USB 3.0 Eye Tracking Module Setup

hi , sorry to say i got it wrong just double checked and that is 320x480 @ 60 using AMcap

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Hi everyone,
I have been reading the Pimax threads for a long time since I got my first Pimax 5k+ (202 and 203). However, this will be my first post. Not sure if it was already mentioned, however just wanted to let you know that in my case USB C to USB C cables did not work in achieving 120mhz. As per the guide, USB-C to USB-A works. Get a good USB C to USB A cable like it is mentioned in the guide and don’t take a gamble like I did, hoping it works. I have spent the whole day testing USB-C to USB-C cables and I can’t seem to make the motherboard’s USB C 3.1 gen 2 (10GB speed) port to recognise the eye tracker as USB 3 (only 640x480 30 Mhz). Initially I was sure it’s something wrong with my motherboard (MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon), however after many updates, changes in BIOS settings, numerous trials and errors nothing changed. However, funny enough I did get 120mhz on that USB C 3.1 gen 2 motherboard port by using a Macbook hub (USB C to USB A) and then connecting to that hub an USB A cable. So the motherboard’s port is not at fault.
I will keep the cables for now and try again once I install the X570 motherboard (waiting for the zen 3 CPU), however I highly doubt it will work.
I did some limited testing with the eye tracker only on the Pimax 8kX with an RTX3080 FE and only by playing a bit of Elite Dangerous (not a good game to start my testing I know). However, I used aggressive FVR and for me it was useable even with 30mhz. However, I wonder if anybody else noticed this: while I did not see an improvement in the fps per say, the eye tracked area did look like it had increased fps (much more smoother) compared to when not using the eye tracker.
Kind Regards,
Pat

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So the eye tracker works for 8kx 120 hz and not for 8k+ 5k+ etc ?

Unfortunately only the 8kX has the advertised Usb 3 interface. All non 8kX pimax headsets are Usb 2 only. Even though the KS spec’d usb 3. Even the website initially stated usb 3.

Pimax says there working on trying to get 120hz working on non 8kX headsets and fix the current usb 3 to work properly on the 8kX as atm the 120hz does not work on it either. Requiring a seperate Usb-C to Usb A 3.x cable to PC.

Were you a pimax KS Backer?

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Hi Heliosurge,
That’s why I did not even bother to test the eye tracker on the 202 & 203 (5k+) for now. The bottom port on my 202 does not even work. Whatever you connect in that bottom port starts to heat up quickly, therefore I never risk connecting anything, as I am too worried it will fry the headset. However, at the time when I bought it second hand, the difference between 202 and 203 was not even an issue (or at least I was not aware of it). I am glad I kept it though, because with that last Alpha update (specific for 202) it can reach 110Mhz both on normal and large FOV. Very grateful to the Pimax engineers for that!

That being said, even if they get 120mhz working with the eye tracker directly connected to the 8KX, if they don’t do something about the heat, for me it is not useable. I am waiting for the long USB-C to USB-A cable to arrive tomorrow. My hope is that by connecting the eye tracker to the PC the eye tracker will not heat up as much. My PIMAX 8KX headset already reaches 40-42 degrees C in some areas outside on the casing and 45 degree C in one area on the inside, between the lenses right above the nose cover. And while it does not go above that with the eye tracker installed, the metal edges on the eye tracker do heat up and I would not risk my eyes for long in that setting with that heat so close to the eyes.

I was not a Pimax KS Backer.

Kind Regards,
Pat

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That is concerning with both. Bottom port not working on 202 and the 203? Is heating up with bottom port? Wondering if something is assembled wrong.

I haven’t bothered testing my ET yet due to all the reported issues and extra usb cable required to use it(not very modular).

An update to ET firmware or pitool is supposed to reduce heat. If you 8kX is getting warm like that doesn’t sound good either. Are you using latest 8kX firmware? I think it is 294.

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As I said, I got the same behavior with 1.0.0.8 too. Do I need a 3.1 gen2 cable or a 3.1 gen1 would work? I can’t find in shop near me, so I have to buy it on amazon. A 3m cable is gen1, I can only find shorter gen2 cables.

Thank you Heliosurge. I was not using the latest firmware. I thought 293 from 01.09.20 was the latest one. I am going to install the 294 beta now.

With regards to the bottom port issues, only the 202 has problems. The 203 works perfectly fine. For instance, my 202 used to have some audio crackling issues that eventually got fixed with an update. However, until the update fixed it, I was connecting the VIVE DAS headphones via an USB C converter. If I connected the USB C converter on the 202’s top port it worked fine . On the bottom port however, it just heats up the USB C converter and the port very quickly and I don’t get any sound. I tried several converters and all had the same issue on the bottom port so I stopped trying to avoid damaging it.

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thats enough, i’m using a 8m kit of that speed (5MBit, cable and repeater as two cables) sold as quest capable
on my 1st tries only a 1m 3.1 gen2 cable worked at full speed, 3 or 4 other cable i had around (all at least bought as usb 3.0/3.1gen1) did not work with full speed - either that module is extremely picky or there is a lot of bad cables sold

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I got the cable and now it works with 1.0.0.8, calibration completed, just need a bit of vertical offset so I hope it will be an option to manually adjust the calibration values.
Feel strange that it is detected correctly as Droloon Pi1 in device manager and 30hz but not working when connected on the bottom port of my 203 5k+. The top port instead got it detected wrong in the device manager. At least I know that it’s not defective, now I hunt for a 3080 at decent price and looking forward for the pitool updates.

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the best check seemed to be to use the program amcap and check if its capturing with 640x480@118Hz

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Did you try to change the orientation of the plug that goes into the eye-tracker? With the original short cable it does change mode from usb 2.0 to 3.0 if you change the side if the plug. Maybe worth a try?

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Hi Mr.uu,
Yes I did. I tried every variation, switching either way both at the motherboard port and at the eyetracker port. I even kept the headset next the back if my PC and tried each variation with the original short cable that comes with the eyetracker. Still it was 30 Mhz each time. The reason I am quite certain that my motherboard is not at fault is because it worked at 120Mhz from that same USB C port, once I connected the USB C Macbook hub (while connecting an USB-A cable into the Macbook hub).

Also as a separate update: With the 264 beta
update, the eyetracker heating does goes down to acceptable levels.

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So, Shoud i installl the eye tracker or wait ? is it working or just gimmick?

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This is where I’m at. Just received it for 8kx, but not sure if I should actually install it.

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Yeah same here. Mine arrived in August and I haven’t opened the box yet.

Progress on firmware & software seems to have stalled completely.

My biggest question is wether I should hold on to it and hope for the best, or send it back now, before any refund will be denied.

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you really expect them to refund after 3 month? in germany that is 2 weeks and i don’t think with less consumer friendly laws in china it will be 3 month or more (even warranty is only 1 year when buying from pimax directly in china)

the fact that it adds some blocked place in the eye relief area (eye lashes hitting the glas, you might need thicker foam to not having it pressed to you face), a 2nd layer of glas and also it blocks some areas of the lenses are good reasons to overthink the usefulness of the device, if you already have it and it works on the vr games you often play to squeeze out some extra frame rate its a maybe but the lack of any games using it as a device/input makes it of very low practical use, much more reliable to buy a new gpu if you want a higher frame rate
also the way it mounts and as it can get loose and shift around, the usb 3.0 120Hz, …
even for helping you with ipd and setting up the headset its useless
as long as its not integrated and used at least for convenience like setting up the headset in a optimal way i think its not more then a tool for vr developers and marketing people wanting to now what catches your eye

Edit: i wanted to add that the missing support in vr software is nothing pimax can be held responsible that’s mainly about valve/steam, open vr/xr, …and also the fact it is a real challenge for developers, not just on a technical level as if you imagine to have aim weapons manually compared to use eye tracking for this will give players with eye tracking a huge advantage that somehow needs to be compensated

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Honestly, I didn’t expect them to refund as soon as they took my money.

That being said, the product I received clearly isn’t the product that was advertised in the Pimax Now event. And from all I’ve read, it is far worse than the prototype I tried out last December. Pimax and 7invensum have been claiming to work on improvements, which could make it a useable add-on after all. So the problem is, when do we call it quits and apply for a refund that should be granted, but probably won’t - which makes it a theoretical issue.

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its kind of a shared thing between 7invensum and pimax (at least the backer units) and for that reason alone its not to expect to go easily
i did not have high expectations and there was a reason why backer got it much cheaper, same as the 5k+/8k its more of a extended beta test and you will have to take part of the risks
i retrospect, is the 8k+ what we pledged for, thats the final product after development and tests the lower tiers like 5k+ and Artisan are the byproducts of that
the eye tracking is not going to be add on for long term, to be useful in setup of idp and alignment of the headset it needs to be fixed and on a known position to do that, nor it is just slapped on the lenses by amateurs (us) doing it the 1st time without any control and its moving with the lenses around, gets squeezed be the housing of the hmd, the users face …
it anything it might be used as input device but that will not be much in games more special applications like virtual desktop or in PE (where handtracking is now implemented)
in general its to expect that eye tracking will lift off when it hits mass market and thats not pimax, thats valve or facebook and faceboot already dis its move with the quest2
eye tracking might come in with the varifocal displays a by product, for now the aim seem to be comfort and resolutio for the mass market, the later one is easier to sell then wide fov and comfort is a must as we can see with pimax, lots a martial when you look up pimax, its stil a “might work for you if you are lucky” and “you need to get used to it” and thats not going to work an casual VR usage, if using it for 1/2-1h make you feeling ill its not going to be a mass market product, even if bought it will not be used much

so what i want top say is lower the expectations, the use in apps does not really depends on pimax, it needs standards (open xr) and support in engine like unity and unreal AND TIME
look what it is about canted displays and parallel projection how far did that get in 1.5 years and thats for all sold pimax headsets, how much support in engines and by developers is to expect for a add on item to a pimax headset
realistic expectations are more useful and learning from the past (here i point to handtracking, thats a thing because facebook is pushing it with its newer headsets and as its per defaut available in a wider base it gets support and if net desirable then or useful then every user still has the controllers)

so if anyone wants to be on a hype train that accelerates then its handtrackind, we won’t se much with eye tracking as long as its not integrated be default in headsets, its much harder to use then handtracking, index controller and facebook controller try to emulate handtracking so its a convergence to the same and dev’s don’t have to decide what to choose, it supports finger tracking, then its also supports hand tracking, you cant say the same about eye tracking its a completely unique thing of its own as a input device

beside this i dont think hand tracking as we see it now will replace controllers so easiely, it has not haptic feedback and its speed and accuracy cant hold up like when pulling a trigger 3 times a second, its like joysticks, still around for special purpose and can’t be replaced by handtracking (ever seen a boing or airbus without a stick? more likely to be replaced by a force feedback ar-device or a bci)

bottom line, eye tracking is still for dev’s even when offered as a add on

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Well the thing is, I’m a dev - but in its current state it’s useless to me as well.

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