Experience Your PC on a Giant Screen with Virtual Desktop
Introduction
What if I told you that you could use your computer as if you were in front of a giant movie screen, all from the comfort of your couch with a virtual reality headset on? Well, that’s exactly what Virtual Desktop does! This application streams what’s happening on your PC screen directly into your VR headset.
System Requirements
Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need a state-of-the-art PC configuration to enjoy Virtual Desktop. The application is well optimized and requires a modest setup:
- Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2500k or equivalent
- Graphics Card: Nvidia GTX 970 or better for PCVR game streaming
- Network: PC connected via Ethernet to a 5 GHz WiFi router
Compatible VR Headsets
Virtual Desktop is compatible with most VR headsets on the market, including:
- Oculus Quest
- Pico Neo
- HTC Vive Focus 3
- HTC XR Elite
Installation and Setup
Once Virtual Desktop is installed on your PC and your VR headset, the magic happens. Here’s how to get started:
Download and Install:
- Download Virtual Desktop from the official website or your VR headset’s app store.
- Install the application on both your PC and VR headset.
Launch the Application:
- Open Virtual Desktop on your PC and VR headset.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the two devices.
Virtual Environment
You are immediately propelled into a virtual environment where your Windows desktop appears on a giant screen floating in front of you. Thanks to the controllers on your headset, you can interact naturally with your computer:
- Triggers: Act as left click/right click on the mouse
- Joysticks: Allow you to scroll through pages
Customizable Environments
You can customize your environment by choosing from a dozen different settings, such as:
- Movie theater
- Space station
- Sandy beach
Benefits for Teleworking
With the rise of teleworking, Virtual Desktop has become a practical tool for working comfortably from home. Enjoy a more pleasant and productive virtualized workspace.
Gaming Experience
For gamers, Virtual Desktop makes perfect sense. The application allows you to stream your PC games in virtual reality for an even more immersive experience. Imagine playing Super Mario Bros NES in augmented/virtual reality—it’s amazing!
Advanced Features
Virtual Desktop also handles:
- Spatial Audio
- Motion Controllers: Like the Oculus Touch
- Seamless Switching: Switch from a VR game to a classic game with a single click
Technical Details
Virtual Desktop relies on low-latency video streaming technology developed specifically for this purpose. The application:
- Encodes the video stream from your PC
- Compresses it
- Sends it via your WiFi network to your VR headset
- Decodes and displays it in real-time
Video Compression Algorithm
The in-house video compression algorithm offers impeccable image quality while maintaining extremely low latency (20 to 40 ms), ensuring a smooth and lag-free experience, even for fast-paced games.
Conclusion
Whether it’s for working, playing, watching movies, or simply browsing the web, Virtual Desktop offers a fantastic experience as long as you have a good local network.