HTC VIVE Cosmos Elite User Guide

What’s inside the box?

Your VIVE Cosmos Elite comes with the following items, which you’ll use to experience immersive
VR environments:

What are the system requirements?

To use VIVE Cosmos Elite, your computer must meet the following system requirements.

Headset and Headphones

The cameras on the headset are sensitive. Do not cover or scratch the cameras. These
cameras are used for inside-out tracking and to view real surroundings when the headset is
using a supported front cover. By default, VIVE Cosmos Elite does not use these cameras and
needs base stations for tracking.

Front and Side View

1. Dual cameras
2. Front cover
3. Tracking sensor
4. Headset band
5. Top strap
6. Headset cable
7. Headset cable strip
   7 Headset and headphones
8. On-ear headphone
9. Side cameras
10. Status light
11. Headset button

Back and Bottom Views

1. Adjustment dial
2. Side cushion
3. Front pad
4. Mic
5. Visor
6. Nose rest
7. Interpupillary distance (IPD) knob
8. Face cushion frame
9. Face cushion
10. Back pad
11. Headset band

Inner view (face cushion frame removed)

1. Front cover lock button
2. Headset cable
3. Audio cable
4. USB Type-C cable slot
5. Lenses

Putting on the VIVE Cosmos Elite headset

Before wearing the headset for the first time, make sure to:
1. Peel off the protective film on the lenses.
2. Fully loosen the band and peel off the protective film starting from the left side of the band.

Adjusting the IPD on the headset

Inter-pupillary distance (IPD) is the distance between the centers of your pupils. A quick way to get an estimate is by facing a mirror and holding a millimeter ruler against your brow. Use this measurement as a guide to adjust the distance between the lenses of the headset so that you’ll have a better viewing experience. To increase the distance between the lenses, rotate the IPD knob clockwise. To decrease, rotate the IPD knob counterclockwise.

Connecting a USB device to VIVE Cosmos Elite

You can connect a compatible USB Type-C device to VIVE Cosmos Elite using a USB cable.

1. While holding the visor with one hand, pull up the band.

2. Detach the face cushion frame from the headset. To release the frame from its latches, gently pull on any side of the frame starting from the bottom, and then pull one side at a time on the top.

3. Insert the cable connector of the device into the USB Type-C port on the headset.

4.

Align and push the tabs on the face cushion frame into their corresponding slots on the headset. Make sure to position the ridge of the face cushion frame below the headset, audio, and USB cables. You’ll hear a click when the face cushion frame locks in place.

5. Connect the other end of the USB cable to USB Type-C device.

Removing the face cushions

You can remove the face cushions for cleaning. To learn how to clean the face cushion, see
Cleaning the face cushions on page 24.

1. To remove the face cushions, gently peel starting from the bottom ends of each face
   cushion until they detach from the face cushion frame.

To reattach, align one end of the face cushion with the marker on the bottom part of the
face cushion frame. Press down the face cushion against the outline of the frame, and then check that the other end of the face cushion lines up with the marker on the top part of the frame.

Removing the front and back pads

You can remove the front and back pads from the headset band for cleaning.
To remove the front and back pads, peel starting from the ends of each pad until they detach from the headset band.

Reattaching the front and back pads to the headset

Always make sure that the front and back pads are attached to the headset.

1. While holding the visor with one hand, pull up the band.

Starting from the middle, align the front pad tabs with their corresponding slots on the
band, and then press along the front pad. You may need to gently bend the ends of the
front pad to align the outermost tabs with the slots on the band.

Align the back pad tabs with their corresponding slots on the band, and then press along
the back pad to reattach.

Reattaching the headset cable strip to the back pad

The fabric strip guides the headset cable, and is inserted on the back pad.

1. Insert the back pad tabs second to the left-most corner tabs into the holes of the headset
   cable strip with its flap down. Make sure that the strip is firmly attached.

Detaching the top strap from the headset band

If you want to, you can detach the top strap from the headset band.

1. Starting from the rear of the headset band, pull down the strap to unhook it.
2. On the other end of the strap, pull down and out the strap to unhook it.

3. Reattach the front and back pads to the headset.

Cleaning the headset lenses

1. Use the cleaning cloth provided in the box to wipe the lenses.
2. Wipe in a circular motion from the center to the outer edges of the lenses.
   While cleaning the lenses, do not scratch the lenses nor disassemble other parts of the headset.

Cleaning the face cushions

1. Before cleaning the face cushions, remove it first from the VIVE Cosmos Elite headset.
2. When cleaning the face cushions, remember to:
   -Dampen a clean smooth cloth with cold water and gently wipe the area you want to clean.
   -Air dry at room temperature. Don’t tumble dry, iron, or expose it to direct sunlight.
   -Don’t scrub, wring, or bleach.
   -Don’t dip or soak in water.

Caring for your VIVE Cosmos Elite

Follow these tips to properly care for your VIVE Cosmos Elite.

Keep the headset lenses away from sharp objects, including cable tips. This will prevent
the headset lenses from being scratched.

• When not in use, store the headset in a cool, dark, and low humidity environment.
• When not in use, store the headset with the lenses pointed away from direct sunlight. Failure to do so may damage the headset display.
• When storing the headset, it is recommended to cover the lenses with the paper cover to help prevent accidental scratches.

Replacing the front cover

You can replace the front cover on the headset.

1. Slide down and hold the lock button inside the compartment to unlatch the front cover.
2. Pry open the front cover starting from the bottom right corner with the visor facing you.
3. Carefully pull out the front cover until it detaches from the visor.

4. Grab the replacement cover.
5. Insert the tabs on the front cover into the slots on the visor.

6. Press the right side of the front cover first, and then press the left side of the front cover.
7. With the front cover attached to the visor, press the center of the front cover.

8. Make sure to minimize the gap between the front cover and the visor, and that all tabs are fully locked into place.

What does the status light on the headset mean?

The status light turns:

• Green when the headset is in normal mode
• Dim green when the headset is on standby
• Red when the headset is in sleep mode

Headphones

Adjusting the fit of the on-ear headphones
While wearing the VIVE Cosmos Elite headset, adjust the on-ear headphones to a comfortable position over your ears, then press the headphones into place.

Is the fit too loose or tight? In case you feel pressure around your temples, adjust the position of the on-ear headphones for a more comfortable fit. To do so, flip open the metal clasp on each headphone and reposition the headphone clip on the headset band.

Detaching the on-ear headphones from the headset band

To use your own headphones with VIVE Cosmos Elite, you’ll need the replacement kit for
headphones. For details on how to order the kit, contact customer care.
Before using your own earphones, you first need to detach the on-ear headphones from the headset band.

1. On the right side of the band, disconnect the audio plug from the audio cable connector.
2. Remove the side cushions and front pad from the headset band.

3. On the front section of the band, carefully pull out the cable of the on-ear headphones from the groove.
4. On the left and right sides of the band, flip open the metal clasp of each headphone to detach it.

After detaching the on-ear headphones, you need to attach cable guides before plugging in your own earphones.

Reattaching the on-ear headphones to the headset band

You can reattach the on-ear headphones if you’ve used your own earphones with VIVE Cosmos Elite.

Before attaching the on-ear headphones to the headset band, do the following:

1. Remove the cable guides, screws, and rubber pad, which are part of the replacement kit for earphones, as well as the side cushions from the headset band.

Use a cross-shaped screwdriver (PH00) to detach the screws. Make sure to keep these
parts in a safe place.

1. Audio cable guide
2. Rubber pad
3. Screws
4. Side cushions
5. Headset cable guide
6. Cable stopper

Flip open the metal clasps on the left and right on-ear headphones.

Attaching the right on-ear headphone
Attach the right headphone with the audio plug to the right side of the headset band.

1. Hook the headphone clip over the top of the band.
   The screw holes and line marker on the band are helpful guides for positioning the clip.

2. Make sure the audio cable is firmly pressed and not falling out of the groove.

3. Make sure the audio cable runs under the band, and not over the top. Check that it isn’t
also wedged between the clip and the band.

4. Close the clasp around the band, and then snap into place.

5. Connect the audio cable connector to the headphone plug.

Attaching the left on-ear headphone
Attach the left headphone to the left side of the headset band.

1. Pin the headset cable along the cable guide on the left headphone.
2. Hook the headphone clip over the top of the band.
   The screw holes and line marker on the band are helpful guides for positioning the clip

3. Make sure the audio cable is firmly pressed in place and not falling out of the groove

4. Make sure that the stopper on the headset cable isn’t caught in the clasp, and is on the
visor side to prevent damage to the visor while gaming.

5. Make sure the audio cable runs under the band, and not over the top. Check that it isn’t
also wedged between the clip and the band.

6. Close the clasp around the band and snap into place.

Attaching the headphone audio cable

After the left and right on-ear headphones have been attached, attach the headphone audio
cable to the headset band.

1. Remove the front pad from the headset band.

2. On the front section of the band, press the audio cable marker into the slot at the center. Then press the cable along the groove until flush with the band.

Plugging in your earphones

If you prefer, you can use your own earphones with VIVE Cosmos Elite. To do this, you’ll need the replacement kit for earphones. Contact customer care for details on how to order it.

Attaching the cable guides to the headset band

To use your own headphones with VIVE Cosmos Elite, you’ll need the replacement kit for
headphones. For details on how to order the kit, contact customer care.
Before plugging in your earphones, you need to attach the audio cable guide and headset cable guide to the headset band. The cable guides are included in the replacement kit for earphones. Before you attach the cable guides, make sure to remove the on-ear headphones from the headset band, including the front pad and side cushions.

1. Audio cable guide
2. Rubber pad
3. Screws
4. Side cushions
5. Headset cable guide
6. Cable stopper

1. On the right side of the band, place the audio connector between the rubber pad and audio cable guide. Align the holes on the band, rubber pad, and audio cable guide, and then screw in place.
2. On the left side of the band, align the headset cable guide holes with the holes on the band, then screw in place. Make sure that the headset cable passes through the headset cable guide. The stopper on the headset cable must also be placed on the visor side of the cable guide.
3. Reattach the front pad and side cushions to the headset band. Make sure that each side cushion is aligned with the curvature on the band.

Detaching the cable guides from the headset band

If you want to reattach the on-ear headphones, you first need to detach the audio cable guide and headset cable guide from the headset band. The cable guides are included in the replacement kit for earphones. For details on how to order the replacement kit for earphones, contact customer care.
Make sure to keep these parts in a safe place.

Detaching the audio cable guide

You can remove the audio cable guide from the right side of the band.

1. Remove the side cushion.
2. Remove the screws using a cross-shaped screwdriver (PH00).
3. Remove the rubber pad that holds the audio cable connector against the audio cable
   guide.

1. Side cushion
2. Screws
3. Rubber pad
4. Audio connector
5. Audio cable guide

Detaching the headset cable guide

You can remove the headset cable guide from the left side of the band

1. Remove the side cushion.
2. Remove the screws using a cross-shaped screwdriver (PH00).
3. Detach the headset cable guide.

1. Side cushion
2. Screws
3. Cable stopper
4. Headset cable guide

Common solutions

I can’t place the on-ear headphones on my ears. What can I do?
You can move the position of the headphones along the headset band so they can be placed on your ears. Flip open the metal clasp on each headphone and reposition it on the headset band. You can also try adjusting the top strap and headset band so that you can position the on-ear headphones properly on your ears.

I can’t hear anything from the headphones. What can I do?
If there is no sound coming out of the headphones, go through the list below and see if it fixes the problem.
Check the following:

• Make sure the headphones are plugged into the 3.5mm audio cable connector of the headset.
• The volume level is not 0.
• Make sure the USB cable is connected to a USB 3.0 or higher port on your computer. If the USB cable is connected to a lower-speed USB port, move and plug it to a USB 3.0 or higher port. Restart the computer and converter.
• If the USB cable is already connected to a USB 3.0 or higher port on your computer, try switching to a different USB 3.0 or higher port. After switching, restart the computer and converter.

Can I use VIVE Cosmos Elite when SteamVR is in Safe mode?

No, you cannot. Make sure that SteamVR is not running in Safe mode before using VIVE Cosmos Elite.

Converter

About the converter for VIVE Cosmos Elite
Use the converter to connect the headset to your computer.

1 Headset cable port
2 Power port
3 DisplayPort cable
4 USB 3.0 cable

Connecting the headset to your computer via the converter

1. Connect the power adapter cable to its corresponding port on the converter for
   VIVE Cosmos Elite.
2. Plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet.
3. Connect the opposite end of the USB 3.0 cable to a USB 3.0 port on your computer.
4. Connect the other end of the DisplayPort cable to the DisplayPort port on the graphics card of your computer where the monitor is also connected. Do not connect the DisplayPort cable to ports on the motherboard.
5. Insert the headset cable connector (side with triangle mark up) to the port on the converter with the corresponding triangle mark.

Restarting the converter for VIVE Cosmos Elite

If you need to restart the converter, follow these steps.

1. Close the VIVE Console app as well as SteamVR app on your computer.
2. Unplug the power cable from the converter.
3. Wait for a few seconds, and then plug the power cable back in. On your computer, you
   might see a notification that drivers are being installed. Wait for the installation to finish.
4. To verify that VIVE hardware are detected, restart the VIVE Console app on your computer.

Can I use a laptop with VIVE Cosmos Elite?

As long as your laptop meets the system requirements, you can use it with VIVE Cosmos
Elite.
If your laptop does not have a DisplayPort port but has a Mini DisplayPort port instead,
you can use a Mini DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort adapter. If you require one, contact HTC
customer care.
A Mini DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort adapter may block another port on your laptop.

My computer monitor and headset are turned on but why can’t I
see anything?

Try the following steps to fix the problem.

1. Disconnect the headset cable from the converter.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Reconnect the headset cable to the converter.

HTC Vive Cosmos Elete User Manual