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— CH. 1 · GENESIS AND COLLABORATION —

HTC Vive

~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
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  • On the 1st of March 2015, HTC officially unveiled its device during a Mobile World Congress keynote. This moment marked the public debut of a partnership between HTC Corporation and Valve Corporation that would define virtual reality for years to come. Prototypes of a Valve-produced system had been demonstrated earlier in 2014, but the official announcement brought the technology into the spotlight. Phil Chen, Chief Content Officer for HTC, described the meeting with Valve as serendipity after he stumbled upon VR himself. The two companies did not establish clear dividing lines regarding their responsibilities. HTC remained deeply involved in the research and development process alongside Valve. Plans for a consumer release were initially set for the end of 2015. Delays pushed the actual launch date forward to April 2016. Preorders began on the 29th of February 2016 before shipments started later that month. Valve also distributed free development models to registered game developers in March 2016.

  • The first-generation HTC Vive headset contained two OLED display panels with a resolution of 1080×1200 per-eye. It operated at a refresh rate of 90 Hz with an 110-degree field of view. On the 8th of January 2018, HTC unveiled the HTC Vive Pro featuring higher-resolution displays now at 1440×1600 resolution per-eye. This represented a 78% increase in resolution compared to the original model. The Pro included a second outward-facing camera and a microphone for noise cancellation analysis. A refreshed design offered lighter weight and a strap with over-ear headphones. In January 2019 at CES, HTC unveiled the Vive Pro Eye which has built-in eye tracking. On the 11th of May 2021, HTC unveiled the Vive Pro 2 upgrading screens to 2448×2448 resolution per-eye. This model carried backwards compatibility with all existing accessories and controllers. The Full Kit version began shipping in October 2021. The Vive Focus line launched internationally in November 2018 as standalone headsets not requiring a computer. The Vive Focus 3 was unveiled in May 2021 using the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 system-on-chip. In September 2024, HTC unveiled the Vive Focus Vision with improved cooling systems and 12 GB of RAM.

  • Multiple external base stations are installed in the play area containing an array of LED lights and two infrared lasers. These lasers attach to rotating spinners that sweep the play area vertically and horizontally with timed pulses. The system is colloquially referred to as lighthouses due to this sweeping motion. Headsets and controllers contain photosensors which detect the LED lights from the base stations. They compare these detections with the timing of laser sweeps to determine relative position in 3D space. The Vive Cosmos uses inside-out tracking where six cameras on the front faceplate track the controllers instead of external base stations. This change meant the device did not use the wand controllers found on other models. Instead it shipped with controllers nearly identical in design to second-generation Oculus Touch controllers. The Vive Ultimate Tracker serves as a peripheral for the Focus 3 and XR Elite using inside-out tracking rather than external base stations. A standard Vive Tracker can be attached to physical accessories or limbs so they can be tracked via the base stations.

  • Most HTC Vive headsets implement the SteamVR platform supporting all games and software using it. Valve released its OpenVR software development kit providing documentation and examples for building software. SteamVR launched with native support for Unity on its platform. On the 30th of April 2015, Epic Games announced support for Valve's technology allowing developers to create VR projects with Unreal Engine 4. HTC operates its own first-party storefront known as Viveport including a subscription-based service with unlimited access to participating games. Curated storefronts target commercial clients such as entertainment centers and workplaces. In 2022, HTC unveiled a platform known as Viverse designed to integrate metaverse and Web3 platforms. The Cosmos uses a software platform known as Vive Reality System rather than SteamVR. It features the Lens user interface and integration with HTC's Viveport platform. The Vive Flow supports an Android smartphone as a pointer and touchpad rather than a dedicated controller. Users can mirror apps from the paired smartphone in the VR environment.

  • In June 2016, HTC announced the release of their Business Edition of the Vive for US$1,200. This version included a Professional Use License and a 12-month Commercial Warranty. Access to an exclusive support line came standard along with a five-meter cable extension kit. Since 2021, HTC has targeted the Vive line towards business and enterprise markets moving away from consumer markets. Vive General Manager Dan O'Brien stated that the consumer market had gravitated toward artificially subsidized price points. He noted that only one company in the world had any tolerance for those prices. O'Brien described the enterprise and professional market as very healthy and rapidly growing where they could bring real value. The Vive Focus 3 was developed with input from its enterprise customers. In September 2024, HTC unveiled the Vive Focus Vision partially backpedaling on this trend by marketing changes appealing to gaming. Sales figures showed that by November 2016, HTC sold the Vive at a profit with units much higher than 140,000.

  • The Vive Tracker was sold as a standalone product initially and later bundled with accessories like the Hyper Blaster light gun controller. As of 2021 there have been three separate iterations of the Vive tracker which fine-tuned battery life and tracking performance. In June 2017, HTC released the Deluxe Audio Strap replacing the original head strap with integrated over-ear speakers. The Vive Wireless Adapter launched in September 2018 allowing wireless operation using V band WiGig technology. A third-party wireless kit known as TPCast was unveiled in November 2016 through the Vive X accelerator program. In March 2021, HTC announced the Vive Facial Tracker containing infrared-illuminated cameras for facial motion capture. This functionality works in social worlds combined with eye tracking systems on supported models. The aGlass lenses are alternate eyepieces developed by 7invensun adding eye tracking support to the headset. Road to VR estimated approximately 100,000 Vive headsets had been shipped since launch in July 2016. SensoMotoric Instruments integrated its eye tracking technology into the HTC Vive for research applications in the same month.

Common questions

When did HTC officially unveil the Vive headset?

HTC officially unveiled the Vive headset on the 1st of March 2015 during a Mobile World Congress keynote. This event marked the public debut of a partnership between HTC Corporation and Valve Corporation that would define virtual reality for years to come.

What are the display specifications of the first-generation HTC Vive headset?

The first-generation HTC Vive headset contained two OLED display panels with a resolution of 1080×1200 per-eye. It operated at a refresh rate of 90 Hz with an 110-degree field of view.

How does the HTC Vive tracking system work using base stations?

Multiple external base stations installed in the play area contain an array of LED lights and two infrared lasers that sweep vertically and horizontally. Headsets and controllers contain photosensors which detect these LED lights to determine relative position in 3D space by comparing detections with laser timing.

Which software platforms support most HTC Vive headsets?

Most HTC Vive headsets implement the SteamVR platform supporting all games and software using it. The Cosmos uses a software platform known as Vive Reality System rather than SteamVR, featuring the Lens user interface and integration with HTC's Viveport platform.

When did HTC shift its focus from consumer markets to enterprise markets?

Since 2021, HTC has targeted the Vive line towards business and enterprise markets moving away from consumer markets. Vive General Manager Dan O'Brien stated that the consumer market had gravitated toward artificially subsidized price points while the enterprise market remained healthy and rapidly growing.

See all questions about HTC Vive →

All sources

81 references cited across the entry

  1. 1webValve is making a VR headset and its own Steam Machine24 February 2015
  2. 2webValve showing off new virtual reality hardware and updated Steam controller next week23 February 2015
  3. 3webValve's VR headset revealed with Oculus-like features3 June 2014
  4. 4webValve's VR headset is called the Vive and it's made by HTCMarch 2015
  5. 5av mediaMTBS-TV: Conversing With Phil Chen, Chief Content Officer, HTCNeil Schneider — 8 October 2015
  6. 6av mediaMTBS-TV: Conversing With Phil Chen, Chief Content Officer, HTCNeil Schneider — 8 October 2015
  7. 7webThis is Valve's VR headset, the HTC ViveVlad Savov — 2015-03-02
  8. 8webHTC officially delays Vive virtual reality system launch to April 2016Sam Machkovech — 2015-12-08
  9. 9webHTC Vive Pre impressions: A great VR system has only gotten better28 January 2016
  10. 10webHTC Vive VR headset delayed until AprilAdi Robertson — 2015-12-08
  11. 11webHTC Vive pre-orders to start on February 2911 January 2016
  12. 12webValve, HTC Offering Free Vive VR to Developers30 March 2015
  13. 13webHTC Announces Vive 'Business Edition' for $1200Scott Hayden — 9 June 2016
  14. 14webVIVE Business Edition and Commercial VR
  15. 15webA closer look at HTC's new higher-resolution Vive ProTom Warren — 9 January 2018
  16. 16newsHTC's Vive Pro will add more pixels to an otherwise familiar-looking VR system Updated
  17. 17webHTC unveils new Vive Cosmos VR lineup with swappable faceplatesSam Byford — 20 February 2020
  18. 18webHTC's new Vive Cosmos VR headset arrives on October 3rd for $699Tom Warren — 12 September 2019
  19. 19webAsk Ars: I can't choose between Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR!Lee Hutchinson — 22 March 2016
  20. 20webVIVE™ | Discover Virtual Reality Beyond Imagination
  21. 21webAdvanced VR Rendering, Alex Vlachos, Valve
  22. 22webSteamVR is coming to Mac—and Apple says it will actually workSam Machkovech — 5 June 2017
  23. 23webHTC's Deluxe Audio Strap is a huge improvement over the Vive's elastic strapsWes Fenlon — 1 March 2017
  24. 24newsThis Is How Valve's Amazing Lighthouse Tracking Technology WorksSean Buckley
  25. 25newsLatest HTC Vives Are Shipping with Tweaked Base Stations, Redesigned PackagingBen Lang — 13 April 2017
  26. 26webValve and HTC reveal Vive VR headset
  27. 27webVIVE™ VIVE Virtual Reality System
  28. 28webHTC: Why Vive Will Beat Oculus VR at Its Own Game17 July 2015
  29. 29webHTC Vive Pro tips: How to set up the Vive Pro and tackle issuesPocket-lint — 17 October 2019
  30. 30webValve launches SteamVR support for Linux22 February 2017
  31. 31webSteamVR Drops Support For macOSMay 2020
  32. 32webHTC Vive VR review: great ideas, unfinished executionAdi Robertson — 5 April 2016
  33. 33webVive Pro Bundle With 2.0 Base Stations & Controllers Now Available at $1400Scott Hayden — 2018-04-23
  34. 34webHTC's Viveport store is launching an unlimited VR app subscriptionJacob Kastrenakes — 4 January 2017
  35. 35webHalf-Life: Alyx is Valve's VR-exclusive, full-length prequel to Half-Life 2Michael McWhertor — 21 November 2019
  36. 36webHTC pivots from blockchain to the metaverse for its next smartphone gimmickChaim Gartenberg — 2022-03-03
  37. 37webHTC Vive unveils VR metaverse – including Web3 and NFT content – plus online safety program at MWCSteve Takle — 2022-02-28
  38. 38webHTC Vive Pro review: Eye-popping VR, with a price that's a little too realKyle Orland — 2018-04-03
  39. 39news$1,099 Vive Pro Starter Kit has everything you need for VR but the PC
  40. 41newsValve announces the first big SteamVR 2.0 feature: waaay more space
  41. 42webHTC announces new Vive Pro Eye virtual reality headset with native eye trackingNick Statt — 7 January 2019
  42. 43webHTC unveils new Vive Pro 2 with 5K resolution display and 120Hz refresh rateJames Vincent — 11 May 2021
  43. 44webHTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit Ships In October For $1,399Jamie Feltham — 13 September 2021
  44. 45webHTC's China-exclusive Vive Focus VR headset is now launching worldwideAdi Robertson — 8 November 2018
  45. 46webHTC announces new VIVE Focus with two updated motion controllersJon Porter — 21 February 2019
  46. 47webHTC's self-contained $1,300 Vive Focus 3 headset has a 5K screen and ships June 27thAdi Robertson — 11 May 2021
  47. 48webHTC announces the Vive Focus Vision with color passthrough and an eye on gamingWes Davis — 2024-09-18
  48. 49webHTC announces a PC-powered VR headset called the Vive CosmosAdi Robertson — 7 January 2019
  49. 50webVive Cosmos review: not out of this worldAdi Robertson — 2019-10-10
  50. 51webHTC debuts Vive Cosmos Elite, Play, and XR models, plus new faceplates20 February 2020
  51. 52webThe $499 HTC Vive Flow is VR for people who don't like VRAdi Robertson — 2021-10-14
  52. 53webHTC's Standalone Vive XR Elite, Hands-On: An Evolution for Virtual RealityScott Stein
  53. 54webHTC's new VR / AR headset is the $1,099 Vive XR EliteAdi Robertson — 2023-01-05
  54. 55newsHTC launches Vive tracker bundles
  55. 56newsEverything you need to know about the Vive Tracker
  56. 57newsHTC's Vive Tracker adds much-needed tactile control to VR
  57. 58webHTC's Vive Ultimate Trackers are a sleeker way to keep tabs on your VR limbs and other objectsJon Porter — 2023-11-29
  58. 59newsHTC's Vive Deluxe Audio Strap is coming in June for $99.99
  59. 60webHTC's Deluxe Audio Strap is a better headphone solution for the ViveSam Byford — 4 January 2017
  60. 61webHTC Vive Tracker lets you take real objects into the VR worldRoger Cheng
  61. 62newsWirelss Adapter on Vive Webpage
  62. 63webVive Wireless Adapter now availableBen Lang — 24 September 2018
  63. 64webHTC announces Vive adapter for wireless VRTom Warren — 8 January 2018
  64. 65newsHands-on: TPCAST's Wireless Vive Kit Really Works19 December 2016
  65. 66newsHTC's wireless Vive add-on actually worksSam Byford
  66. 67webHTC announces Vive Pro lip tracking module and new VR body trackersAdi Robertson — 10 March 2021
  67. 68webThe HTC Vive will track eye movement with a $220 upgrade kitAdi Robertson — 1 May 2017
  68. 69webValve launches OpenVR dev kit for virtual reality hardware makersDean Takahashi — VentureBeat — 30 April 2015
  69. 70webValve launches new OpenVR SDK to expand SteamVR developmentAlex Wawro — UBM plc — 30 April 2015
  70. 71webValve Launches OpenVR SDKJamie Feltham — VRFocus — 1 May 2015
  71. 72webValve Is Bringing Native Unity Support To SteamVR10 February 2016
  72. 73webNow anyone can build for SteamVR with Epic's Unreal Engine 4Charlie Hall — Vox Media — 30 April 2015
  73. 74webSteam's virtual reality just got a boost from the maker of Unreal TournamentJacob Kastrenakes et al. — Vox Media — 30 April 2015
  74. 75webUnreal Engine 4 Releases With SteamVR SupportDana Cowley — Epic Games — 30 April 2015
  75. 76webEpic's Unreal Engine 4 Will Support Valve's SteamVRKevin Parrish — Purch — 30 April 2015
  76. 77webHTC Vive-enabled Unreal Engine 4.8 Coming next Week, Devs Can Start Work with Rift DK2Ben Lang — 30 April 2015
  77. 78newsHTC Vive Headset Nearing 100,000 Install Base, Steam Data SuggestsBen Lang — 4 July 2016
  78. 79webSMI Releases Eye Tracking Developer Kit For The HTC ViveJoe Durbin — UploadVR — 22 July 2016
  79. 80webSMI Reveals Eye Tracking Developer Kit for HTC VivePeter Graham — VRFocus — 22 July 2016
  80. 81newsHTC Vive's virtual reality headset is opening stores in AustraliaAriel Bogle — Mashable — 4 November 2016
  81. 82webHTC Confirms Each Vive is Sold at Profit, "Much More" Than 140,000 Units in SalesBen Lang — 23 November 2016