When it comes to connecting standalone headsets like Quest 2 to a PC, one of the best apps for doing so is Virtual Desktop. Created by Guy Godin the app has been around since 2016, with the developer continually enhancing and expanding its capabilities in that time. With Meta Quest 3 due for release next week, Virtual Desktop has just had a massive update ensuring official support.
As Godin reveals on X (formerly Twitter), the v1.29 update for Virtual Desktop focuses primarily on Quest 3 support. This means adding AV1 codec support, 120fps in all environments, higher resolutions and more. The inclusion of AV1 codec support should ensure better image quality when compared to HEVC. It should also improve and stabilise locomotion in VR games, according to the developer.
The update does forget about the other Quest devices either. Face and eye tracking are now supported on Quest Pro, plus there’s a screen transparency option for Quest and Pico headsets.
Virtual Desktop v1.29 Changelog
Meta Quest 3 specific features
- AV1 support; this requires an Nvidia 4000 or AMD 7000 series GPU
- AV1 has better image quality at the same bitrate compared to HEVC
- It produces more stable encoding/decoding times so less hiccups when teleporting/moving in games
- It is a bit more demanding on your GPU so you might not be able to reach the same resolution/framerates compared to HEVC on lower end cards
- Increased maximum bitrate to 200 Mbps with all codecs and 400 Mbps with H.264+
- New Godlike quality (like on Quest Pro) but usable at up to 120 fps
- Snapdragon Game Super Resolution can be used with all VR Graphics Quality options
- You can use 120fps in desktop/video mode in all environments rather than just the first 4
- All environments are now rendered at much higher resolutions
Additional features:
- Screen transparency toggle (above the screen in the first 4 environments)
- VR Passthrough option (in Streaming tab) with configurable chroma keying
- Face/eye tracking with VRChat on Quest Pro (via VRCFaceTracking)
- Passthrough environment on Pico
- New virtual assistant that can answer questions related to Virtual Desktop in many languages
- Added Turkish and Russian keyboard layouts
- Now automatically saving/restoring Nvidia settings
- Fixed compatibility with Onward (Steam) when launching from GAMES tab
Virtual Desktop is available through the Quest Store for £14.99 GBP. Meta Quest 3 launches on 10th October 2023 with prices starting from £479.99. Pre-orders are available now with a free copy of Asgard’s Wrath 2.