HP Reverb G2 (v2) crashing Steam VR and terrible tracking

[AmethystScarab]

Ignoring the fact that HP seems to not care about supporting the device (odd considering they are pushing the professional Omnicept edition hard to business who also can't get support for it). Or that the newer hardware rev isn't indicated as different anywhere on the website. Or perhaps that it doesn't even get its own specified forum (even sub hardware space) to be listed under gaming (not the typical business use).  And that support doesn't really get what I am referring to when I call.

Ignoring all of that, the unit while having a beautiful image is just terrible.  Perhaps mine has issues I don't know.

SteamVR crashes almost constantly.  This was improved by changing USB ports (MB has multiple USB-C ports as does graphics card), I  need to use a USB-A port with adapter for some form stability. First thought was not enough power from the USB port itself but as the unit has its own beefy power supply this shouldn't even be a factor. Opened multiple tickets with Steam they aren't exactly helpful even though they worked to develop the headset with HP.  Unit still works but crashes back to WMR. WMR appears to be working fine, so likely a bug somewhere.  Doesn't happen on my old Lenovo Explorer.  And more frustratingly there isn't a single bit of feedback or diagnostics for the unit available.  The only software is an outdated firmware for the v1 of the unit and a setup program that simply walks you thought the steps (and not really in a better way than the default WMR software did. Granted Steam just asks you to roll back to Windows 10,  and on systems where that is not possible they say to simply wait (and hope).

Tracking is god awful. Worse than the Lenovo Explorer (if that is possible).  Motion controller tracking jumps directly in front of the unit, not just on the edge cases. Though keeping hands (motion controllers) a foot in front of waist at just above waist height and turning head immediately and visibly shifts the calculated angle and location of the motion trackers (they need to be below eye line in HMD but should be well within view of the inside-out tracking cameras so this should not happen). It feels as if the cameras are fighting each other instead of working with each other to make a seamless 3d image of the play area to track the motion controllers. Moving heads (motion controllers) to your side even near eye level especially at any speed (playing a game like Beat Saber for instance) causes the system to assume, wrongfully, that instead of your hand making a smooth motion from center to the site that it magically jumps up an extra foot or so in the air.  The Lenovo Explorer without side cameras could at least estimate this using your previous trajectory, but this has cameras to see it, and it should be visible by both the side and front cameras simultaneously even briefly to help calculate the location. It actually makes not only numerous games unplayable but really any business software that requires a wider range of movement. 

Additionally I am finding this headset using far more CPU and GPU than it really should, even for lower resolution or low motion games. I understand this has two high resolution displays but it can hang on basic 5+ year old games, when the same system can run Cyberpunk 2077 with two higher resolution monitors. It seems like some optimization is needed. 

I am trying to give this thing the best possible chance of an honest evaluation I can for some companies I consult for, and perhaps it is something I am doing wrong or settings I need to change, but for now it has trouble even performing basic tasks in seated environments (games/apps). 

[tav72]

im having the same issue with win 10. im running 3070 nvida ryzen 9 3900x 32 gb ram. ready to return it

[Dilip_18]

Hi@AmethystScarab, @tav72,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! I'd like to help!

I see you are experiencing issues with the HP Reverb G2 Virtual Reality Headset. I apologize for the Inconvenience.

I have a few recommendations 

• Make sure that the most recent drivers are installed for the headset and USB controller.
• While most games do not display the controllers or use the models installed by the driver, some games use their own versions of the controller models, either to customize them or to display contextual help for the available inputs. Usually, this does not block any features of the games but might lead to confusion or visual artifacts. This can be fixed with an update of the game itself.
• Make sure that the headset is worn correctly so that the wearer's eyes are centered with regards to the lenses.
• Try to adjust the IPD (interpupillary distance). Note that Reverb G2 uses a hardware IPD. To change it, look for IPD adjustment on the bottom of the headset.
• Continue to wear any prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Check and clean the headset lenses as necessary (micro fiber cloth only no fluids).
• Due to the advanced design of the headset there may be some minor image ghosting in the first few minutes when starting the device while cold until the headset lenses have the opportunity to warm up.
• The HP Motion Controller joystick will sometimes stick to one side is corrected by fully depressing the joystick until it clicks and it will move freely.
• Connect the 6-meter cable to the headset first before connecting to the PC or power supply.
• Leave the 6-meter cable connected to the headset after initial installation.
• When the headset is not in use, disconnect the power adapter from the 6-meter cable.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

Have a great day!

[AmethystScarab]

While I really do get that this is basically a form response it doesn't actually even attempt to address ANY of my concerns. Unless somehow IPD affects tracking now(it doesn't) or fit affects crashes. 

Perhaps I provided too much information to read before offering the generic reply that I no way even attempted to acknowledge it resolve my issues. But instead attempts to resolve issues I am not having. 

[FiringPin]

I'm also having issues with my G2 and Steam VR. Experiencing intermittent spikes and stuttering, and Steam VR crashes with a VR Server error.

[Dilip_18]

Hi@FiringPin,

I see you are experiencing issues with the HP Reverb G2 Virtual Reality Headset.

I apologize for the Inconvenience. As we have limited support boundaries in the support community as of now. I would request you to contact our HP Support Engineers and should be able to sort this out. 

Please reach out to the HP Technical Support team in your region regarding the service/replacement options.

Click on this link - https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp 

For any hardware issue or repair please click on the link Phone Assist Worldwide

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

Have a great day!

[FiringPin]

Things have gotten worse...now the G2 wont even switch on

[Dilip_18]

Hi@FiringPin,

Thank you for responding, I appreciate your time and effort.

It could be a hardware issue with the HP Reverb G2 Virtual Reality Headset.  Please reach out to the HP Technical Support team in your region regarding the service/replacement options.

Click on this link - https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp 

For any hardware issue or repair please click on the link Phone Assist Worldwide

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance.

Have a great day!