Setting Up A Better VR Space For SteamVR Linux Gaming

Written by Michael Larabel in Linux Gaming on 11 March 2017 at 07:50 AM EST. Page 1 of 3. 11 Comments.

When receiving the HTC Vive last month for testing the roll-out of Valve's SteamVR beta for Linux, going into it I hadn't realized how immersive the experience was at that point nor all the cables involved. I had setup the HTC Vive VR system in the "basement server room" to deal with the mess of cables, but after using this VR headset for a few days I quickly realized I needed a better area for engaging with virtual reality. After making a custom-built desk and moving where I have the HTC Vive "play room" configured, the experience is much better.

With my original VR configuration I had to worry about many cables on the ground -- some related to the HTC Vive, some just other cables running between monitors and racks -- as well as the obstructions like racks, a glass table, and more.

I decided to setup a VR gaming station in the area where the projector is as it's free of any major obstructions, there is power nearby, the area would be sufficient for setting up the HTC Vive base stations for tracking, and the area is otherwise unused.

Rather than buying a desk, I decided to build one catered for VR testing as the cost would be about the same (less than $100, about the same as the previously-recommended $100-or-less L-shaped glass desks) but my design would be more sturdy and versatile.

For this VR gaming desk I used another slab of butcher block, the same as I've built other desks out of last year: Building A Butcher Block Computer Desk To Comfortably Handle Six Monitors and Building A Massive L-Shaped Desk For A Better Workflow, More Monitors & Space and The Second Butcher Block + Galvanized Steel Desk Build.


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