Install and set up Oculus Rift - how it works

This practical tip shows you how to properly install and set up your Oculus Rift.

Oculus Rift: Connect the cable correctly

The first thing to do is to properly connect your Oculus Rift to your computer.

• The glasses themselves have two cables: a USB and an HDMI connector. First, connect the glasses' HDMI connector to an HDMI port on your computer's main graphics card.
• Then insert the USB plug of your glasses into a USB 3.0 socket on your computer. You can recognize this by the blue inner part.
• Finally, connect the sensor to another USB 3.0 socket.

Connect gamepad for the rift

In order to be able to better control games that you play with the Oculus Rift, you need a gamepad. Oculus delivers this in the form of an Xbox controller.

• Simply connect the controller's wireless adapter to a free USB slot.
• Then start your gamepad and connect it to the wireless adapter.

Oculus Rift: Install software

After connecting your Oculus Rift and accessories, install the software in the next step.

• After you have started your computer, download and install the setup program for your Rift from the Oculus homepage.
• After starting the program for the first time, you will now be asked to log in with a user account or to create a new account. You cannot skip this step because the glasses will not work without an Oculus account.
• Immediately after successful registration, the software starts downloading and installing the required drivers.

Set up Oculus Rift correctly

Once the drivers have been installed, the Oculus Rift setup starts automatically. The software will guide you step by step.

• First, you will be asked to turn on your Oculus remote control. To do this, wipe the back briefly and press any key.
• Then place the sensor so that it is aligned with your face. Here you have to decide whether you want to play sitting or standing for the time being.
• Finally, move the glasses back and forth in front of the sensor. You will now see a diagram on the screen that shows whether you are holding the glasses in the correct position.
• Your Oculus Rift setup is now complete. The software will ask you to set up your rift. You will then be shown a few text notes that you can skip by pressing the selection button on the remote control.

Find out what the Oculus Rift can do in the next practical tip.