Source
r/starcitizen•
AmazingFlightLizard

FOIP vs TrackIR

Okay, so I’m in the market for one or the other. I know TrackIR isn’t really working right now, so that’s disappointing, but when it is, it’s a pretty immersive thing. Then there’s FOIP, which the SC camera isn’t out yet, but there are a few cameras on the market (recommendations please) that track head position okay, whose main purpose is to be able to do FOIP calls, which I find kinda intriguing. I mostly want to use it as a camera to look around in the cockpit and such, since I know neither has the fine control for aiming guns. Both can look around the cockpit (though I assume a webcam isn’t as good) but TrackIR cant see me making goofy faces at my buddies. Which would you folks recommend?

Posted Jan 10, 2019, 1:33 AM UTC

717
Pie_Is_Better•

As Sean Tracy mentioned in an interview, TrackIR will always be better at tracking because it has a higher refresh rate - and some people do use it to aim.

Personally, if I was you, unless you really need it right this second, I'd wait and see how it goes with the branded camera and how much they develop the software side of it. They have already added dead zones and curves, which for me are totally necessary for good tracking. Hopefully, they will continue to expand on that, including properly hooking up TrackIR to your head like FOIP.

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AmazingFlightLizardOPaegis•

I mostly use fixed guns as I fly with a stick, but I also have a Reclaimer and a Starfarer loaner (for my M2).

I’ll admit I sorta feel like I’m missing out on content by not using FOIP. Also, head tracking does bring a certain situational awareness to the table, and being able to look all around without using controls feels pretty intuitive and makes for IMO a better experience. I’ve spent... more money than I probably should have on digital spaceships, and it’s nice to sometimes just enjoy the view from the seat.

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Pie_Is_Better•

Fixed stick pilot here too, and I should add: I have TrackIR and really like it, particularly after watching some videos with suggestions for setup (big dead zone so it has to be really deliberate before it moves).

It should work together with a camera as well, since you can turn the tracking part of the camera off. I'm waiting for the SC camera to determine whether I'll use both, or one or the other.

One pretty big advantage for a camera is, you don't have to have any other device attached to your head. Not too much of an issue if you use headphones 100% of the time.

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AmazingFlightLizardOPaegis•

Wait, so it’s possible to use both? Do we know of anyone doing this? it seems pretty amazing, if so.

1
Pie_Is_Better•

Good question, and I'm not certain - u/Bribase might know.

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Bribase•

As it stands you can use TrackIR and FOIP together at the same time.

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Core2029new user/low karma•

I bought a Logitech 920 webcam and the TrackIr head tracker to test out both. The head tracking on this 30fps camera is not gonna cut it for most, and I have my doubts about a 60fps+ replacement performing much better. TrackIr or a similar solution will be needed for that. For FOIP I think the 920 is pretty decent with a good angle and lighting.

I’ll definitely try the new Faceware camera when it’s ready but I’m not expecting miracles.

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FriendCalledFiveExplorer•

I have TrackIR and it works well (so long as you only use pitch and yaw tracking for SC), but I will wait for the Faceware camera or other webcams to get 60fps support and I will dump the TrackIR as I only use it for looking around and want the FOIP functionality. Currently the game only runs cameras at 30fps at most and it isn't pleasant.

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danreddaCompletionist•

One thing you could do is buy a cheap camera for now if you really want something for right now. Provided your room is lit, you should be able to have something to get by with until the future products come out and you can make a proper call. I got myself a $20 logitech webcam and it works pretty well provided I have my lights on. This will also allow you to experiment with FOIP as an option.

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GmasMoistCake•

I ended up buying the Razor Kiyo, it's a fairly common one, you see it just about as much as the Logitech 920. Kiyo is slightly better at 720-1080. It has some impressive lowlight and a built in light to illuminate your face. On my own software I get my 60fps, but for some reason SC only tracks at about 20-25fps.

At 25fps it kind of worked. I have this massive ultra wide monitor that's curved, so finding the exact center of that thing for the webcam was a bit tricky. I think it was off center because I had to slightly hold my head at an angle to center it. Having the ultrawide and looking left and right with the tracking was ideal. It mostly felt natural. Combat with gimbals and flying in general felt a bit weird, but that's mainly because I went from a static screen to now freely looking at targets while flying in space while aiming a gun. It's like focusing on one dot, then that dot splits to three and they all start moving.

Anyway long story short. If you can get the camera to record at 60fps at 720p you'll be fine. Even at 25 it was mostly smooth. So 30 should be good and 60 should be more than enough. As far as my camera recording at 25fps that has something to do with CIG. That or it has something to do with my windows settings. In any case most people recommend the c920 or the razor Kiyo.

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GrafAndrassyuser / very, very low karma•

FOIP is at the moment far from being on par with TackIR in terms of head tracking.

TrackIR works very well for me after some adjustments. The amount of possible adjustments in the TrackIR is very extensive. Also it has nearly no lag.

FOIP still misses many of these up to now. But this might change soon. Or at least once Faceware releases the announced camera.

However, I assume that the FOIP motion tracking will take comparatively way more CPU power than TrackIR needs.

Many cameras are not capable to work well in low light conditions like they are usual during gaming.

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AmazingFlightLizardOPaegis•

Thank guys. Ordered a c920 for me and my daughters to start. Gonna see what I can’t do with it and go from there.

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Core2029new user/low karma•

If you install Logitech Capture and cannot get Star Citizen to use your camera, uninstall the software. If you check the game log you'll see that Faceware detects camera #0 and #01 but always uses #01, a virtual camera that refuses to work. Uninstalling the Logitech software removes the virtual camera #01 allowing Star Citizen to work with #00

On a side note, if anyone knows how to make Forceware use camera #00 with a virtual #01 let me know.

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Pie_Is_Better•

By the way, how old are your girls? My 3.5 year old son loves this game, flying the ships a bit in 3rd person, and particularly driving the "rover" (Cyclone) around. He can really only use one stick at a time, so he has me do the other one.

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AmazingFlightLizardOPaegis•

15 and 16. They’ll be mouse users though. A stick is a pretty foreign thing to them, but they use KB/M a lot in various things. They love some Dino D-Day.

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Pie_Is_Better•

My son isn't quite ready for that, but he likes little racing games on an old iPad. I'll get him trained on sticks from a young age :)

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