The HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) headset and Vive Pre have been making headline news before the retail version is launched in April 2016 to take on Oculus Rift and Gear VR. Various details about the VR device's setup process including a Windows PC requirement, and key features including "room scale" for large tracked spaces were recently made known.    

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HTC's Vive Pre is a pre-lease of the consumer version. Vice President Raymond Pao recently provided more details about the VR headset during an interview with Engadget.

Vive's virtual reality system will include five pieces. They include a headset, two wireless controllers, and two "Lighthouse" laser-tracking base stations, according to Engadget.  

Requirements for Vive include a Microsoft OS such as Windows 10 and a powerful graphics card The Lighthouse hubs should be placed a little higher than the user's height, or about 2.2 meters in the United States.

The minimum play space dimensions vary based on the VR game.  A 4.5 x 4.5-meter room is usually enough, but a smaller 1.5 x 2-meter area is big enough when the gamer is seated.  

In fact, the headset can be set up for only standing or sit-down modes, according to Wareable. This is for Vive users with a minimum area to play VR games in.

When a play space is not a perfect square or rectangle, the Chaperone can solve the problem. It shows a gray overlay when gamers are close to hitting an object or wall in the real world, or they double-tap the controller's menu button.

The process is easier with the Vive Pre's new front-facing camera. Pao shared that HTC's goal is a total installation time between 30 and 45 minutes.

Vive Pre's headset is still wired. Pao explained that many companies have claimed they have the tech to solve the issues to turn it into a wireless device, but none of them have solved the problems.

HTC's Vice President explained that gamers are aware of the cable. In fact, the wire is less of a danger than the company thought it would be.   

The Taiwanese company is also working on a feature that will detect moving objects such as pets. However, few details are available.

Here's a hands-on for HTC Vive Pre: