Thursday, May 5, 2016

Dev update #9



This week brings rewritten SteamVR driver (no more flickers and upside down textures) and mobile optimizations. We wanted to refactor some code and fix some bugs before moving on to bigger features. 

You might notice slightly lower latency (especially in SteamVR mode). If you are S7/S7 Edge user, please check it out too because this updated resolved artifacting for at least one person. :)

Desktop client version is 0.5.4.1, mobile app version is 0.8.4.


Please reinstall SteamVR driver after upading (close Steam first)




SteamVR driver update


Updated - known issues:
  • SteamVR games flicker in some cases. Reported on both Nvidia and AMD. 
  • The Lab may crash during the game on loading screens.
  • VR Render resolution is now 1920x1080 previously it was 2364x1461. Small quality drop might be noticeable for people with high-res phones. It will be tied to streaming quality next update.

We've rewritten our driver to use automatic driver registration process so it won't get overwritten by SteamVR updates. It has lower latency than previous driver and enables use of many SteamVR features: seamless VR context switching between apps, multi-layer compositor and more. It also fixes some problems with textures being upside-down or aligned incorrectly in some games. It will also allow us more flexible development in the feature.

You will need one last reinstall (click the Install SteamVR button). Remember to close Steam first. Our old driver will be removed in the process.

If Riftcat does not locate vrpathreg.exe file correctly, please point it to the file manually. It should be located in SteamVR\bin\win32 directory.

Android memory optimizations

We've updated large part of stream handling and networking modules on the Android side. It should now deliver frames more reliably with lower latency. 

It also manages memory a lot more efficiently. This result in less micro-hangs caused by memory cleanups (GC) which could cause frame drops @ decoder. 

Android (optional) stream changes for certain phones

We're also adding two experimental options. They can reduce or improve performance so we're not enabling them by default. The first one (Intel) can improve performance for Asus Zenfone 2 (and other Intel-based phones). The second might help with most various phones (but is targeted at certain Snapdragon models). 

You can access this screen by tapping More in top-right corner of the connection screen.
If your stream is lagging behind and/or showing blocky-floaty artifacts, try one or both. Please let us know if it changes anything.

28 comments:

  1. Good afternoon just to upgrade but I'm still having trouble finding the RiftCat Steam VR follows an image (https://www.dropbox.com/s/qzn54k1lk8cj6me/error.jpg?dl=0) of the communication error between them. Note did tests with the app turned on and off options. Grateful

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you reinstall driver after yesterday's update?

      Delete
    2. Yes, i make all processes and dont work to me.

      Delete
    3. Please send logs from {RiftCat folder}/logs to team@riftcat.com and I'll look into it.

      Delete
  2. THANKS!!!, How are you guys planning on tackling positional tracking? Cause if you do then you would be the first to do anything like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's hard to tell now. There are already some DIY tracking systems with webcam+printable markers but we need to test it ourselves to see the latency and performance of such systems. We want to release stable version working for majority of people first before tackling 3D tracking.

      Delete
    2. Yeah I understand, Great work By the way! Do you know if any these trackers have an Oculus/SteamVR driver? you know to make them universally compatible?

      Delete
    3. I don't think any of them support SteamVR currently but I'm gonna research it further.

      Delete
    4. I feel like if someone makes something thats works with Steam VR it is like the first step to using it with any game ya'know? I wish Valve would catch on and make it easier to make plugins for it. You peeps are doing great work, Keep it up.

      Delete
    5. I'm looking forwards to upcoming Google I/O conference. There are many hints about Android VR announcements but nothing is confirmed yet. I hope to hear more about spatial-aware tech codenamed Project Tango

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  3. Getting EXTREME flickering in this update. I'm Using the Samsung Galaxy S4 and streaming at 1664x936 60fps. This has happened in all steam VR games I have tried.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Known issue, no workaround yet. We tried to fix it all day on Friday but no luck yet.

      Delete
  4. Final Shift VR doesn't give me any VR stream. (Galaxy S6)
    https://exequor.itch.io/final-shift-vr

    On the previous version of VRidge I got the disconnect/reconnect loop when running this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. hi the great dev,

    i still cant taste steamVR tutorial T_T, its just close after steamVR running.

    connected via wifi
    1. install driver (steam closed/exit)
    2. open steam, and start steamVR than crash

    os : win 10 64bit pro
    Laptop Asus A46CB
    core i3 1,8Ghz
    RAM 8Gb
    Nvidia 740M 2Gb
    Samsung Galaxy Note 3(N900)
    Plastic Cardboard Ritech II
    Wifi

    already send you in email

    [
    {
    "ExceptionType": "NullReferenceException",
    "ExceptionMessage": "Object reference not set to an instance of an object.",
    "OS": "Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.10240.0",
    "CPUName": "Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3217U CPU @ 1.80GHz",
    "SystemMemory": 8077,
    "Tag": "VRIDGE",
    "GameName": null,
    "DateHappend": "2016-05-09T07:44:41.7896789Z",
    "StackTrace": null,
    "GPUData": "AdapterCompatibility: NVIDIA
    AdapterDACType: Integrated RAMDAC
    AdapterRAM: 2147483648
    Availability: 3
    Caption: NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
    ConfigManagerErrorCode: 0
    ConfigManagerUserConfig: False
    CreationClassName: Win32_VideoController
    CurrentBitsPerPixel: 32
    CurrentHorizontalResolution: 1366
    CurrentNumberOfColors: 4294967296
    CurrentNumberOfColumns: 0
    CurrentNumberOfRows: 0
    CurrentRefreshRate: 59
    CurrentScanMode: 4
    CurrentVerticalResolution: 768
    Description: NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
    DeviceID: VideoController1
    DitherType: 0
    DriverDate: 20160122000000.000000-000
    DriverVersion: 10.18.13.6175
    InfFilename: oem230.inf
    InfSection: Section034
    InstalledDisplayDrivers: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
    MaxRefreshRate: 0
    Monochrome: False
    Name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
    PNPDeviceID: PCI\\VEN_10DE&DEV_0FDF&SUBSYS_100D1043&REV_A1\\4&3B13E28A&0&0008
    Status: OK
    SystemCreationClassName: Win32_ComputerSystem
    SystemName: ARSAKHA
    VideoArchitecture: 5
    VideoMemoryType: 2
    VideoModeDescription: 1366 x 768 x 4294967296 colors
    VideoProcessor: GeForce GT 740M
    AdapterCompatibility: Intel Corporation
    AdapterDACType: Internal
    AdapterRAM: 2214592512
    Availability: 3
    Caption: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
    ConfigManagerErrorCode: 0
    ConfigManagerUserConfig: False
    CreationClassName: Win32_VideoController
    CurrentBitsPerPixel: 32
    CurrentHorizontalResolution: 1366
    CurrentNumberOfColors: 4294967296
    CurrentNumberOfColumns: 0
    CurrentNumberOfRows: 0
    CurrentRefreshRate: 60
    CurrentScanMode: 4
    CurrentVerticalResolution: 768
    Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
    DeviceID: VideoController2
    DitherType: 0
    DriverDate: 20150817000000.000000-000
    DriverVersion: 10.18.10.4276
    InfFilename: oem249.inf
    InfSection: iIVBM_w10
    InstalledDisplayDrivers: igdumdim64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igdumdim32,igd10iumd32,igd10iumd32
    MaxRefreshRate: 60
    MinRefreshRate: 60
    Monochrome: False
    Name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
    PNPDeviceID: PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_0166&SUBSYS_100D1043&REV_09\\3&11583659&0&10
    Status: OK
    SystemCreationClassName: Win32_ComputerSystem
    SystemName: ARSAKHA
    VideoArchitecture: 5
    VideoMemoryType: 2
    VideoModeDescription: 1366 x 768 x 4294967296 colors
    VideoProcessor: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
    "
    }
    ]

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just a quick idea to (maybe?) use Wii controllers for tracking

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not a simple thing to implement but it is something we would like to add in the future.

      Delete
    2. Thanks, it's amazing what you have created so far, keep up the good work! :)

      Delete
    3. See this Thomas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_4Qejsxxag.

      Delete
    4. I second the dual Wii remotes for tracking in place of the vive controllers. That would be absolutely awesome and based on what I have see others do with them I bet it would work pretty well.

      Delete
  7. Acer Aspire 7750G, AMD Radeon 6650M

    Stucks on "Awaiting VR Game" screen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P.S.: Device - Sony Xperia Z3

      Delete
    2. Send logs from {RiftcatDirectory}/logs to team@riftcat.com and I'll look into it.

      Delete

  8. At first everything it seemed to work properly.

    After many tests , I have a problem with SteamVR . Wanted to increase the quality to play Elite Dangerous (looks at very low resolution) , but as to test the image will not stop blinking.

    If I put some demo everything works fine, only with SteamVr it gives problems.

    I have a 390X i5 4690K and Meizu MX5 with Helio X10

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Flashing/flickering image is a problem we are currently working on. It randomly comes and goes depending on gpu power and load. We should have some fixes deployed tomorrow evening.

      Delete
    2. Thanks you for all.

      This is the best app in the market for this, dont stop developing.

      Delete
  9. Hello Guys,
    Great WORK!
    Galaxy S6/windows 10 games on steam VR flashes very quick.
    Thanks,
    Michal

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Flashing/flickering image is a problem we are currently working on. It randomly comes and goes depending on gpu power and load. We should have some fixes deployed tomorrow evening.

      Delete