Valve index

Valve's 2nd VR headset.

Documentation

official linux docs

https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamVR-for-Linux/blob/master/README.md

Locations

~/.local/share/Steam/logs/*

logs (notably vrcompositor)

Tutorials

valve index on archlinux gist	https://gist.github.com/WebFreak001/f8d5852c795e3b5b1fddfc1911e6babb
arch wiki	https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Virtual_reality#OpenVR_/_SteamVR

Install

Windows

* Locate and install steamVR in store.
* done.

Linux

NOTE:

wayland is not supported, but xorg-wayland works

NOTE:

use steam, not steam-runtime (arch uses much newer libs)

You'll need vulkan drivers for your videocard.

sudo pacman -S vulkan \
               lib32-gtk2 \
               lib32-libva \
               lib32-libvdpau \
               polkit-gnome \
               pavucontrolqt

# nvidia
sudo pacman -S nvidia-utils \
               lib32-nvidia-utils \
               vulkan-icd-loader \
               lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

# icd-loader installs AMD's vulkan driver
# if using nvidia, specify it's driver
VK_ICD_FILENAMES=/usr/share/vulkan/icd.d/nvidia_icd.json steam-runtime

First time setup

- pavucontrol-qt:
  - select TU106 HDMI for playback

- terminal:
  - sudo /usr/lib/polkit-gnome/polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1 

- terminal:
  - steam
  - Locate and install steamVR in store

# at some point you'll be prompted to enable steam permissions using polkit-gnome

Regular Run

pavucontrol-qt  # select TU106 for playback
steam

Preparation

Headset Configuration

• Remove the rear-insert, it is designed only if headset is not tight enough
• Measure IPD (mine 4.6mm) and adjust as much as possible
• Adjust focal as near as possible to your face
• Darken brightness (30% for me)

In Headset Tips

• Stay hydrated
• Use eye drops
• Remember to blink
• Generally, focus forwards and turn head rather than using peripheral vision
• Stop before eye-headaches/light sensitivity
• When stoped, look at something in the distance

Configuration

Performance

NOTE:

Under linux, in first few seconds of home, buttery smooth. Then gradually lag sets in.

General

• Within steamVR settings, decreasing framerate to 120Hz helps a lot
• Within steamVR's per-application video setttings, advanced, decreasing resolution helps

Linux

• Disable X11 compositors like xcompmgr to improve performance
• 3x individual 1080p displays vs one large TwinView screen helps performance slightly

Game Resolutions

You may not be given a choice in-game to change the resolution,
but you can enable advanced video settings in SteamVR, and set one per-application.

Troubleshooting

Home won't Start

SteamVR > Restart Headset

Logs

Logs available from UI using

SteamVR > Create System Report:
  - Logs tab