The PlayStation VR2’s PC adapter is now available for purchase, though users with compatible graphics cards can bypass the adapter altogether and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.
Why did Sony opt for a remarkably meagre offering?
The PlayStation VR2’s PC adapter has officially rolled out, allowing us to put its capabilities through their paces over the past few days. While we regard the PSVR 2 as a PC VR headset.
The adapter seamlessly integrates with the PlayStation VR2’s sole USB-C port. At one end, you’ll find a sturdy USB-A connector for connecting to your PC, a DisplayPort outlet that links seamlessly with your graphics card, and a DC power port – a complimentary power adapter is thoughtfully provided in the package.
While NVIDIA and AMD have long featured a USB-C port on some graphics cards, supporting DisplayPort, USB, and up to 27 watts of power in a single connection, this era-specific capability has been available throughout the history of their respective graphics card lines. The VirtualLink standard aimed to provide a unified interface for VR headsets to connect to, eliminating the compatibility issues typically associated with budget-friendly USB controllers on motherboards.
Virtual Link was initially available on certain graphics card models from both the NVIDIA RTX 20 series and the AMD Radeon RX 6000 series. As of their respective launches, support for ray tracing was optional for manufacturers producing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 and RTX 2070 cards, whereas it became a mandatory requirement for cards in the RTX 2080 series, including the RTX 2080, RTX 2080 Ti, and Titan RTX.
While many graphics cards feature a USB-C port and potentially VirtualLink, simply plugging in your PlayStation VR2 headset and installing the PlayStation VR2 app from Steam, which includes the SteamVR driver, is recommended for seamless PC compatibility.
Valve Has Cancelled VirtualLink’s USB-C Cable for Index VR Headset, Offers Refunds to Affected Customers
Valve has officially cancelled its VirtualLink cable for the Index VR headset, subsequently refunding customers their purchase price. The USB-C-enabled link between PC and VR headset would provide added convenience by consolidating connections into a single, streamlined interface, replacing the existing setup. The Valve Index’s novel design features two wires embedded within its strap, seamlessly integrating with the headset for a sleek, streamlined appearance.
Notwithstanding initial support from Oculus, Valve, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and AMD, VirtualLink’s fortunes waned, ultimately being abandoned by 2020 as it failed to gain traction across subsequent graphics card generations.
When using an RTX 30 series, RX 7000 series, or newer graphics card, prepare to spend $60 on the adapter to utilize PlayStation VR2 on PC, and an additional $10 for a DisplayPort cable if you don’t have one readily available.
