3 or 4 cameras for Rift? recommend cables too pls?

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tangoseal

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Was wanting to upgrade to room scale.

I would like to add another camera or two to my rift. However, what is the consensus? is 3 good enough? 1 in each top corner of room facing me and 1 in back corner or should I do 2 in the back corners making 4 total?

Also I need an HDMI extender and USB 3.0 extenders for all 4 I guess based on the length I am going to install the cameras.

I also read that two cams should be 3.0 and 3rd and 4th should be usb 2.0? Is this true? And why? What if I provided a separate 3.0 card in a card slot?

Thanks a million for the recommendations.
 
If you have the room, you can always do 4. I have 3 with 2 in the front and 1 directly behind me and have found that to work better for me than the 3rd in a corner.

Just play around with a 3 sensor config at first. I used a powered usb 3 cord for my rear one since it was a longer run than normal. Probably would of been fine with a non powered but this is [H]. :)
 
Hagrid said:
If you have the room, you can always do 4. I have 3 with 2 in the front and 1 directly behind me and have found that to work better for me than the 3rd in a corner.

Just play around with a 3 sensor config at first. I used a powered usb 3 cord for my rear one since it was a longer run than normal. Probably would of been fine with a non powered but this is [H]. :)
Click to expand...
P

Thanks. I will order a 3rd for sure. I cant wait on Vega to drop. My 980ti feels like it skips or delays frames a little every now and then but it might be trying to roomscale with 2 cameras so im the culprit.

More recommendations anyonw?
 
I read a lengthy write up by someone that I cant locate.

He said there was no benefit for him using 4. 3 was just as good.
He tested USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 and couldnt tell any difference with the latest updates.
ie using all cameras on USB 2.0 was just as good. But only 2 cameras per USB controller.

My own experience with USB 3.0 has been annoying.
I bought an active 3m USB 3.0 extension (that had recommendations from other Rift users) and a 2m USB 3.0 extension.

The Active worked great using a USB 3.0 port for about a week and now only gives full bandwidth when plugged into a USB 3.1 port on the PC.
When the extension is plugged in a USB 3.0 port the camera has a fit and wont work properly.
It keeps disconnecting.

The non active cable is rubbish, its only just faster than USB 2.0 when doing a file copy through it.
The camera driver eventually crashes if I use it on a camera.
I now use it as a USB 2.0 extension.
So buyer beware.
Hopefully the cable that comes free with the spare camera is ok.
 
I use these cables. I have a did a write up on how I did a 4 sensor setup, but 3 sensors is enough for most setups.
Make sure you put an AC adapter on longer USB cables. The rift sensors are really touchy about cable extensions.

Power adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYYD5IN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fits these Cable Matters USB3 cables:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMFB5OK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is how I did mine:
https://hardforum.com/threads/oculus-rift-full-room-scale-setup.1936009/
 
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Thanks guys I appreciate it. I am going to get this setup this week and order those cables.

What about HDMI? I need to get an HDMI extender also for the headset as I am going to mount it in the ceiling so the cable comes from above me and not from the floor.
 
It only needs HDMI 1.4 so any cable (not cheap and crappy) rated for HDMI 2.0 will have no problem.
Thats how I got my 3m extension from Amazon which works great.
 
Really its risky to extend the headset.. any extention over 6' for the hdmi may not work and youll end up with a black screen and the pc wont recognize the headset.

Best to use the vive link box. You can grab one at amazon but you'll need to grab a external power supply for it since one dont come with it.

I believe i used a 15' hdmi male to male cable and a 15' usb 3.0 male to male cable to extend the headset.. read that its best to keep the hdmi and usb cables the same length.

Ill try to provide links.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LXR6DKV/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B018JL0YIY/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the cables to extend the headset.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00YNI7G8O/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HSS9LEI/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thats the best way i found to garranty you get it extended and working.

I've read way too many threads on the topic with nightmares of people trying to extend the headset and sensors and were buying tgis and that and returning cables left and right wasting money trying to find that magical cable strong enough to get a strong signal.. said no thanks and grabbed a power solution that the vive uses.

For extending the sensors i used the cable matters 16.5' usb 3.0 active cables.. dont need to power them. Infact the ones i got dont have a power plug.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DMFB5OK/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I use 3 sensors in a area like 10x10 with 0 issues.
 
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rather than buy the fourth sensor, buy another set of touch controllers and you get a sensor and USB 2.0 extension cable with them. It could be handy to have a spare set of touch controllers around.
 
reaper12 said:
rather than buy the fourth sensor, buy another set of touch controllers and you get a sensor and USB 2.0 extension cable with them. It could be handy to have a spare set of touch controllers around.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that is how I got my 3rd sensor, but it was by accident. Backup controllers are nice.
 
I bought some 10 foot actives non powered last night at frys. The camera work good but.. i have them too far spaced apart. I think they are about 10 foot wode. I will brinf them close tonight. Also going to order 3rd camera from Amazon tomorrow for roomscale play. I bought Arizona Sunshine but wont play it till I have roomscale in a few days. Cams are mounted on the ceiling tiles. Ill post a pic later.
 
Hagrid said:
Yeah, that is how I got my 3rd sensor, but it was by accident. Backup controllers are nice.
Click to expand...

It will be nicer when they have mixed reality up and working properly. They already have alpha support for one extra touch controller.
 
I'm using Cable Matters10' USB3 cables (non-active) and UGREEN 6' USB3 cables for my 3 sensors. They all work great in my 11'x11' space. Be sure to mount them as high as you can (but no more than 8' or so from the floor) and angled downward at a 45 degree angle, facing the center of the room.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P0ES0QM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7SA21U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

tangoseal said:
I bought some 10 foot actives non powered last night at frys. The camera work good but.. i have them too far spaced apart. I think they are about 10 foot wode. I will brinf them close tonight. Also going to order 3rd camera from Amazon tomorrow for roomscale play. I bought Arizona Sunshine but wont play it till I have roomscale in a few days. Cams are mounted on the ceiling tiles. Ill post a pic later.
Click to expand...

Are they angled towards the center of the room?
 
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So.. are we all having good luck with the cable matters USB cables? It seems like we are.
 
Yeah thier angled down and towards center. I have exellent coverage and 3rd sensor arrives today amazon next day air for 59 plus 6.99 shipping bought yesterday.

It will go directly behind me makijg 360 deg roomscale possible.

Now if only ill stop smacking my ceiling tiles.
 
Hagrid said:
When you tried it is that the result you got?
I like mine in the direct back. Works great for me. Better than the side.
Click to expand...

The result is excellent tracking in my entire 11'x11' space. How large is your tracked area?
 
TheSmJ said:
The result is excellent tracking in my entire 11'x11' space. How large is your tracked area?
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6x8. Dam bed in my way and none of the kids have moved out so I could have my own room......
 
Sorry for cell typos. Yeah that website didnt help a bit past what i already knew with my 2 sensors.

Im just using logic and creative 3 dimensional thinking. If two ceilong mount sensors 6 foot wide angle down and in towards the play zone can gibe me almost complete roomscale tracking I imagine a 3rd directly behind angled down will cover the backside blimd spot and any angle that is harf to cover for thebfront two sensors.

That blog is great for a non dimensionally thinking person but I can see any other location a third sensor would benedit drom except directly behind i.e.

0-sensor
X-me

0........0

.....x.....

.....0.....

8 ft wide x 10 deep play area
 
tangoseal said:
Sorry for cell typos. Yeah that website didnt help a bit past what i already knew with my 2 sensors.

Im just using logic and creative 3 dimensional thinking. If two ceilong mount sensors 6 foot wide angle down and in towards the play zone can gibe me almost complete roomscale tracking I imagine a 3rd directly behind angled down will cover the backside blimd spot and any angle that is harf to cover for thebfront two sensors.

That blog is great for a non dimensionally thinking person but I can see any other location a third sensor would benedit drom except directly behind i.e.

0-sensor
X-me

0........0

.....x.....

.....0.....

8 ft wide x 10 deep play area
Click to expand...


Your "dimensional thinking" is neglecting the fact that the tracking system needs at least two sensors to be looking in the same area at once. This is especially important when the sensor(s) have to be able to differentiate between both the HMD and both Touch controllers at the same time.

Will it "work" with just one sensor? Yes, but you'll see a lot of wobble/drift for the device in question when not covered by more than one sensor, and it will be easy to occlude that device from the single sensor (particularly the Touch controllers). All of this is explained in the link I provided.
 
TheSmJ said:
Your "dimensional thinking" is neglecting the fact that the tracking system needs at least two sensors to be looking in the same area at once. This is especially important when the sensor(s) have to be able to differentiate between both the HMD and both Touch controllers at the same time.

Will it "work" with just one sensor? Yes, but you'll see a lot of wobble/drift for the device in question when not covered by more than one sensor, and it will be easy to occlude that device from the single sensor (particularly the Touch controllers). All of this is explained in the link I provided.
Click to expand...
What on earth are you going on about..


Did you read any of my stuff? I have 2 plus just got a 3rd today. All will overlap. All will overlap at least 2 sensors at the same time per sector when I block any one of the 3. That is the dimensional thinking and that doc said nothing about 3 sensor setups.
 
tangoseal said:
What on earth are you going on about..


Did you read any of my stuff? I have 2 plus just got a 3rd today. All will overlap. All will overlap at least 2 sensors at the same time per sector when I block any one of the 3. That is the dimensional thinking and that doc said nothing about 3 sensor setups.
Click to expand...

Just looking at your ASCII diagram I can see that there won't be coverage by two sensors to the left and right of the rear sensor until you're roughly at the half way point of the room. As for the document not mentioning 3 sensor setups - you might want to take another look.
 
Yup 2 sensors needs to see the touch controllers at all times.

Best to have the sensors up high and pointed at the center of your area at chest level.

At the final step of the sensor setup stand in the middle between the rear sensor and one of the front sensors. So angled between the 2 while facing the other front sensor and hold the touch controller at eye level while pulling the trigger.

I do the above blind without a monitor cause my rig ia in the next room from my area. Sucks but works.
 
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TheSmJ said:
Just looking at your ASCII diagram I can see that there won't be coverage by two sensors to the left and right of the rear sensor until you're roughly at the half way point of the room. As for the document not mentioning 3 sensor setups - you might want to take another look.
Click to expand...

Ok clearly i confused you unintentionally. It will be ceiling mounted and not exactly 180 deg behind me. It will be offset as to at all times provide angular dual camera coverage. Its more like a triangle where at least 2 sensirs are in some extent in the visual range of everything
 
Set sensors up like this


...0...........0....

.........x...........

....0...............

From what I can tell perfect roomscale tracking. Sensors all hanging from my false ceiling tiles. Took a few rounds of calibration with the app telling me where to point them but it ended up working great.
 
tangoseal said:
Set sensors up like this


...0...........0....

.........x...........

....0...............

From what I can tell perfect roomscale tracking. Sensors all hanging from my false ceiling tiles. Took a few rounds of calibration with the app telling me where to point them but it ended up working great.
Click to expand...
I tried that and when you go to the corner that doesn't have the sensor and turn around it doesn't like it. With the sensor directly in the back it gets everything the ones in the front get the rest. But it works great for me.
 
Hagrid said:
I tried that and when you go to the corner that doesn't have the sensor and turn around it doesn't like it. With the sensor directly in the back it gets everything the ones in the front get the rest. But it works great for me.
Click to expand...

Well since its kind of hard installed I will just order a 4th sensor if I encounter problems.
 
I tried a 3-sensor setup, and the corner of the (roughly 12'x12') room without a sensor had tracking issues, quite predictably. The Touch controllers don't pick up nearly as well from behind as they do from the front.

A fourth sensor solved that nicely.
 
NamelessPFG said:
I tried a 3-sensor setup, and the corner of the (roughly 12'x12') room without a sensor had tracking issues, quite predictably. The Touch controllers don't pick up nearly as well from behind as they do from the front.

A fourth sensor solved that nicely.
Click to expand...
Thats why I really like the 3rd sensor directly behind me. It picks up the slack when turned around.
Edit: Soon as the kids move out, I will have 4 sensors in one of the bedrooms.(Though it will be a VR room!)
 
I dont want to make a whole new thread for a small question so I will just ask here first lol

I currently have a MSI p67a-c43 (b)

https://ca.msi.com/Motherboard/P67AC43_B3.html#hero-specification Will I be able to do 3 cameras with this motherboard or will I need to get a pcie USB card for my 3rd camera? Just worried about USB bandwidth and I know my mobo only has 2 USB 3 ports that probably share a single channel. Do the USB 2 share the same controller or am I safe to use 2 x USB 3 and 2 x USB 2?
 
Ragenrok said:
I dont want to make a whole new thread for a small question so I will just ask here first lol

I currently have a MSI p67a-c43 (b)

https://ca.msi.com/Motherboard/P67AC43_B3.html#hero-specification Will I be able to do 3 cameras with this motherboard or will I need to get a pcie USB card for my 3rd camera? Just worried about USB bandwidth and I know my mobo only has 2 USB 3 ports that probably share a single channel. Do the USB 2 share the same controller or am I safe to use 2 x USB 3 and 2 x USB 2?
Click to expand...

I’d invest in a good USB pcie card if you want a 3 camera setup. You might be able to scrape by with what’s on your motherboard, but you’ll probably experience a lot of port juggling difficulties getting everything to play nice, especially if you have other USB peripherals as well. (I’ve got an O2 DAC, a Technics USB mic, keyboard, and a mouse already riding USB ports and wanted to keep them all.) An add-in board makes things a LOT easier and you know the USB channels are all fully devoted to the Rift cameras as needed. I’ve had a lot of luck with this Star Tec card, but it might be overkill if you just need one extra port.

I've also tried the Inatec card that some folks have used successfully, but it DOES NOT have a dedicated controller per port, but rather has all the ports share the same USB controller/channels, so getting it to work with 2 or more cameras can be problematic. The Star Tec card I linked above has a fully dedicated USB 3.0 controller and channel per each of its given ports and plenty of power. Just to be sure to connect one of your PS power connectors to the end of the card.
 
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Ragenrok said:
I dont want to make a whole new thread for a small question so I will just ask here first lol

I currently have a MSI p67a-c43 (b)

https://ca.msi.com/Motherboard/P67AC43_B3.html#hero-specification Will I be able to do 3 cameras with this motherboard or will I need to get a pcie USB card for my 3rd camera? Just worried about USB bandwidth and I know my mobo only has 2 USB 3 ports that probably share a single channel. Do the USB 2 share the same controller or am I safe to use 2 x USB 3 and 2 x USB 2?
Click to expand...

First check the Oculus Compatibility Tool. That would tell you if there are any known issues with the USB3 controller you have. My motherboard is an older ASRock Z68 Extreme 4, and its on-board USB3 controller is an Etron model that is incompatible with the Rift and was flagged as such by this utility. However, I do use them for the headset itself without any issue. I have one sensor connected to one of the on-board USB2 ports, and the other two are on a USB3 card that is known to work well with up to two sensors.

If your system clears the Oculus utility, you can check Windows Device Manager for the USB3 controller and read up on people's experiences with it. Some will work, but only with the latest drivers. Others work best with the default drivers Windows installs.

Based on the age of your motherboard I'd be surprised if your USB3 ports are marked as compatible. But like I said - mine supposedly aren't but work just fine with the HMD.
 
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TheSmJ said:
First check the Oculus Compatibility Tool. That would tell you if there are any known issues with the USB3 controller you have. My motherboard is an older ASRock Z68 Extreme 4, and its on-board USB3 controller is an Etron model that is incompatible with the Rift and was flagged as such by this utility. However, I do use them for the headset itself without any issue. I have one sensor connected to one of the on-board USB2 ports, and the other two are on a USB3 card that is known to work well with up to two sensors.

If your system clears the Oculus utility, you can check Windows Device Manager for the USB3 controller and read up on people's experiences with it. Some will work, but only with the latest drivers. Others work best with the default drivers Windows installs.

Based on the age of your motherboard I'd be surprised if your USB3 ports are marked as compatible. But like I said - mine supposedly aren't but work just fine with the HMD.
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Surprisingly passed with a perfect score lol, thanks guys I'll buy an add on card
 
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KickAssCop said:
Can I just enjoy games with 2 sensors?
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yes absolutely, and if your play area is small enough (I think like 2mx2m kinda of size) you can do roomscale pretty well with just 2 sensors. The third sensor is just for improving roomscale in larger play areas, but if your area is small or you just plan on playing standing/sitting games then its fine.
 
KickAssCop said:
Can I just enjoy games with 2 sensors?
Click to expand...

You can. But it depends on the size of your play space, and how you set up the sensors. I've heard it works with up to a 6'x6' play space just fine with the sensors set up on two opposing corners.
 
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