The Vive is HTC’s advanced virtual reality headset, but we’re certain you’re as intrigued as we are as to what the insides look like. Luckily, we don’t have to open one up and risk damaging components as the skilled folk over at iFixit have given the Vive a full tear down.
Here’s what iFixit took away from the HTC Vive:
The head tracking system in the Vive is the exact opposite of the system we found in the Oculus Rift. The Rift uses a desk-mounted camera to track the IR emitters in the headset, whereas the Vive headset sees light from the mounted IR emitters without actually “tracking” its location.
Unlike the hybrid lenses we encountered in the Oculus Rift, the Vive’s lenses appear to have a uniform contour. It seems that HTC opted to control focus through adjustment of the eye relief (lens-to-eye distance).
Although the headset itself is an advanced piece of kit, it’s possible to carefully pull the Vive apart without damaging the insides to carry out any required repairs.
