Mixed
Bild: Meta
Meta’s Air Link does not run smoothly on Windows 11 in some cases. But with a simple fix, you can achieve smooth streaming with Meta Quest 2 and Microsoft’s latest operating system.
With Air Link, you can wirelessly stream PC VR content to the Meta Quest 2 via a native app. This allows you to play graphically rich PC VR games with the otherwise standalone VR headset.
Although Microsoft has been offering Windows 11 for about half a year, Meta still recommends a computer with Windows 10 for Air Link. For good reason, because Air Link does not run ideally under Windows 11 in many cases.
Meta Quest 2 Air Link stutters under Windows 11
Anyone who has already given their computer a Windows upgrade will have encountered a major problem when using Air Link under Windows 11 for the first time: unpleasant judder.
Almost six months after the launch of Windows 11, there is still no official update from Meta that adapts Air Link to Windows 11. However, you can help yourself with a workaround. We’ll show you how to get Air Link working under Windows 11.
Here’s how to fix the stuttering of Air Link on Windows 11
Open the Oculus app for on your PC or laptop. Jump to the Oculus directory and open the Oculus Debug Tool [ODT]. By default, the file path is C:, Programs, OculusSupport, oculus-diagnostics.
First, launch the Oculus Debug Tool on your computer. | Image: MIXED
Open the “Service” tab and click on “Toggle console window visibility” in the dropdown menu. Confirm the request to restart the Oculus service. You must now keep the displayed console window open and active. Don’t close it, don’t minimize it. This is the only way Air Link will run without stuttering.
Confirm the restart request and let the console window that appears run in the foreground.| Image: MIXED
If you want to close the console window, you need to repeat the steps up to the Service tab drop-down menu and click “Toggle console window visibility” again.
Alternative to Air Link on Windows 11
As an alternative to Air Link for smooth Quest 2 streaming, we recommend the third-party app Virtual Desktop. It also runs smoothly under Windows 11 and Wi-Fi 6. Virtual Desktop is currently available from the Meta or SteamVR store for around $20. Developer Guy Godin recently released an update for Virtual Desktop that adds more features and supports hand tracking 2.0 for the Quest 2.
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In the v28 update for the Oculus quest 2, the new “Air Link” was shown off, which enables the streaming of PC VR content and games to the Oculus Quest 2. So we decided to do a little test/comparison on Air Link VS Virtual Desktop.
Which one should you choose? and whether you should wait before using Air link and buy Virtual Desktop? Many of your questions will be answered in this to the point post.
So keep reading…
“Air Link VS Virtual Desktop”
A MUST Read: Oculus Link Guide: How To Use Oculus Link | Oculus Link With Steam VR
The Settings and Equipments That I Used
For doing this comparison, I set the 2 applications with the same type of parameters whether for the bandwidth or the bitrate.
So that the comparison remains relevant with the greatest number of users, I stayed on fairly classic equipment: Laptop RTX 2060 and WIFI 5.
Air Link v/s VD: Latency
First of all, to begin with, I did not see a big difference in latency between the 2 methods
In both cases, I had between 29ms and 35ms of latency with an average of 32ms on Air Link and 33ms on Virtual desktop.
We are therefore within the margin of error and these results largely allow us to play in good conditions.
Air Link v/s VD: Image Quality
After checking the latency, I went to a test concerning the image quality and there, to my astonishment, I could see a difference against the air link.
As you can see in the image embedded above, you can see that the image quality of Air link is a little blurry compare to virtual desktop.
Finally, I checked the fluidity of the two methods knowing that for the moment the air link does not yet allow to display of 120 images per second when the Virtual desktop allows it.
Overall, I had better performance on Virtual desktop with a higher average FPS but I also had a few jerks at times.
The Air link side, was a bit less fluid but still stable which allowed me to go higher on the adjustment side and approach the image quality of the Virtual desktop.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
To summarize: For the moment, whether it’s fluidity or image quality, I find Virtual desktop a bit better.
However, Virtual desktop is paid while Air link is FREE and some titles do not work on it.
This is why I find the Air link to be an excellent solution, especially it is still in the beta phase.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here is the answer: If you already have virtual desktop, this is still a great solution for playing PCVR games over WiFi.
Still, if you haven’t bought it yet, I think it’s better to skip it and settle for the Air link.
If you choose Virtual Desktop then here’s a Step by Step Super Easy Guide: How to Play Steam VR Games on Oculus Quest Wirelessly Using Virtual Desktop
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