MiraRoons VR Room Setup Guide
This is my own setup that has worked great for extending your Index to another room 30’ away as well as numerous tips from various guides on VR cable management. I’ve combined many of the recommendations and through my own playtesting have come up with a system that:
1) Reduces the amount of tension you feel on the headset
2) Enables you to walk around in room scale and not bump into the cord.
3) Provides maximum amount of reach in a 14’x14’ play area
My primary issue was I wanted to use a play space in a different room from the computer, so I needed to run cable extensions approximately 30’ under the house. I used the 33’ DisplayPort Cable and 30’ USB cable extensions listed below. Ran them under the house and up through a hole in the floor. Even with this length, the Index cord would begin at the corner of the room. This isn’t ideal as the cord will need to stretch diagonal across the room to provide a full range. The setup addresses this issue and reduces the tension felt from the pulley system to increase immersion.
Everyone will have their own unique setup since every room is different, where the cables need to originate, and daily use of the room. I’m still learning and really want the VR community to grow. I hope this helps someone have some of the same amazing experiences I’ve had in VR. THANK YOU to anyone that has posted guides and tips, I have learned from you all!
Good luck and have fun!
VR Cable System Hardware
[Pro Version] KIWI design VR Cable Management, 6 Packs Retractable Ceiling Pulley System for HTC Vive/HTC Vive Pro/Oculus Rift S/PS VR/Microsoft MR/Samsung Odyssey VR Accessories (Black):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VQZYN3M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2 sets. These are the primary pully system I use. I needed two sets to handle the extra pulleys needed for the size of the room and the height of the ceiling.
KEY-BAK Original Retractable Key Holder with a Black Front, Steel Belt Clip, Split Ring and Made in the USA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00506XUC4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
1 of the: 36" Kevlar (13 oz. Load)
2 of the: 48" Kevlar (8 oz. Load)
These are utilized with the KIWI system. They have additional strength to pull when needed to lift the extension-loop section as well as ensure the cable pulls up and back when you move TOWARDS where the cable originates.
CABLEDECONN Fiber 8K 4K DisplayPort Cable DP 1.4 HBR3 8K@60Hz 4K@144Hz High Speed 32.4Gbps Optical Fiber Slim and Flexible DP to DP Cable 10m 33ft:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V7NOST8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
1 cord. It is important the cable is able to handle 4K@144Hz for quality on the Index. They are expensive for a reason. Don’t go cheap here. Be careful when routing and try not to have sharply bend or damage the cable.
Cable Matters 2-Pack DisplayPort to DisplayPort Coupler (DisplayPort Female to Female Coupler)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YFPM2CU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Used to connect the extension DisplayPort Cable to the Index HMD cord. I've had no issues with the passive one above, but these are popular too:
Cable Matters DisplayPort Repeater (DisplayPort Signal Booster, DisplayPort Amplifier) with 8K Video Resolution for Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive Pro, Gaming Monitors and More https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-102039-DisplayPort-Repeater/dp/B07D949F59/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=DisplayPort+Coupler&qid=1582446858&s=electronics&sr=1-5
UGREEN USB Extension Cable USB 3.0 Male to Female Active Repeater Cable with Signal Amplifier Repeater for Printers, WiFi Antenna, Playstation, HTC Vive, Keyboard, Game Console (32FT):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FQ88CHS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
1 cord. Not sure if this cable can be different or not, but many of the reviews indicate they worked with VR headsets. I can confirm it works with the Index.
Vinyl Coated Screw-In Wall Hooks (6 needed) I bought these at a local HomeDepot. I just chose black to match the pulleys and the vinyl coated ones to potentially protect the WIKI attachment points. Here is something similar:
https://www.amazon.com/WaterLuu-Inches-Ceiling-Kitchen-Outdoor/dp/B07FCBRNWH/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=black+screw+hooks&qid=1582330299&sr=8-8
6 hooks.
Carabiners - 20 Pack Spring Snap Hook Carabiner Galvanized Steel Clip Keychain
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NZ4M81/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Used to attach the key holders to the hooks.
Room Scale VR Setup
Room dimensions: 14’ x 14’ with a ceiling of 8’6”
Standard measurements for hooks:
- 1st hook above origin point of cable is in the upper right corner of the room.
- 2nd hook is 45 degrees out towards the center of the room at 36”
- 3rd hook is 39” from 2nd hook
- 4th, 5th, and 6th hooks are the Y-setup. The “center point” of the Y-system is 39” from the 3rd hook. This is where the central ring will be if perfectly centered. The 3 hooks that form the Y-system are centered from this central point in a perfect triangle formation with each hook being 36” apart.
- Finally, the final “hook” is the central ring that is included in the KIWI cable systems.
Pulleys
1st hook utilizes the 36" Kevlar (13 oz. Load) key holder and one KIWI pulley. The heavier 13oz load is connected direct to the hook via a carabiner and is specifically used here to pull the cable tight back into the wall. With the cable fully extended across the room, the cable essentially lowers to head-level and even potentially lower. This strong pulley ensures it cable is retracted completely to avoid running back into the cable if you return towards the corner. It is rarely felt as its only used when at an extreme length. The KIWI is attached to the 36” Kevlar hook and has less tension so it allows for more immersion when just generally playing.
2nd hook is just two KIWI pulleys chained together.
The 3rd hook is an important part of the system as it does numerous things, so I will cover this section in a bit more detail.
3rd hook has two carabiners attached two 48" Kevlar (8 oz. Load) key holders. Attached to these are 1) a single KIWI pulley that attaches further along the cord that is responsible for cord slack and 2) a rubber band attached directly to the cord beneath the ring to pull the cord up.
First, the two 48” Kevlar 8oz key holders have slightly more strength than the KIWI system to pull up the KIWI pulley attached to the cable and the cable itself up and out of the way. It is always a fine balance of tension and strength, so stronger is not always the best solution.
Second, the additional KIWI pulley attached to the bottom rings of the two 48” Kevlar 8oz key holders is solely responsible to pulling in the slack of the cable. This is tension reduction method as its not lifting all of the cable before it. It is able to pull the cable back in tight when moving back towards the origin point; yet allows the cable slack to extend back own when moving away from the origin point.
Reducing tension is key to immersion.
4th, 5th, and 6th hooks form the Y-system with the center ring attached. The ring is part of the KIWI system and is again focused on reducing tension. If you just used a single hook for the last pulley before your Index HMD, then that hook is stationary no matter where you move, so there will always be some sort of tension pull.
However, if you use the Y-system, the last pulley is now mobile in the area within the triangle (the center of the Y-system). If you move in a direction, the central ring is tension is counter acted by the two other pulleys. It’s hard to explain, and I’m not a mechanical engineer, but it basically ends up being a zero sum of tension within the Y-system and this, reducing the amount of tension felt if you move close under the Y-system. Most of your gameplay will occur here anyways, as even with a 14’x14’ room, you will need to remain centered often.
The center of the Y-system system should be directly over the center of the playspace. I made the Y-system as large as possible, 36” from each hook, to maximize this area.
It works incrediblely well.
Final central ring (7th hook) is a single KIWI pulley attached to the central ring as the last attachment point of the cable system before the Index HMD.
Pulley Attachment Measurements
These are where the pulleys attach to the Index cord:
- 1st attachment for 1st hook pulleys: 50” from the end of the HMD cable (or 10” from the disconnect point)
- 2nd attachment for 2nd hook pulleys: 30” from 1st attachment point
- 3rd attachment for 3rd hook assembly: 43” from 2nd attachment point
- 4th attachment for the KIWI pulley (slack pulley) under the 3rd hook assembly: 34” from the 3rd attachment point.
- 5th final attachment point from the circle ring pulley: 34” from the 4th attachment point.
The remaining amount of cable should be approximately 29” to the back side of the Index HMD
General Setup and Use
When doing the room scale setup, I did not go the edge of the walls. Instead, I drew the lines approximately 18” from the walls to provide a buffer. This is important as during highly immersive movement games, it’s very easy to cross the chaperon boundry quickly going backwards or just charging forward into combat.
Center Mark on the Floor
I used duct tape and just some large metal washers and taped it to the ground. This provides a center point you can feel under your feet. There are other options like mats and pads. I did try a mat (Guardian Air Step Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat, Vinyl, 2'x3': https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018KTIB8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), but I found that I would tether myself to the mat often unconsciously. I wouldn’t “step-out” into the room scale of the room as often when using something smaller and less tactile like the duct tape. It’s hard to explain, but it wasn’t as immersive. Removing the pad and just using TurnSignal and the duct-tape/metal washer combo worked best.
Turn Signal
If you don’t have this app on Steam yet, get it. There might be better one day, but this helps to 1) reduce the risk of you twisting the cable too much by a visual representation of the cable twist in games and 2) provides an in-game reference point to the center of the room. It’s not nearly as immersive breaking as I first thought it would be and really helps to glance down quickly to get your bearings in a large space.
The two key features of reducing cable twist and providing an in-game reference point is invaluable. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s so good I’ve considered removing my center marks on the floor, but the center mark is still good for a tactile feel in general playing without having to glance down.
Miscellaneous
The television is covered by two workout mats. Easy to take off and on, not the best protection, but adds something just in case. When my wife and I play, one of us can sit in the room and watch what the other is playing. This is done by a second video cable running to the room and just acts as a mirrored display of the monitor in which I have VR view enabled (Full screen).
I also ran a second USB cord to a USB hub to support a wifi keyboard (link) and wifi adapter for an Xbox controller to play controller VR games. I didn’t want to use the same dedicated USB cord going to the headset. Probably not needed, but I like to eliminate ANY potential conflicts, data issues, power issues, etc when it comes to the pipeline straight to the Index HMD.
Fan
I have a Honeywell HT-900 fan attached to an Alexa smart plug. It makes it very easy to turn on and off with the Index HMD on while in VR. A fan is really critical to staying cool during long VR sessions as well as helping a little with the Index HMD heat. It also can reduce VR sickness.
The most important part is immersion. To have the fan on in Skyrim VR when in the snowy mountains is just an incredible immersive experience. Many other games give you the same experience since if you see wind or are in a windy location, the feeling of a fan in VR in amazing.
HMD Bar
This is the HMD bar I made so I can hang up the headset if I need to step away quickly. It’s a 1" x 2" piece of wood that I cut to approx 36” and painted black. The left hinge point is a washer on back and front with a long wood screw into the beam. The right side is a large screw hook with vinyl covering (grey piece) screwed into the end of the wood (predrill hole to prevent wood splinting) in which I hang the Index HMD. There is a wooden dowel cut to approx 36” that has a small screw and two washers attached on the outside edge so it can hang down freely. This is the primary way to lower and raise the bar as I needed something stiff to be able to put the bar up. The assembly is secured to the beam with the standard type of magnetic door catch you can get from any hardware store (example on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L41S5GG/)
Base Plate Vibration Reduction
This is the back of a base station mounting plate that I’ve added rubber o-rings and electrical tape to reduce the vibration noise. Its works great. O-rings are under the electrical tape around each screw hole. Electrical tape around many of the edges and then additional o-rings added to the corners. It’s messy, but totally works. The o-rings act as a rubber buffer instead of foam to absorb more vibration. Electrical tape since it has a natural flex to reduce vibrations and it‘s what I had available. I’ve found the base stations really need to be tight on the wall to help reduce vibration in the assembly.
Miscellaneous Room Hardware:
Plug in Wall Sconces Lamp, Tausende Swing Arm Wall Lamp with On/Off Switch Metal Black Wall Mounted Reading Light Fixture for Indoor Bedroom Bedside - Set of 2:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SPFTSSC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I needed something I could plug in and move if needed and didn’t require me to rip up the wall. These are also adjustable to directly lighting to where it’s needed. 2 pairs.
Smart Light Bulbs, Aoycocr BR30 Dimmable LED Light Bulbs, 720 Lumen, Tunable White 2700K - 9000K,9 (80W Equivalent) No Hub Required, Wi-Fi, E26 Base (4 Pack):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VCRJ9ZM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These are controlled via Alexa. I can turn them all on and off with a single command. They have adjustable brightness, and most importantly, I can turn them all red when I play VR. Having the room in red (or green as my wife likes) adds to the immersion as when you accidentally peak under the HMD, everything is a single color so it’s not as distracting as a full color floor. You can even adjust the level of brightness.
[2020 Upgraded] Black Cable Concealer, 157in Cable Cover, PVC Wire Duct - Wire Channel to Hide Cords for TV and and Computer in Home, Office - 10X L15.7in W0.91in H0.51in:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QQPXRMC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cheap, but they work. There are better looking options available, but these do the job. Just gives everything a cleaner look, lights and base stations, so when friends are over its not a mess of wires. 3 sets.
SONGMICS Set of 3 Foldable Storage Boxes with Lids, Fabric Cubes with Label Holders, Storage Bins Organiser, 11.8 x 15.7 x 9.8 Inches, Black URLB40H:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P5M9SJQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have this setup for when I need to put the headset away for a while. I have to take down the pulleys so it can reach the box, so it’s not stored in the box often. It’s secured to the wall with small screws.
WALI Floating Wall Mounted Shelf with Strengthened Tempered Glasses for DVD Players, Cable Boxes, Games Consoles, TV Accessories (CS303), 3 Shelves, Black:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JQGQFNE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Plugable Active DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter - Connect Any DisplayPort-Enabled PC or Tablet to an HDMI Enabled Monitor, TV or Projector for Ultra-HD Video Streaming (HDMI 2.0 up to 4K 3840x2160 @60Hz):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S0C7QO8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Used to convert the extra DisplayPort Cable to HDMI for the television so others can watch the VR Display on the TV in the same room.
Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan Blackhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R1RXUG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I probably went through 3 fans before I settle on this since its one of the quieter ones available.
Have fun and lets keep the VR community growing!
Submitted by MiraRoons | #Specialdealer Special Offer Online Shopping Store 2016
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