Setting up XR-3

To get started, log into Varjo Account Portal. If you don’t have a commercial Varjo Account yet, you can create one now.

Varjo Base is the software used to run your headset. It contains everything you need to use the headset on a Windows computer, including advanced presentation and developer tools.

Note that Varjo Base 3.0 or later is required to use XR-3. If you have an older version of Varjo Base, please download and install the latest version.

When you install Varjo Base for the first time, you may be prompted to also install Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 X64 Minimum Runtime.

Varjo Base will help you set up your headset. You can also follow along the setup steps on this page.

When you start Varjo Base for the first time, we will run a system check to confirm that your computer is compatible with the headset. See System requirements for more information.

In Varjo Base, log in with your Varjo Account to start setup.

You need a seat in a Varjo XR subscription to use XR-3. Varjo Base will check for a valid subscription when you log in. The subscription requires that your computer is connected to internet.

If your company has enabled Microsoft single sign-on with Varjo, you can also login using Microsoft SSO.

Note that if you are using your headset with an offline license, you will not need to log in.

When you start Varjo Base for the first time, it will automatically open the first-time user guide to help you through the setup process. You can open the guide at any time in the Support tab under Run setup.

Select your headset model to view detailed instructions on how to connect your headset.

When you connect the headset to your computer for the first time, Windows will recognize the headset as a new USB device and install the appropriate drivers.

A.  Two headset adapters

Headset cables  and : Connect each cable to a headset adapter.

Headset adapters: Connect each adapter to a DisplayPort port on the graphics card and to a USB-A 3.0 / 3.1 port on the motherboard.

Power supply units: Connect each unit to a headset adapter and to a power source using one of the included power plugs.

B. Two headset adapters with two third-party Mini DisplayPort–DisplayPort adapters

This cabling option is for laptops with two Mini DisplayPort ports routed directly to the GPU. You can use this option if two headset adapters were included with your headset.

Headset cables  and : Connect to the headset adapters.

Headset adapters: Connect each adapter to a Mini DisplayPort port with a Mini DisplayPort–DisplayPort adapter and to a USB-A 3.0 / 3.1 port on the laptop.

Note that the Mini DisplayPort–DisplayPort adapters must support 8K video and DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC). See the list of tested and compatible adapters.

Power supply units: Connect each unit to a headset adapter and to a power source using one of the included power plugs.

C.  One headset adapter

Headset cables  and : Connect each cable to the headset adapter.

Headset adapter: Connect the adapter to two DisplayPort ports on the graphics card and to two USB-A 3.0 / 3.1 ports on the motherboard.

Power supply unit: Connect the unit to the headset adapter and to a power source using one of the included power plugs.

D. One headset adapter with two third-party Mini DisplayPort–DisplayPort adapters

This cabling option is for laptops with two Mini DisplayPort ports routed directly to the GPU. You can use this option if only one headset adapter was included with your headset.

Headset cables  and : Connect to the headset adapter.

Headset adapter: Connect the adapter to two Mini DisplayPort ports with Mini DisplayPort–DisplayPort adapters and to two USB-A 3.0 / 3.1 ports on the laptop.

Note that the Mini DisplayPort–DisplayPort adapters must support 8K video and DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC). See the list of tested and compatible adapters.

Power supply unit: Connect the unit to the headset adapter and to a power source using one of the included power plugs.

E. Two laptop adapters sold separately in Varjo Store

This cabling option is for laptop computers and does not require the headset adapter(s) supplied with your headset.

Headset cables: Connect to the laptop adapters.

Laptop adapters: Connect to USB-C ports on the laptop. Note that the USB-C ports on the laptop must be routed directly to the dedicated NVIDIA GPU and include support for Alternate Mode.

Power supply units: Use the power supply units included with your headset. Connect each to a laptop adapter and to a power source using one of the included power plugs.

Varjo Base will automatically check that your headset firmware is up to date. If the firmware is not compatible with the current version of Varjo Base, you will be prompted to update the firmware.

Varjo Base will attempt to automatically enable the OpenXR runtime for Varjo headsets. If you have previously used an OpenXR-compatible headset on this computer, you may be prompted to enable the runtime manually.

Enable the runtime if you want to run OpenXR applications.

We recommend that you also enable Software updates and Crash reporting.

For applications that include sounds or voice input, you can plug in your headphones on the left side of the headset. Headphones with a standard 3.5mm audio jack are compatible with Varjo headsets.

If necessary, see instructions on how to select the correct audio output and input source on your Windows computer.

10. Set up tracking

Continue setup by selecting a tracking method for your headset. The Varjo XR-3 headset supports the following tracking systems:

1.  SteamVR™ Tracking uses up to four SteamVR™ base stations to track your headset and optional controllers.
2.  Varjo inside-out tracking (Beta) uses the built-in cameras on your headset to scan the room and keep track of your position.
3.  Third-party tracking methods can also be integrated with Varjo headsets.