Using a VR headset with a PC (tethered VR)

You can run X-ray Pro VR, RadSafe VR and BirthWise VR in VR with a headset connected (tethered) to a VR-ready Windows PC. The PC runs the simulation and the headset shows the picture.

Tested headsets

HTC Vive, Vive Pro and Vive Pro 2, Valve Index, and Meta Quest using Link or Air Link. Other SteamVR headsets may work if they meet the requirements. Current list: What VR equipment will I need?

A VR-ready Windows PC

Check it against the VR section of PC Requirements and your headset maker's own minimum requirements. Macs cannot run VR.

Using your own Meta Quest?

The standalone versions of X-ray Pro VR and RadSafe VR only reach headsets that an institution has enrolled in its Meta organisation. Virtual Medical Coaching cannot add a personal Meta account. Your own Quest works when it is connected to a PC, as below.

Step 1: install the simulation on the PC

On the PC, log in to the Virtual Medical Coaching Web Portal and open Downloads.
Download the Windows version of your simulation (Radiography for X-ray Pro VR, Radiation Safety for RadSafe VR, Birthing for BirthWise VR) and run the installer to the end.

Step 2: connect your headset

Follow the section for your headset. Get it working in its own home environment before you open the simulation.

HTC Vive, Vive Pro, Vive Pro 2 or Valve Index (SteamVR)

Install Steam and SteamVR on the PC.
Set up the headset and any base stations as the manufacturer's guide shows, and connect the headset to the PC.
Open SteamVR and run Room Setup.
In SteamVR, open the menu, then Settings. Set Advanced Settings to Show, open Video and turn Pause VR when headset is idle Off.Highly recommended. When it is on, controllers can be invisible or the simulation may not start.
Keep only one OpenXR runtime active on the PC, so the simulation uses SteamVR.
Put the headset on and check both controllers appear and move in the SteamVR home.

More detail: Additional guidance for VR system configuration.

Meta Quest (Link cable or Air Link)

Install the Meta Horizon Link app on the PC and sign in. Meta's guide: How to set up Meta Horizon Link and Air Link.
Make sure the headset has the latest software. Meta requires this for Link.
In the Link app open Settings, then General. Turn on Unknown Sources and select Allow.Without this, Meta blocks the simulation as software it has not vetted. Meta's guide
Still in Settings, General: next to OpenXR Runtime, select Set Meta Horizon Link as active.Greyed out means it is already active. This stops controllers going dead in the simulation.
Plug a USB-C 3.2 cable (at least 5 Gbps) into a USB 3.2 port on the PC, then into the headset.
In the headset, press the Meta button, select Quick controls, then Link. Choose your PC and select Launch.
Set your floor level and boundary: Quick controls, Settings, Environment setup, Boundary.
In the Link home, check both controllers point and select. Use the controllers, not hand tracking.

Air Link (wireless): only with strong Wi-Fi

Air Link streams the simulation from the PC to the Quest over Wi-Fi, so it is only as good as your network. You need a strong, uncongested Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 network, with the headset close to the router. On older or busy home Wi-Fi it is often unreliable: lag, stutter, a blurry or zig-zag picture, or dropping out mid-simulation. If you see any of these, use a cable.

To use it: Meta button, Quick controls, Link, turn on Use Air Link, select your PC, select Pair, check the codes match, then Launch. When using a cable, keep Use Air Link off.

Step 3: start the simulation

Check the headset is connected and running: SteamVR open, or Link launched in the Quest.
On the PC, open the Web Portal in a browser and choose your simulation.
Click Launch VR simulation. Not Launch 2D simulation: that opens on the monitor only.
If asked to log in, log in with your browser on the PC.

If it goes wrong

What happens	What to do
An error about VR mode, or the launch keeps failing	The headset is not running. Open SteamVR, or launch Link in the Quest, then click Launch VR simulation again.
The simulation opens on the monitor, not in the headset	You clicked Launch 2D simulation. Click Launch VR simulation.
Controllers work in the headset home but not in the simulation	SteamVR: turn Pause VR when headset is idle Off (Controllers not working). Quest: set Meta Horizon Link as the OpenXR runtime. Then redo floor level and boundary.
"Software not vetted by Meta" (Quest)	Turn on Unknown Sources in the Meta Horizon Link app.
Link cannot find the Quest	Use a USB 3.2 port and a USB-C 3.2 cable. Turn Use Air Link off.
Air Link lags, stutters, blurs or drops out	Your Wi-Fi is not strong enough. Use a cable, or move closer to a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 router.

Still stuck?

Check the headset works in its own home environment (SteamVR or Link) first. Virtual Medical Coaching supports the simulation, not the headset, cable or PC.
Ask the chatbot: the Ask me anything box, bottom right of any Help Center page.
Still stuck? Submit a help ticket.

Help us fix it first time. A ticket that only says "it's not working" doesn't tell us what has gone wrong, so we can't fix it. We'll have to write back and ask for details, which slows everything down. Please include:

which simulation (X-ray Pro VR, RadSafe VR or BirthWise VR)
your headset model (for example HTC Vive Pro, Valve Index or Quest 3)
for a Quest: cable or Air Link
the exact message you see, word for word, or a screenshot or photo of it
which step above it stopped at
your log files from the PC

Submit a help ticket