HTC announces top-tier Vive Pro Starter Kit

The original HTC Vive was released April 5, 2016; the HTC Vive Pro (pictured) debuts April 5 this year. — AFP Relaxnews

With its standard VR headset benefiting from a recent price drop, the Vive Pro Starter Kit bundle packs in everything a newcomer would need for HTC's upgraded experience.

Having already reduced the Vive's base model setup to US$499 (RM1,929) and introduced the headset-only Vive Pro at US$799 (RM3,089), HTC has now announced a US$1,099 (RM4,249.27) Vive Pro Starter Kit and an accompanying April 5 release date for those new to its VR arena.

In addition to the Vive Pro headset, the Starter Kit includes a pair of Vive 1.0 room-scale base stations and a pair of handheld Vive 1.0 controllers

(The 1.0 designation is significant, as HTC plans to unveil Vive 2.0 accessories in due course.)

Purchased separately, the set would cost US$220 (RM851) – though the official Vive website is currently out of stock where the base station and controller 1.0 specification is concerned.

Existing owners of the standard Vive headset are being offered a US$100 (RM387) voucher to the Viveport online store should they upgrade.

Presented at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2018, the Vive Pro bumps visual resolution from 2160 x 1200 by 78% to 2880 x 1600.

Additionally, a redesigned fit is intended to make the headset more comfortable, especially during extended play, in conjunction with integrated headphones and two noise-cancellation microphones.

HTC's room-scale Vive and the seated Facebook-owned Oculus Rift both retail at US$499, though need to be powered by a more valuable PC (typically US$799 and beyond); PlayStation's PS VR (US$399 / RM1,543) offers an entry-level experience and connects to the PlayStation 4 (US$299 / RM1,156) or PlayStation 4 Pro (US$399). — AFP Relaxnews