Virtual Desktop Update Brings Desk Passthrough, Reduced Latency, and a Lush New Environment
Virtual Desktop, the beloved PC VR streaming app, has been updated with some exciting new features that will further enhance your immersive experiences. This latest release introduces Desk Passthrough, reduces latency for high-bitrate streaming, and adds a beautifully designed virtual environment. These additions demonstrate Virtual Desktop’s continued commitment to providing a polished and feature-rich experience for VR enthusiasts.
A Desktop Window into Your Real World: Introducing Desk Passthrough
One of the most notable additions in this update is Desk Passthrough, a feature allowing you to see your physical desk through your virtual reality headset. Compatible with Meta Quest headsets, Desk Passthrough lets you cut out a rectangular plane, revealing your real-world desk instead of VR. This opens up exciting possibilities for interacting with your physical keyboard, mouse, and other accessories without removing your headset.
Footage of Desk Passthrough from reddit user lunchanddinner.
This builds upon Virtual Desktop’s existing Passthrough Keyboard feature, which exclusively worked with Meta’s tracked keyboards. Now, you can see any keyboard, your mouse, and evenSpecialized controllers like HOTAS setups used for flight simulators.
Smoother Streaming With Reduced Decoding Latency
Virtual Desktop has always been lauded for its smooth streaming performance. This update pushes the boundaries even further by reducing decoding latency for high bitrates on headsets equipped with the powerful Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, namely the Quest 3, Quest 3S, and Pico 4 Ultra. Users streaming at maximum 200 Mbps with HEVC and AV1, or over 400 Mbps with H264, willbenefit from roughly a 30% decrease in decoding latency, resulting in a noticeably more responsive feeling experience.
“It can save a few milliseconds at high bitrates, around 5-6ms,” explains Guy Godin, the dedicated developer behind Virtual Desktop. “That’s decoding latency, so it can end up giving users an 11ms total latency reduction if it’s enough to cross a frame of latency, or no difference if it’s not enough.”
These milliseconds might seem insignificant, but in the world of VR, even minor latency reductions contribute to a more natural and immersive experience.
Immerse Yourself in First Class
Adding to the visual richness of Virtual Desktop, this update introduces a new environment called First Class. It’s a high-quality virtual space, offering a stunning backdrop for your virtual workspace or gaming sessions. Users can now enjoy their PC monitors within the beautiful “First Class” setting, enhancing their immersion and visual appeal.
The new First Class virtual environment.
While some basic PC VR streaming features are offered for free by Meta, Pico, and Valve, Virtual Desktop remains the champion for advanced features and constant innovation. Guy Godin’s commitment to refining the VR experience is clear, making Virtual Desktop the go-to choice for many headset owners who want the best possible PC access.
What is Desk Passthrough and how does it improve VR interaction?
## Virtual Desktop Gets Major Update: Desk Passthrough, Less Latency, and More!
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to VR News. Today, we’re talking about a major update for Virtual Desktop, the popular PC VR streaming app. Joining me is [Guest Name], VR enthusiast and all-around tech guru. Welcome to the show!
**Guest:** Thanks for having me!
**Interviewer:** So, tell us about this update. What are the big changes?
**Guest:** This update is packed with good stuff. They’ve introduced “Desk Passthrough”, which lets you see your actual desk through your headset, perfect for interacting with your physical keyboard and mouse without taking your headset off.
**Interviewer:** That sounds super convenient!
**Guest:** Definitely! It goes beyond their existing Passthrough Keyboard feature, which only worked with Meta’s tracked keyboards. Now you can see any keyboard, even specialized controllers for flight sims. [1]
**Interviewer:** Impressive! What else is new?
**Guest:** They’ve also made strides in reducing decoding latency, which means smoother streaming. This is especially noticeable for those with the newer headsets like the Quest 3 or Pico 4 Ultra running at high bitrates.
**Interviewer:** So games will feel even more responsive and immersive?
**Guest:** Exactly!
**Interviewer:** And you mentioned a new environment?
**Guest:** Yes, they’ve added a beautiful new environment to enjoy while in VR. No details on exactly what it is, but Virtual Desktop users are always excited about new visuals.
**Interviewer:** Well, it sounds like Virtual Desktop is continuing to improve and innovate. What do you think this means for the future of VR streaming?
**Guest:** It’s great to see developers dedicated to refining the experience. This update brings us closer to truly seamless integration between our real and virtual worlds.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us, [Guest Name], and thanks to everyone for tuning in to VR News.
