
1. Mount the base stations diagonally at opposite corners of your space.
For details on how to use the provided mounting kit, see Using the mounting kit on page
20.
You can also use tripods, light stands, or cargo poles when mounting the base stations, or
even place it on stable book cases. Just avoid using unstable mounting solutions or
surfaces that are prone to vibration.
2. Adjust the base stations so that the front panels are facing toward the center of the
play area.
3. Attach the power cables to the base stations, and then plug them each into a power outlet
to turn them on.The status lights should be green.
4. Connect the base stations and set the channels.
Without the sync
cable
Press the Channel buttons at the back of the base stations so
that one base station is set to channel “b”, while the other is set
to channel “c”.
With the sync cable
(optional for added
reliability)
Press the Channel buttons at the back of the base stations so
that one base station is set to channel “A”, while the other is set
to channel “b”.
18 Hardware and product care

Once turned on, do not move or adjust the angles of the base stations as it could disrupt the
tracking process. Otherwise, you will need to set up the play area again.
Tips for setting up the base stations
You may set up the base stations in a way that's suitable for your place. For best results,
you may follow these recommendations:
§Mount the base stations diagonally and above head height, ideally more than 2 m (6
ft 6 in).
§Secure the base stations in a location where they can't be easily jostled or moved.
§Each base station has a 120-degree field of view, so it's ideal to adjust its angle
between 30 and 45 degrees to fully cover your play area.
§For optimal tracking, make sure that the maximum distance between the two
base stations is 5 m (16 ft 4 in).
19 Hardware and product care

Using the mounting kit
For best results, install the base stations using the provided mounting kit.
You will need a screwdriver or drill to install the mounts. Ask a professional for help when
using power tools.
1. Mark where you want to install each of the mounts on your wall, and then screw the
mounts in.
When mounting on concrete or drywall, first drill ¼ inch holes and insert anchors before
screwing mounts in.
2. Rotate the base station to screw it onto the threaded ball joint. Do not screw the base
station all the way in, only enough to be stable and oriented correctly.
3. Tighten the wingnut to the base station to secure it in place.
1 2 3
4. To adjust the angle of the base station, loosen the clamping ring while carefully holding
the base station to prevent it from falling.
5. Tilt the base station toward the play area.
Make sure it has an unobstructed view of the other base station. Each base station has a
120-degree field of view. They should be angled down between 30 and 45 degrees.
To fix the angle of the base station, tighten the clamping ring back in.
6. Attach the power cable to each base station.
465
20 Hardware and product care