Getting back into things - HP Reverb G2 Not Working

[PatrickAWlson]

So, after a long hiatus and a new computer I tried using my VR headset (HP Reverb G2). 

 

Edit: OK, so I found the proper power cable and got one thing sorted.  Now it sems that Windows no longer supports WMR.  Any ideas?

Edited December 19, 2024 by PatrickAWlson

[dryheat94]

G2 support in Windows was discontinued and removed from Windows 11. I'm not sure about the situation with Windows 10, someone with a G2 will be able to tell you I'm sure.

 

Found this: "Microsoft has stated that existing mixed reality devices can still be used until November 2026 (e.g., via SteamVR), but only if the Windows 11 24H2 update isn’t installed. Alternatively, Windows Mixed Reality is still available on Windows 10."

 

Article for Reference

Edited December 19, 2024 by dryheat94

[PatrickAWlson]

3 hours ago, dryheat94 said:

G2 support in Windows was discontinued and removed from Windows 11. I'm not sure about the situation with Windows 10, someone with a G2 will be able to tell you I'm sure.

 

Found this: "Microsoft has stated that existing mixed reality devices can still be used until November 2026 (e.g., via SteamVR), but only if the Windows 11 24H2 update isn’t installed. Alternatively, Windows Mixed Reality is still available on Windows 10."

 

Article for Reference

@dryheat94 That's what I thought I was reading.  It just shocked the hell out of me that they would pull the rug like that.  So, basically, the VR headset is a paperweight.

 

Thanks for the response

Follow on question: what are other VR users doing other than not updating their OS?

[Charlo-VR]

14 minutes ago, PatrickAWlson said:

Follow on question: what are other VR users doing other than not updating their OS?

 

In my case I sold my G2 to a friend who doesn't intend to upgrade his Windows 10 machine and wanted to experience VR for now.

 

I replaced my G2 with a Pimax Crystal, which I also sold when I found I prefer the Crystal Light. IL-2 GB is the only game I play and eye tracking isn't supported in it, and I almost exclusively fly MP, so the Crystal Light is perfect for me. 

 

I think others find the Meta Quest 3 quite good, especially if flying single player, since spotting at a distance in MP is crucial.

[PatrickAWlson]

I have been out of the market for years so I have not kept up.  Meta Quest 3 seems to get good grades.  Is the 128 GB version good enough?

[unlikely_spider]

1 minute ago, PatrickAWlson said:

I have been out of the market for years so I have not kept up.  Meta Quest 3 seems to get good grades.  Is the 128 GB version good enough?

If you're not going to use it for standalone games, then yes (and even then, probably). The on-board storage does not affect how well anything works when using the link cable.

[dryheat94]

2 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

@dryheat94 That's what I thought I was reading.  It just shocked the hell out of me that they would pull the rug like that.  So, basically, the VR headset is a paperweight.

 

Thanks for the response

Follow on question: what are other VR users doing other than not updating their OS?

 

Quest 3 wireless using Virtual Desktop and 6E router. Mine is 256GB, but 128GB would be fine unless you buy games from the Meta store. Quest 3 pancake lenses are fantastic, especially if you're used to the small sweet spot of the G2.

[Aapje]

15 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

I have been out of the market for years so I have not kept up.  Meta Quest 3 seems to get good grades.  Is the 128 GB version good enough?

 

The only difference between the 128 GB and 512 GB is the storage, which is irrelevant for flight simming.

 

Note that the 128 GB version is no longer sold new, but you can get it 2nd hand, of course.

[PatrickAWlson]

2 hours ago, Aapje said:

 

The only difference between the 128 GB and 512 GB is the storage, which is irrelevant for flight simming.

 

Note that the 128 GB version is no longer sold new, but you can get it 2nd hand, of course.

 

Thanks for  the feedback.  I still see it on Amazon and even the Quest web site for $300.  Might have to get it while it's still available.

 

Edit: It is the 128GB Quest 3S that I am seeing.  The 3S has significantly worse resolution than the 3.  A 256 GB Quest 3 can be had for $400.  I'll pay the extra $100 for the improved resolution

Taken form a review:
The Meta Quest 3S uses the same chipset and has the same RAM as the Meta Quest 3, meaning it can play all the same VR games and apps as its sibling. But its most noticeable downgrade is its displays. Instead of the crisp 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye dual-display setup of the Quest 3 you have to make do with the Quest 2’s 1832 x 1920 per eye single display setup, which the Quest 3S is repurposing.

Edited December 20, 2024 by PatrickAWlson

[Aapje]

@PatrickAWlson

 

The 3S is an improvement over the Quest 2 for standalone gaming, due to the better APU in the 3S. Standalone games on the quest 2 were not able to max out the capabilities of that screen+lens combination, due to the weak APU.

 

But when the computer drives the headset, the APU doesn't matter, and the 3S will very much be limited by its poor lenses. So you indeed want the Quest 3, not the 3S, for flight simming.

 

PS. Note that resolution is only half the story. The lenses are a crucial part of the visual quality and the Quest 3 lenses are among the best.

Edited December 21, 2024 by Aapje

[PatrickAWlson]

Well, the 256 GB "Quest 3" that I found for $400 actually turned out to be a 3S.  So I went from $300 to $400 and finally ended up dropping $500 on an actual Quest 3.  Thank you MS for killing WMR.

[dgiatr]

2 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

Thank you MS for killing WMR.

Why not staying with win 10 till 2026? I play in win 10 with hp g2 and everything works fine in il2 gb. By the year of 2026 there will be probably other headset solutions or it will appear how Pimax goes about their issues...

My PC is dedicated to il2 gb though.

[PatrickAWlson]

10 minutes ago, dgiatr said:

Why not staying with win 10 till 2026? I play in win 10 with hp g2 and everything works fine in il2 gb. By the year of 2026 there will be probably other headset solutions or it will appear how Pimax goes about their issues...

My PC is dedicated to il2 gb though.

 

I just got a new PC.  I am not messing with the OS for this.  Just don't want to do it.

[dryheat94]

3 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

Well, the 256 GB "Quest 3" that I found for $400 actually turned out to be a 3S.  So I went from $300 to $400 and finally ended up dropping $500 on an actual Quest 3.  Thank you MS for killing WMR.

 

You won't regret it. The lenses will blow you away. No more searching for a sweet spot.

[dgiatr]

2 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

 

I just got a new PC.  I am not messing with the OS for this.  Just don't want to do it.

I also own a Quest Q2 headset and compared to G2 the image isn't as clear as in G2 in the sweet spot area which is quite small for G2 to be honest. As far as Q3 I cannot tell , probably it's better to Q2?

It will be interesting to tell us your opinion since you will have both.

[Aapje]

@dgiatr

 

The Quest 3 has much better clarity than the 2, primarily due to the much better (and much more expensive) lenses.

[354thFG_Drewm3i-VR]

@PatrickAWlson

 

You will like the Quest 3. It is better than the G2 but will need a new head strap.

 

Check out this startup guide:

 

[[CPT]Crunch]

And the quest sets will wait an eternity and still never get any PC leaning optimizations in their software package, Meta has zero interest in it's PC users.  

[354thFG_Drewm3i-VR]

On 1/3/2025 at 11:09 PM, [CPT]Crunch said:

And the quest sets will wait an eternity and still never get any PC leaning optimizations in their software package, Meta has zero interest in it's PC users.  

Kinda true, kinda false. I find my Quest works great with the Kiwi link cable and the settings in the video. Is it perfect?--no, but what headset is?

 

For the cost and ease of use, it's a good headset. Pimax is even worse than Meta.

[[CPT]Crunch]

We'll see with Korea if they adopt the new standard direct connect via the openXR platform.  Don't see why they wouldn't, be crazy not to.  Will meta have a backup plan or does it already support PCVR openXR standards?  Somehow doubting it.  No one is going to update the old ways of connecting via multiple layers, no one using PCVR in their right mind wants that anyway, it's already too inefficient and outdated.  Refer to exibit A, Windows Mixed Reality closely followed by the SteamVR render pipeline, both currently residing on death row.

[Panzerlang]

That's why I have no plans to reinstall IL2. I don't want any Steam crap on my new lean and clean, OS-reinstalled gaming machine. Lol.

If Korea doesn't natively incorporate OpenXR, DFR and Quadviews, I won't be buying it.

Edited January 8 by Panzerlang

[Aapje]

I'm running IL-2 without Steam...

 

But getting this working correctly and making sure that it stays working, should be much easier if the new engine supports OpenXR natively.

[Aapje]

7 hours ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

Will meta have a backup plan or does it already support PCVR openXR standards?

 

They do. The issue is that the games need to support OpenXR natively. There are plenty of OpenXR runtimes, including for the Quest.