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How to Set Up HTC Vive Full Body Tracking

Get your whole body in the game

By Jon Martindale Jon Martindale Writer Jon Martindale has been a feature tech writer for more than 10 years. He's written for publications such as Digital Trends, KitGuru, and ITProPortal. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 10, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide

What to Know

Buy and set up one or more wireless Vive Trackers.Pair the Vive trackers with your SteamVR install as additional controllers.Not all games support full-body VR tracking, and others will require additional setup to work. This guide will explain how to set up full-body tracking in HTC Vive games using Vive Tracker accessories.

How Do I Get Full Body Tracking in My HTC Vive

The best way to get full-body tracking—or as close as you can get with an HTC Vive—is with the official Vive tracker wireless accessories. These can be attached to various body parts, controllers, or external devices for improved functionality with your HTV Vive. In games that support Vive Tracker inputs, you can attach Vive Trackers to your wrists, ankles, and waist and track almost your entire body. Buy between one and five Vive trackers. Start SteamVR on your PC, and in the options menu, navigate to Devices > Pair Controller.
When prompted, select I want to pair a different kind of controller. Then select HTC Vive Tracker. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process. Repeat as necessary for however many Vive Trackers you want to use. Attach the Vive Tracker to whatever body part you want to track in-game. Alternatively, you can use it to track custom controllers like sports bats and rackets, guns, or attached to a pet's collar so you can make sure you don't step on them while playing. It can also be attached to an external camera to make mixed reality videos.
Play your favorite games to enjoy your full body in VR. Only a handful of SteamVR games support full-body tracking. Make sure the game you want to play supports it before buying Vive Trackers.

Does HTC Vive Have Full Body Tracking

The HTC Vive doesn't have full-body tracking with its default kit: only head and hand tracking. However, with Vive Trackers, you can expand the tracking capabilities to the entire body. There are also third-party accessories that can enable expanded body tracking for the HTC Vive. However, their support is even more limited than Vive Trackers, so be wary before buying into niche hardware options.

How Can I Improve My HTC Vive Tracking

HTC Vive Lighthouse sensors still offer the best tracking of any VR headset, but they are external sensors, which means occlusion can be a problem. Ensure your sensors are mounted up high and preferably in opposite corners of your play space to give them a complete view of your play area. It's a good idea to remove anything which could impede their line of sight, too. While playing, do your best not to get too close to the sensors, especially underneath them, or to turn into a tight corner where the sensors may not be able to see the headset or controllers. FAQ How many lighthouses are needed for full body tracking on HTC Vive? Technically, you only need two sensors for full-body tracking, but adding more sensors will improve accuracy. You can have up to four sensors in a room. How expensive is HTC Vive full body tracking? Expect to spend upward of $600 on an HTC Vive unit with full-body tracking. You can spend even more on extra accessories to improve the experience.
How high do the HTC Vive tracking stations have to be? Ideally, the base stations should be above the player's head, so two meters (about 6.5 feet) should suffice. Mount them at a 30-45 degree angle facing each other no farther than 5 meters (16.5 in) apart. Can I use HTC Vive without sensors? No. You can't use an HTC Vive without sensors, but you can get by with just one. However, you will be limited to forward-facing, seated VR experiences. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Set up the HTC Vive Headset HTC Vive Review: The Original Entry into Virtual Reality How to Use HTC Vive Without Sensors How to Set Up and Use Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 HTC Vive Pro Headset Review: The Best Consumer VR Metaverse vs. Virtual Reality: How They Differ and What That Means for You How to Display HTC Vive on TV Oculus Rift S Review: A Great Starter for VR Newcomers Oculus Rift Review: The Best Balanced VR Headset How to Set up and Use a Nintendo Switch Microphone 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a VR Headset How to Connect Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 to a PC Wirelessly Valve Index Review: The Best VR Headset You Can Buy Tips for Creating a Virtual Reality Room Vive Cosmos Review: A Good VR Headset with Stiff Competition The 9 Best Free VR Games of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies