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Virtual Reality (VR) Guides & Scheduling: Getting Started with VR

All things Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality. Have questions? Start here.

Getting Started with VR

This section provides an overview of how to set up, use, and maintain the VR headset for a seamless experience. It covers charging and preparing the device, creating a suitable play area, on-screen setup instructions, and safely ending each session. Additionally, it offers guidelines on cleaning and storing the headset to ensure longevity, with a caution to keep the device out of direct sunlight to avoid lens damage.

A step-by-step guide on how to set up and use VR devices:   

  1. Unplug headset from charging cable and remove from cabinet or storage case 

  2. Find a clear space of no less than 5’ x 5’

    • VR works best standing!

    • You can also use VR seated, but it may be more difficult to fully interact with simulations 

  3. Power on headset 

  4. Place headset on face and grab both hand controllers 

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish set up 

    • Pair controllers 

    • Adjust lens depth 

    • Adjust head strap fit 

    • Adjust lens spacing 

    • Create session passcode 

      • This will allow you to take a break from your VR sessions without losing your data. Your session will only end once you ‘end session’. 

    • Create playspace 

      • Look at floor

        • Important: If the purple cross hatches do not appear on the floor, touch the ground with one of the controllers. 

      • Confirm floor level 

      • Draw room scale boundary 

        • Using the trigger on either controller, trace a bounding box of ~5’ x 5’ around yourself.  

        • Select confirm 

  6. Press Meta Button to open menu to select VR application 

    • Learn more about available software programs in subsequent sessions of this document. 

 

Ending VR Sessions:

  1. Select red exit button in the bottom right corner of the menu 

  2. Select ‘end session’ 

  3. Power off headset

  4. Return headset to charging cart and attach headset to USB charging cable

 

Audio:

  • All VR devices use built-in speakers. Volume keys are located on the bottom of the headset. 

  • You can also use wired and wireless headphones with Meta VR devices. 

  • An AUX jack can be found on the side of the headset. 

  • Wireless/Bluetooth headphones 

    • Open menu using icon in bottom right corner of main screen 

    • Select ‘Bluetooth’ 

    • Select ‘Pair new device’

    • Put Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode 

    • Select device from menu 

    • Select ‘Pair’ 

 

Using VR Controllers: 

  • All VR programs/software use the same basic controller layout but function slightly differently. The best way to ‘learn’ how to use VR is to get in and give it a try!  

 

Cleaning: 

  • Use alcohol wipes to remove smudges on headset lens 

  • Use non-corrosive (Windex, Simple Green, etc) cleaners to clean body of headset 

 

Charging: 

  • VR headsets take between 2-3 hours to fully charge

  • Connect headset to charging cable after each use

 

Caution: Sunlight can cause irreversible damage to VR lenses. Never place a VR headset in direct sunlight.