Valve Index Port Requirements

[BloodyShadow]

I'm having the hardest time finding basic info on the Valve Index port requirements. I'm sure the info is there (and that i'm staring right at it), I'm just missing some small detail..

I currently use the Oculus Rift for my VR games, but have the Valve Index reserved for late September. I'm used to using every USB port on my laptop for the sensor/headset setup, and I'm wondering what the port requirements are for the Index Base Stations.

From what I've found online it seems like this might be wireless? Do the base stations connect to the PC at all, or just to wall power? Is the only thing to connect (wired) to the PC your headset?

[BOLL]

Base stations use 0 ports on your PC. They only need power. They sweep the room with IR lasers and the actual tracking is done by the sensors on the headset/controllers. Firmware updates can be done via Bluetooth.

[ntsarb]

Only the headset connects to the PC, via DisplayPort and USB (either 2.0 without camera, or 3.0 with camera support). Everything else is wireless, via a Bluetooth dongle that's integrated into the headset:

* Each Base Station is powered from a wall socket and connects to the PC via the headset's Bluetooth (i.e. same USB cable used by the headset). It also features a USB port as an alternative to upgrading firmware.

* Similarly, the Index controllers (as well as the optional HTC VIVE Trackers) are connected to the PC via the headset's Bluetooth. They also feature USB ports for charging as well as an alternative to upgrading firmware.

All wearable devices receive infrared laser beams emitted by the base stations and use information encapsulated into the laser beams to compute their own location and orientation, which is communicated to the PC via the headset (via Bluetooth to the headset and via USB from the headset to the PC).

[BloodyShadow]

Thank you both, just wanted to confirm :) Looking forward to minimizing wires coming out of my laptop, every single port gets used with the Rift haha

[cronic0_0]

If you have a 2000 series graphics card you can try virtual link which will reduce a lot of connection clutter and you will not need a USB 3.0 port

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1072830/VirtualLink_USBC_Adapter_for_Valve_Index_Headset/

[K0zZ]

What is a 2000 series graphics card ? does this VR headset need it's own power source ? i.e. a plug connected somewhere ?