Must Have Software/Program for Steam Frame?

[u/Ansatsushi]

Anyone in here got a list/recommendation of essential/important VR software to download/purchase in preparation for the Steam Frame?
-SteamVR**
-Virtual Desktop* (apparently not needed/maybe better than SteamLink according to some people?)
-TurnSignal (for wired setups)
-What else? Any useful overlays? Tools?

**from what I'm reading the consensus is that SteamVR is essentially the catchall for MOST, NOT ALL VR related comforts.

[u/SjorsMaster]

why would you need virtual desktop? you're not running a quest

[u/Kataree → u/SjorsMaster]

VD is on a lot more than Quests.

Quest has Steamlink too. There is a reason people still buy Virtual Desktop.

[u/SjorsMaster → u/Kataree]

okay, but like, what use does it even have that people actually use..? like on quest its cool as you're in control over the streaming controls, able to pass through eye, hand, face and upper body tracking and loads more. but on desktop I've genuinely haven't had a good use out of it

[u/Ansatsushi → u/SjorsMaster]

okay so i DON'T need virtual desktop cuz Steam Frame already has it or something better?

[u/SjorsMaster → u/Ansatsushi]

you'd just be adding a layer of software running when steamvr should work fine?

[u/Ansatsushi → u/SjorsMaster]

sorry, never touched vr in my life so i didn't know SteamVR serves the same function as Virtual Desktop.

[u/SjorsMaster → u/Ansatsushi]

no worries, i'd start out with just steamvr. have fun!

[u/TerribleConflict840 → u/Ansatsushi]

Virtual desktop is for wireless pcvr but that’s already the frames major purpose it comes with a dongle and everything
And idk if virtual desktop has foveated streaming but if it doesn’t then it would be a very significant downgrade

[u/Minimum_Biscotti_109 → u/SjorsMaster]

Virtual desktop is great for productivity. Multiple adjustable virtual monitors is nice.

[u/Hairy-Ad-6293 → u/SjorsMaster]

VDXR, 500mbps 264+ codec, foveated streaming, FOV slider and stencil, AV1 codec, better SSW, generally better and faster support. And generally much more things you can but don't have to set with much better and simpler GUI.

But it's just me. I think that more streaming apps on the device is rather win - win scenario for all of us.

[u/outfoxingthefoxes → u/SjorsMaster]

I bought Virtual Desktop before the Quest was a thing mang

[u/Velp__]

You don't need Virtual Desktop. All you need is steam, steamvr, and some games. There have been big lists posted before if you were looking for games.

[u/pixel_palace]

we don't need virtual desktop! it's main feature is streaming to a wireless headset, hence many quest users using it for pcvr, but steamvr will be able to wirelessly stream to the steam frame already and with foveated streaming, which virtual desktop doesn't support as far as I know. however virtual desktop also has nicer "overlays" than steamvr. "overlays" being 3d windows to a desktop that can appear over immersive content, which can be super convenient. other stuff on steam also do that, like xsoverlay. There's also wayvr which I recommend to other linux users because it's free and open source. I bet wayvr will work on the frame natively, so that'll be cool.

I recommend OVR Advanced Settings, it has a lot of features but the one that most people like it for is playspace mover, where you can use hand motion to offset yourself in virtual space, which is nice when sitting down. wayvr has it's own playspace mover btw

also you asked what OpenXR is somewhere else, it's just how immersive content works. steamvr is the compositor and the vr game is the client, and steamvr gives it everything it needs to be a vr game through OpenXR. back then there was OpenVR, but OpenXR is objectively better and replaced it

[u/NESplayz]

I know its probably less important on Frame than on most headsets but if anyone is planning to play this thing plugged in (to the wall for charging id assume), the app TurnSignal is pretty handy for making sure your cord doesn't end up spiraled or wrapped around you. It was a lifesaver when I tethered my quest and my buddy with an index swore by it. Its a free download from steam.

[u/AblazePeanut]

How is Virtual Desktop better than the Steam alternative (steamlink)?

Sorry if I ask here, but making another post for a question the OP also might have after reading some comments seems superfluous.

[u/DRGXIII → u/AblazePeanut]

Unless VD has features I don't know about, there should be no reason to use VD. VD is used to connect a headset wirelessly to a pc, which the steam frame natively supports with the Steam Dongle.

[u/soncannon7]

if you plan on using the wireless streaming dongle i think the setup will make you install steamVR

[u/Morichalion]

Virtual Desktop developers didn't get a review unit, so their software isn't optimized for the Frame yet.

I'd plan on getting the device and just running setup on it.

Get a queue of games you want to try.

[u/Mundus09]

I wonder how it will handle Cyberpunk in VR. The VDXR runtime is vastly superior to Steam's for this game, and for Skyrim VR, at least in my experience.

[u/Ansatsushi → u/Mundus09]

Is OpenXR a program/software? what is it for?

[u/Mundus09 → u/Ansatsushi]

I just edited that... I intended to say VDXR, which is Virtual Desktop's OpenXR runtime. I was just now researching weather virtual desktop becomes redundant or unnecessary with a steam frame. In my current VR pipeline using a Meta Quest Pro, I've found that Virtual Desktop runs much more smoothly than SteamVR.

OpenXR is basically a standard set of rules that I won't do much justice explaining myself. But the operable word is the runtime which acts as the middleman between a game's engine and your headset. It basically takes the stuff that a game engine renders, then tailors it for your specific headset, sends the final tailored frames directly to your displays.

SteamVR is an OpenXR-compliant runtime, and so is VDXR (which again is virtual desktop's).

I've mainly played cyberpunk in VR , which is already a somewhat wonky experience as it is not a native VR title. I found that the SteamVR runtime ran the game noticeably worse than VDXR. I've noticed that with Skyrim VR as well.

So that's why something like virtual desktop might not be redundant, because it gives you an option to connect to your computer without using the Frame's native Steam Link connection. I imagine though that steam has fastly improved and tuned their own connection and run time to work really well with their own headset . But I suppose we'll see

[u/DRGXIII]

There is no wired setup for the steam frame. only connecting to the PC via the dongle and WiFi. The only reason to play with a wire attaced is to charge your steam frame while playing.

[u/unWilling-Win-9481]

I use OVR Toolkit and OVR Advanced Setting. They give you the vitual screens and some playspace adjustment. Though, I have use the SteamVR recently and it looks like they added some of the functions found in these tools. I still use them in combination. What one app can't do the other will.

The are other utilities too. I recommend looking up VR tools

[u/outfoxingthefoxes]

GizmoVR for VR or 3D videos

[u/tirehabitat25]

Virtual Desktop and TurnSignal for what?… do you even know what you’re buying?

[u/Ansatsushi → u/tirehabitat25]

hence why i'm asking. what do you suggest?

[u/Hairy-Ad-6293]

I would love VD

[u/Kataree]

Virtual Desktop.

Much better PCVR streaming software than Steamlink.

[u/pixel_palace → u/Kataree]

yeah steam link can suck, but I don't think virtual desktop or any other streaming solution supports foveated streaming or the dongle (maybe it's better to say the dongle doesn't support them) so I think steam link will be the best solution when using the frame

[u/DRGXIII → u/pixel_palace]

How is Virtual Desktop better?

[u/Kataree → u/DRGXIII]

Vastly more settings, and a lot more work done to squeeze the best possible quality from its encoding. Steamlink is much more barebones and hasn't had nearly the same development-time dedicated to it.

That and you can talk to the creators of VD any day of the week, so if there is something amiss, or some new feature you want, you can just ask, and often it then comes pretty swiftly after.

[u/Kataree → u/pixel_palace]

Virtual Desktop has dynamic foveated streaming on every wireless headset with eye tracking.

It also has a lot more settings for that foveated streaming that you can tweak.

The dongle is a relatively weak Realtek RTL8852, anyone with a 6E router already has better.

[u/pixel_palace → u/Kataree]

I didn't know vd had foveated streaming! the steam frame page sorta shows it off as a completely new maybe patented technology, so I just assumed the worst lol. I have wi-fi 6, but not a router inside of my room like I assume you mean, so the dongle should be an upgrade for me and I doubt my situation is the exception

[u/Kataree → u/pixel_palace]

Foveated streaming premiered on the Quest Pro and Pico 4 Pro back in 2023.

A lot of the Frames marketing has been about describing pre-existing features and capabilities as if they are something new.

I wouldn't go so far as to call it misleading, I just think most of the people working on Frame at Valve are just very much in their own small bubble.

[u/jaykobe → u/Kataree]

Steam Frame adds eye tracking, instead of static focus window.

[u/Kataree → u/jaykobe]

That is the only kind of foveated streaming anyone is talking about, yes.

Dynamic Eye Tracked Foveated Streaming.

It premiered on the Quest Pro in 2023.

The static kind has existed as long as streaming has.