Area 49

The Valve Index Virtual Reality stations are self-contained stations, and content in the headset can be projected to the LCD screen of that station.

To begin:

• Turn on the following components:
  • Turn on the Alienware PC at the station, if it not already on, using the alien head button. It should automatically log in, but if it doesn't ask someone at the Area 49 Desk to log in for you. It should come up as the "Area 49 Customer" user.
  • Turn on the curved display monitor using the button at the bottom right of the monitor.
  • Turn on the LCD screen using the tv remote. You may need to change the input to "PC."
• Navigate to the section of this guide that you need.

Note: This page is currently under construction as we transition from our HTC Vive to our new Valve Index headset. Once this page is fully updated, this message will be removed.

Setting up the headset

1. Open Steam on the computer. If you would like to use the Area 49 Steam account, and it is not logged in, an Area 49 Desk worker can log you in. (You will not be given the login information.)
2. Once the app opens, all components should show as connected in a small, dark grey pop-up on the desktop. 
3. If the headset does not turn on automatically, press the button on the bottom of the headset.
4. You are now ready to open Steam applications and use the VR headset.
5. If you would like to show the headset content on the LCD screen, simply drag the screen that is on the desktop in the direction of the LCD screen and fit it to the LCD screen.
   • Note: Press Alt + Enter to exit fullscreen.
6. Once you are finished:
   1. Hang up headset.
   2. Rest the controllers in the magnetic charging dock.
   3. Close Steam. You do not need to log out of Steam if you have used the Area 49 account. (The computer can also stay logged in.)

The hardware:

Headset

• Put the headset on eyes-first, then pull down the head strap.
• Use the knob on the back of the strap to adjust the headset.

Controllers

• Selecting: Point the controller to the object and move toward the item.
• Trigger: Used to pick up items
• Boundaries: A virtual grid inside the headset indicates the physical boundaries of your play space. Use the controller to move or back away from the grid.
• Moving: Hold the joystick and move the controller until the pointer turns green. Let go of the button when you have placed the pointer at your desired spot.

Option 1: 

Virtual Desktop for VR YouTube

• Open Virtual Desktop in Steam. Navigate to the Video section. Get the URL from YouTube. Download paste the link in Virtual Desktop. This might not work, but this step may need to happen for the next step to work or you might need to give the system time to sit with the video after it says that it’s downloaded to get ready to play it. It’s unclear as to what happens.

• If the video does not play from the first step, use the search box at the top right to search for video. It may start playing the video automatically and minimize virtual desktop.

• You may be able to use the controllers in the headset to play the video. If not, play the video from the computer and then get into the headset.

Option 2: 

To play a 360° video file in the VR headset, the video will need to be saved to the H: drive (which will display as your username) of the Alienware computer or on a flash drive plugged into the computer. Videos can not be streamed from online sources. Follow these steps to access your 360° video:

• Open Steam using the desktop shortcut. If you are not automatically logged into the Atkins Steam account, see the Area 49 Desk. 
• Click Library in the top menu >  Software > DeoVR Video Player > Launch in VR. 
• Put the headset on. 
• If you see tiles for videos to watch, click the Folder icon at the bottom of the viewable area.
• On the left, select Local, H: drive (or C: drive if using a flash drive), then navigate to your file. Click on your file to open it.
• If your video does not open in 360°, pull the trigger on the controller to pull up the video menu. You will see options for a flat display and 180° or 360° views. Click 360°.

Notes:

• Although this program can access YouTube, it does not appear to have 360° playback functionality. You may still view a 360° video in the flat player, but it may not allow you to move the view around, such as might happen with a mouse on a desktop version of the video. For best results, view only downloaded videos that come from your H: drive.
• If you are unable to see your controller, and it appears that your headset is controlling the cursor, press the menu button on your controller (below the A and B buttons). This should switch selection to the controller.

• Follow Vive instructions on LibGuide (Open Steam > click Vive Console or Vive Wireless > ensure headset turns on)
• Open Minecraft Launcher
• Select “Installations” at the top.
• Vivecraft should be an option. Click “Play.”
• Vivecraft should open on headset and in a window on the PC.

If you are having difficulties with technology in the room, refer to the solutions below. If you are not comfortable performing these actions, or if you require additional assistance, reach out to the Area 49 Desk or Beth Caruso (rm. 227). For support after hours, contact the AISLE Team at 704-687-5500, option 3. Tell them that you are in the Area 49 Visualization Lab.

Good to know::

• If it appears that Steam does not come up, click the small arrow at the bottom right corner of the screen and click the Steam icon, then "Library." This should bring up the Steam window.
• Choose a game from the VR section. If you cannot find it there, click "Library" and check the other types of programs. Not all download into the same area.
• If the headset or controllers aren't tracking, place them in the play area.
• Always make sure the headset cord is behind you.
• The screen will automatically display a cinema view of the player’s game. To change this to a 2-lens view, make sure “Display Mirror” is on in the Steam program.

Visuals:

• If the visuals in the headset are choppy, in Steam, go to Settings > Video > Render Resolution > Choose “Auto”

Computer Monitor and LCD Wall Mounted Displays Reversed

If you cannot move your mouse from one display to the next, it is likely that the displays have been reversed. Follow these steps to correct it.

• Right click on the desktop and select “Display Settings.”
• Under “Display,” you will see two rectangles that represent the screen displays.
• Drag the rectangles so they match the display you want and click “Apply.”
• Make sure to align the rectangles at the bottom, not the top, so your mouse can move smoothly from one screen to the next.
• If this doesn’t work, ask for additional assistance.

Audio (not yet current)

If no sound comes through the speakers or the headset's headphones, try these options:

On the computer:

• Go to the bottom right and click on the speaker. Change the audio settings to “Speakers/Headphones (Realtek Audio)” or to “Speakers (VIVE Cosmos Multimedia Audio).”

On Steam

• Go to “Settings.” If given the option, choose the wired or wireless setup (whichever you are using).

If that didn't work, try this:

• Find the small Steam window that shows the status of the headset. Click the top bar that says "Steam VR."
• In the Dropdown menu, select "Settings."
• Choose "Audio."
• In the panel on the right, choose the following:
  • When SteamVR is active:
    • Set playback device to: Do not change device
    • Set Record device to: Do not change device
    • Mirror audio to device: HTC-VIVE (2-NVIDIA High Definition Audio)
  • When SteamVR is exited:
    • Set Playback device to: Speakers / Headphones (Realetk Audio)
    • Set Record device to: Do not change device
    • Enable Gain reduction on VIVE HDMI Audio: Check the box
• If neither step worked, ask for additional assistance.

Headset Difficulties (not yet ready)

If the VR headset cannot be found

• Right click on the desktop and select "Task Manager."
• Click the “Processes” tab.
• Close anything that has a Steam or VR symbol.
• Reload Steam.
• If this doesn’t work, ask for additional assistance.

If VR headset light is red

• Restart the computer
• Open Steam again and load a game
• The game will show on the screen, but you will only see white through the headset
• Click the small Steam pop-up and a dropdown menu should appear
• Under “Devices,” choose “Reboot headset”
• Once the headset is rebooted, then the light should turn green.
• If this doesn’t work, ask for additional assistance.