Reddit reviews HTC Vive Link Box

Windows Mixed Reality will automatically track and recognize different rooms that you've set up, as long as things haven't changed too much since the last time it saw it.

My Odyssey is on an Alienware 17R4 that I move between multiple locations, and I almost never have to setup the rooms again. I just wave the headset around a bit when I start the WMR portal and let it scan across the room and floor and it almost always automatically recognizes the room and restores my boundaries.

Even if it says it couldn't match the room and prompts for setup, it's actually still looking and matching, so don't give up immediately, wave it around a bit more, and it might still pick up the old scan.

If you need a long cable run between rooms, I suggest buying a Vive Link Box and power supply, and use it in the middle of the cable run to boost the signal and power. And also use active extensions cables.

1. Vive Link Box
   
2. Vive Link Box Power Supply
   
   Make sure you power cycle the Vive Link Box whenever you plug or unplug anything into it to for it to reinitialize and detect the headset.

> "Which all of you know is a must to enjoy this."

Can't say I agree but to each their own.

Have you tried the Vive Link Box? I've heard that people have extended their Rift length with it.

Maybe this youtube video can help. Also make sure you have your latest BIOS for your motherboard and of course drivers. I got a 2700x this year and had tons of usb issues with the Rift which was weird since it ran fine on my old pc. Turned out I just needed to upgrade my bios.

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV

Works for Rift too.

I have an Odyssey+ and these are what I have been using for about 6 months and I have had no problems:
Vive Link
10ft HDMI
10ft USB 3.0
12ft Power Supply Adapter
Power Supply

A few things:

• Please be specific about what you did to fix your issue. It's a personal pet peeve of mine, but I hate looking for the solution to a problem, finding my exact problem listed, only to see the comment "Never mind, I tried something and it worked!" AARRGGHH!! What did you try? :-) Future readers searching on Inspiron or Max Q may thank you. Maybe even put it as a separate thread? It won't be highly upvoted, but it will be more searchable.
  
  
• This is the HTC Link Box. It extends the HDMI and headset's USB port, giving you a bit more cable length and acts as a powered adapter (taking some power load off your system. Note that it does not come with an AC adapter so you'll need to buy one separately. You should find a link for a working adapter on the Amazon page.
  
  
• You may be running into USB power management issues. Download Oculus Tray Tool and turn off the USB power management options. What may be happening is that the laptop is putting your USBs into low power mode to reduce heat, causing disconnects. Otherwise, perhaps you have a bad cable or headset? If it still happens, (a) check your BIOS/UEFI setup options to turn off any USB shutdown related settings, and (b) test your Rift on a friend's desktop system to see if it has the same problem.
  
  
• I'm glad you're having fun! It's an amazing experience, and try to win over those skeptical friends of yours! Playing coop or even social experiences like watching a movie or talking in BigScreen are amazing.
  
  
• A few games that seem great for people susceptible to motion sickness include:
  SuperHot (you stand in one place)
  Chronos (fixed camera position in a 3rd person adventure)
  Eleven: Table Tennis (ping pong simulation, 1:1 physical movement only)
  BigScreen (not a game, but lets you screen share with friends or join public rooms)
  Pinball FX2 (if you like pinball this is a great sim)
  I Expect You To Die (an "escape the room" game with great quality and humor)
  Wilson's Heart (a stylized "film noir" story/puzzle/adventure game with fixed teleport positions)
  The Unspoken (become a Dr. Strange-like mage in 1v1 or single player magic battles; I haven't played the single-player campaign but the PvP only uses teleport to fixed spots)
  Star Trek Bridge Crew (you're seated on the bridge of the Enterprise)
  Space Pirate Trainer (physical movement only; you're too busy dodging bullets to get sick)
  
  That should give you a good start! Welcome to the future!
  
  Edit: Some people swear by the VR Cover replacement facial interface, but I haven't used it. I've also heard great things about the WidmoVR cover - it covers the standard Rift facial interface with a replaceable soft cover that may make it more comfortable. You may want to check it out as a slightly cheaper alternative.

Yep, I almost always recommend this for those that want to extend their Rift. It's an active repeater with its own psu and was optimized for VR. In my case it frees up my only hdmi for my projector, but it's also nice to have a clean breakout box to plug into in my living room even though my computer is in the bedroom. No more finicky cable mismatches... use whatever cables you want..

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV
with this psu

I had the same problem with my Vive. First, I tried to replace the cable with the 3-in-1 and it did not fix the problem.

For me it was the link box that fixed it for me. $30 on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box/dp/B01LXR6DKV/

Vive Link Box

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV

It acts as a repeater and creates a fail-safe that that will prevent damage to your GPU's HDMI port.

If you're really desperate... You could probably unscrew your front panel from your case so you can move it closer to the HDMI port. I would just get a little extension cable, or you could get an HTC Vive link box if you want to extend your play space and fix your problem at the same time.

I use a 15ft active USB cable, 3ft displayport to hdmi adapter, 15ft active hdmi cable, and a link box in between. With my Lenovo explorer. Works perfectly. Holds 90fps. And no static or anything. I use the bluetooth on the link box.

Plugable Active DisplayPort to... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S0C7QO8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014I8T8FC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Cable Matters USB 3.0 Cable (USB... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HSS9LEI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

HTC Vive Link Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXR6DKV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

AC to DC 12V 1.5A 12V1.5A Power... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018JL0YIY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I see it for sale on Amazon.

No, it also has an DP input. See this pic: https://www.reddit.com/r/oculus/comments/4elfhk/powered_hdmi_and_usb_breakout_box_can_you_find/

It's #4 on that diagram. So that can be DP->DP (Vive box), then the output side of the Vive box is HDMI. I use this setup with my Rift because HDMI is a shitty connector and tends to break or bend pins. DP doesn't have that problem. The only reason they all use HDMI is for copy protection, it's an genuinely awful standard.

BTW: It's possible to buy these Vive breakout boxes standalone from Amazon, so it's an OK solution. I'm fairly sure at this point that the blackout problem is because Rift draws too much power, and is not a bandwidth problem.

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box/dp/B01LXR6DKV/ref=sr_1_31

Oh it's the Vive breakout box. I read somewhere you can use the rift on it too but I think it would be too expensive for what it's worth.

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV

HDMI - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0777SCQZX?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

Seems to be pretty good. People also seemed to have success with using the Vive extension box (https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=vive+box&qid=1550992342&s=gateway&sr=8-1)

I don’t know about that far. Maybe with active, it’s like 2am for me so I’ll take a better look at your-setup tomorrow and see if I have any suggestions. One question, do you use the oculus built in mic and audio?

Edit: oh looks like you have hdmi boosted from your cable description so you prob don’t need the HDMI repeater.

Get a Vive Link box. Plug it into your graphics card and then you have a nice usb and HDMI extension and a box for it to pull out of if you tug on it. I have one mounted up by the ceiling and use it to plug my headsets in. Gives me 6 feet of extension and makes it easy to swap headsets without getting to the pc.

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=CjwKCAjw8NfrBRA7EiwAfiVJpdbn8RxGeymh3-yaxdVieOd0DSOT8kHU4yx-kMGVS8kPi968T6RlexoC0HMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=174219869890&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028802&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2235828699297377110&hvtargid=kwd-275617700088&hydadcr=26583_9479132&keywords=vive+link+box&qid=1568047574&s=gateway&sr=8-3

​

or if you have an RTX card with the usb c displaylink you can try the Accell Adapter. My Odyssey and O+ seem to like it. My original rift is not a fan of it which is funny as it says Oculus ready.

https://www.amazon.com/Accell-J231C-008B-3-USB-C-VR-Adapter/dp/B07LC4B43P/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=vr+display+link&qid=1568047624&s=gateway&sr=8-4

edited for links and more info

had a similar issue with my 1080ti and believe it or not the easiest fix was to buy a htc vive link box. i tried tons of repeaters and other adapters and nothing worked. got the link box and suddenly my oculus can easily run even the cable listed here:- https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-9-vr-extension-cable-black/5706844.p?skuId=5706844 which is notorious for not working on most gpus. you can buy the link box on amazon here:- https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV but keep in mind that you will have to get the power adapter seperately. i'm using this one with no issues whatsoever:- https://www.amazon.com/12V1-5A-Supply-Adapter-Switching-Cameras/dp/B018JL0YIY/

It depends on where you have your computer. The rift cable is about 3 feet shorter than the Vive, which comes with this extension box to use extension cables. This box needs external power via a power plug, which means more cables, while the best buy solution is less messy.

I used the Valve Link Box:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXR6DKV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

to extend my USB3.0 and HDMI cables. If I need to reset the HMD when the WMR/Steam software gets out of sync, I can then just unplug / plug the DC power and not have to remove the USB or HDMI cables.

Will with these, but not great.
(i have a 1050ti 4GB laptop, and needed these. dell 7567)
the ti runs it fantastic however.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P0E394U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AKXVBT49GGF3B&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018JL0YIY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A38ZT5SX6TTZ4E&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXR6DKV/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

For the first I can only speculate because I am also a new owner and have no idea of your specs either... but try an HTC link box: https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526483592&sr=8-1&keywords=HTC+link+box (will need to get power for it as well)

For the second, go to your library and check 'uninstalled' -- they should show up there. (I thought I'd not gotten free games either, but they're there!)

When I google "link box" I get a Vive link box. Is that what you're talking about?

so its the linkbox? what did fix it so i can add it to my portfolio of fixes.
maybe its just the cable between the link box and the pc thats faulty.
a new link box is around 30 bux https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV

I had issues with certain ports, then I tried a Vive Link Box, but instead of using a 12v 1.5a dc adapter it requires, I DIY'd a SATA power extension cable to use the 12v line, wired to a 2.5mm dc power jack mounted to a pci slot backplate, then DIY'd a power cable to plug into both the Link Box and the 2.5mm dc power jack. The SATA cable apparently gets 4.5a, but I'm not sure how much of that is actually feeding the USB port. I just know it doesn't work without the power feed, and it works on ports that gave issues without it. For the few ports that did work without it, it drained the internal battery 25% in an hour...so ~4hrs worth of gaming, but with the Link Box, it drained 5% in 30 minutes...so ~10hrs worth of gaming.

https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX70164

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-Pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV

HTC's shipping rate is insane. Amazon Prime link and Microsoft Store with free shipping.

[edit] The power adapter, HDMI and USB are sold separately. They also cost more than the box itself.

I was able to get a cheap 15ft hdmi to work with a hdmi booster similar to this one>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GHL72XS/

Or go with an HTC Link Box to extend hdmi, you may be able to go longer than 15ft, I read that people have used a PC>15ft hdmi>linkbox>hdmi cable extention>VR.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXR6DKV/

You will need this.....

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-Pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV

And this......

https://www.amazon.com/12V1-5A-Supply-Adapter-Switching-Cameras/dp/B018JL0YIY

its for the vive but it works for oculus too.

HTC Vive Link Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXR6DKV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Fc5BzbR8ZT28F

Some folks are saying they bought the Vive breakout box and use it as an extension and bluetooth controller. YMMV

Check out the comments on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524080440&sr=8-1


Note, you still need male-to-male USB and HDMI cables to connect to the breakout box.

I'm running a similar setup to what you're looking at, just a bit shorter and less expensive. I couldn't see the need for the extra five feet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7SA21U/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008D5ETHE/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GHL72XS/

Some zip ties, heat shrink and cable sleeving keeps it nice and tidy. I keep it clipped to the side of my desk with a binder clip to keep tension off the back of my computer. It also makes it nice and easy to disconnect when I'm not using it.

Other people have reported having good luck with the Vive box.

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV/

If you go that route you'll also need to find a power supply and you still need to find cables.

I didn't have any luck with the Insignia cable from BestBuy. It's seems pretty hit or miss.

You need to plug your base stations into your computer and install updates.

You also need the HTC vive link box.
https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Vive-Link-Box-pc/dp/B01LXR6DKV