PICO 4 - Virtual Desktop - Wired Connection
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@Fresco thanks for the input!
I’ve been through both of these videos. They do a decent job of unboxing and saying “I connect this to that” - but then they say nothing about how to use the thing in the PCVR context, using Virtual Desktop etc.
Now…
I am aware that VD needs an internet connection, which it gets on wifi no issue.
I am aware that with ADB I get some DECENT networky, talking 15-45ms.
I have SEEN others (like the sim racer guy) getting 1-5ms on Gigabit! I want this.
I have seen PICO 4 as a device on the BT SmartHub 2 router I’ve got (on wifi AND ethernet port), so it’s clearly compatible with the adaptor etc.
I have then run VD, which connects to the PC via wireless, I get up to 866mbps reading out, and my gameplay is jarry as all hell.
What DOESN’T happen, which DOES happen with the ADB is that I don’t get a “Hey, there’s a new connection here, would you like to make it a private one?” notification. Course, because it’s not a ‘new connection’ to the PC, it’s in the router.
Now… what happens if I plug it into the PC directly? Nothing also. Doesn’t act like a host, a new connection, doesn’t do the dance ADB does, DOESN’T give me speeds that I like. WHEN I turn off the wireless in either case, of course I lose connection.
I haven’t a clue how to make VD say “ok, I’m plugged in to a router, oh THERE’S the PC with VD running on it, let’s go. Ethernet, ethernet ethernet!”
It just stays on the wireless connection. Naturally.
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SO NOW I have the pico through the adaptor, it’s showing up on the router, all the USB and ports on the adaptor work nicely (HDMI, cards, etc), and I can ping it sweeeeeeetly from my PC, command prompt for eg.
SO HOW do I now get Virtual Desktop to recognize the connection TO IT, THROUGH THE ROUTER, and give me that creamy 1-5ms (or in your images <15).What’s the NEXT STEP? Cos yeah, I’ve done what these videos are telling me, and need the next steps!
Cheers again! Very excited you got back to me! -
@Fresco get a Gigabit USB adaptor, or basic down to a 80W USB hub.
Nothing you can strap into PCI-Express, that I’ve found, has 25W+ that the Pico needs to stay upcharged.
I’ve got a USB QC hub with sata power going to it, it fails miserabley, so look out for one with at least PD. This standard gives you 20-100W. Likely hard to find an internal one. Then you have the problem of cords and hubs that don’t give you the connection you need (have you noticed some just don’t?)
Let me know if there’s anything else I can do/tell to help. -
@Jester428 The setup is absolutely simple.
You connect the network cable to the Gigabit access point, and the Gigabit access point to the USB-C ports of the Pico. The Gigabit access point I linked to earlier has a separate power socket, up to 60W, which is more than enough to keep the Pico’s battery charged. I power the access point from the Pico charger itself.
You turn on the Pico, and once inside you go to the configuration menu, to the network, and tell it to disconnect the Wifi.
You leave this menu, go back to the general menu of the Pico, and there you open, for example, the shop. You should see all the titles there, as if you were connected to the Wifi.
Now you use the normal procedure, you run Virtual Desktop, and you will see as if you were connected via Wifi.
You don’t have to download or run any external program neither on the Pico, nor on the PC.
Both in VD and SteamVR, increase the bitrate to the maximum, as well as the quality, now you won’t have any bandwidth problem in the connection between the Pico and the PC. -
@Fresco
well excellent! Actually this is grand. However I need to try this all out again to be sure…
I think I got no internet connection on the Pico, hence I will try sharing the wifi to that connection and try again.
I think I got nothing coming up on VD or SA when asking for the gigabit connection without wifi on.
I think I got ethernet showing up on PC AND in Router when Pico is plugged in so to confirm, Pico drivers, adaptor and cable integrity IS there…Let me try using my router as a passthrough and jam Pico and PC into THAT followed by router. If that works, a switch will also negate the issue of leaving my computer ethernet port dedicated to this…
Let’s see what gives tomorrow, starting with trying your input here once again.
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Hi , question to guys using USB ethernet adapter with PD.
I’m using this usb-ethernet adapter with Pico4 (latest firmware): https://www.amazon.pl/dp/B09MQDWP6H?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsUSB ID: 0bda:8153 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8153 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Can you guys have both battery charge and network connection going at the same time?
Here if power cable is plugged into adapter it just charges (no network), if I unplug power headset will connect to the network but it won’t charge battery even if power cable has been plugged in again after network connection has been established.
Problem with ALVR glitching and crashing on wired connection is just extra annoyance. -
@Xeno I have the same adapter. I had it plugged into the headset and attached to the headset , then a long cable for power. That worked for both Ethernet and charge at the same time, but I wanted just one cable as having Ethernet and usb to the headset was a bit heavy/kept catching on things.
If I move the Ethernet adapter off the headset and use a long cable for usb c, as soon as I power it, the Ethernet dies.
I tried a usb c cable with separate power too and had the same problem, and the same with. Usb c hub.
I got a new usb hub with gigabit and power delivery and it now works as expected - the usb hub sits nexts to my router, and a long usb c cable to my headset. Charge and Ethernet work at the same time.
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@rubbra Thanks for an answer can you link which USB hub you’re using?
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@Xeno errm, this one I think Belkin USB-C Multimedia Adapter (USB-C Hub with VGA, 4K HDMI, USB 3.0, Ethernet Ports) For MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, Surface Pro, Chromebook and more https://amzn.eu/d/4M8GtRx - but should work with any PD and Ethernet hub
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Hi, thanks for the hints. I’ve got networking part working with Belkin USB-C 1Gbps ethernet adapter:
https://www.amazon.pl/gp/product/B086SV2FK4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2R2221NX79QZP&th=1
but charging while play seems to be not really working. IE HMD says it’s connected and charging, but still discharges battery when playing even without streaming from PC. It was charged from original Pico power supply connected to the adapter. It looks like it limits power to what can be drawn from standard USB port. I assume that’s HMD limitation, it can do full speed recharge or use USB device. Is your setup able to keep your HMD battery from discharging? If so, may I ask you what’s your headset software revision? Mine is latest stable: 5.8.2.I’ve tried that adapter with laptop, it provided network and kept battery charged while CPU (Ryzen 5 2500) was 100% busy with playing 8k@60Hz HDR video from youtube. So adapter itself works as advertised.
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@Xeno Honestly, I’ve not looked, but at no point have I had a low battery notification, and I’ve done several quite long flying sessions (several hours), so I don’t think it’s discharging rapidly if it is at all. Some discharging is probably healthy for the battery, at a guess?
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@Razor161 I tried the tool on my quest 3 but it kept cutting out every few seconds, do you know what might be happening?
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@A-random-F
I have no idea. It works fine for me without any issues in my Pico 4. -
@Razor161 likely a problem with meta blocking data outputs to the usb port