HTC has unveiled the refresh of their originally released HTC Vive released 2 years ago with a Pro model, known as HTC Vive Pro.
HTC has listened to the community and has tremendously upgraded the headset’s resolution and the headstrap with premium headphones. Dual front-facing cameras and dual microphones have also been added to be used by developers. The design is complely revamped.
Here are the new features announced by them, in detail along with other specifications.
3K Resolution Display
The HTC Vive Pro features a 3K Resolution Display, which is a 78% increase in pixels from the original display. This is a tremendous boost to display quality, and also puts the HTC Vive Pro above the Windows Mixed Reality & Oculus Rift VR Headsets.
The HTC Vive has a 2160×1200 (1080×1200 per eye) 90Hz Display, and the HTC Vive Pro will have a resolution of 2880×1600 (1400×1600 per eye) with 615 PPI. The refresh rate is still 90Hz, and so is the Field Of View (FOV) which is 145 Diagonal Degrees (or 100 horizontal & 110 vertical degrees).
Built In Headphones
One of the main complains by customers on the HTC Vive was the need to buy a deluxe audio strap or use their headphones with the HTC Vive, which gave them another cable potentially ruining their VR Experience.
HTC has addressed this in the HTC Vive Pro and it features premium quality, comfortable, high-res on the headstrap headphones with a powerful digital amplifier and 3D Spartial Sound.
Dual Front-Facing Cameras & Microphones
There will be two front-facing cameras on the HTC Vive, which HTC is not certain about what will it be used for, but it could potentially be used for depth-sensing and AR plus VR combined.
Developers will now get access to two cameras and it opens new possibilities for a better Virtual Reality experience.
Price & Release Date
HTC will be releasing this headset in 2018, but they have not yet released pricing details and the exact release date. Updates will be be posted right here.
Here’s a Hands On video on the HTC Vive Pro by Tom Warren, Senior Editor at THE VERGE.