The Oculus Quest 2 is one of the most popular virtual reality headsets on the market. One of the key features of the Quest 2 is its use of Asynchronous Spacewarp (ASW) technology. In this blog post, we’ll explore what ASW mode in VR is, how it works, and why it’s important for virtual reality gaming.
ASW is a technique that was developed by Oculus to help improve the performance of virtual reality games. When a VR game is running, the headset needs to display a high-resolution image at a high frame rate to give the user a smooth, seamless experience.
However, this can be a challenge for even the most powerful gaming computers, as rendering high-quality VR graphics requires a lot of computing power.
What is ASW in gaming?
Asynchronous Spacewarp works by reducing the number of frames that need to be rendered by the computer. Normally, the computer would need to render 90 frames per second to match the refresh rate of the Quest 2 display. With ASW, however, the computer can render fewer frames per second and the headset can use an algorithm to fill in the gaps. This creates the illusion of a smooth, high-quality image even when the computer isn’t actually rendering as many frames as it should be.
ASW uses a combination of motion estimation and image interpolation to create these “fake” frames. Motion estimation is a technique that analyzes the movement of objects in a scene to determine how they should move from one frame to the next. Image interpolation is a technique that fills in the gaps between two frames by creating new frames that blend the two existing frames together.
The end result of ASW is that the Quest 2 is able to display high-quality VR graphics even when the computer isn’t capable of rendering them in real-time. This is important because it allows more people to enjoy VR gaming without needing to invest in expensive hardware. Additionally, ASW helps to reduce motion sickness in VR by creating a smoother, more stable image that is less likely to cause nausea or discomfort.
How do I enable ASW in Quest 2?
Enabling ASW on the Quest 2 is a simple process. Here’s how to do it:
- Put on your Quest 2 headset and navigate to the Settings menu.
- Scroll down to the “Device” section and select “Experimental Features”.
- Look for the “ASW” option and toggle it on.
Once you’ve enabled ASW, your Quest 2 will use the technology to improve the performance of VR games. However, it’s worth noting that ASW can have an impact on the visual quality of games. In some cases, you may notice artifacts or blurriness in the image as a result of ASW’s image interpolation. If you experience any issues with ASW, you can always turn it off by following the same steps and toggling the ASW option off.
What is the default ASW mode?
The default ASW mode on the Oculus Quest 2 is “Auto”. This means that the headset will automatically switch between different ASW modes based on the performance of the game and the capabilities of your computer.
There are three different ASW modes:
- Off: This mode disables ASW and runs the game at the full refresh rate of the headset, which is 90Hz on Quest 2.
- 1/2: In this mode, the computer only needs to render half as many frames as the refresh rate of the headset. ASW then fills in the gaps to create a smooth image.
- 1/4: This mode reduces the frame rate even further to one-quarter of the refresh rate of the headset. ASW again fills in the gaps to create a smooth image.
When ASW is set to Auto, Quest 2 will automatically choose the best mode based on the performance of the game and the capabilities of your computer. This allows the headset to balance visual quality and performance to provide the best possible VR experience.
Does ASW work on Oculus link?
Yes, ASW works on Oculus Link, which allows you to connect your Quest 2 to a VR-ready PC and play PC VR games.
When using Oculus Link, ASW is handled by the PC rather than the Quest 2 headset. This means that the performance of ASW will depend on the capabilities of your PC. To enable ASW on Oculus Link, you will need to access the graphics settings in the PC VR game you are playing and look for ASW options within those settings.
It’s important to note that ASW on Oculus Link requires a powerful gaming PC, as rendering high-quality VR graphics at a high frame rate can be demanding on computer hardware. If you have a lower-end PC, ASW may not be able to improve the performance of your VR games significantly.
How do I permanently disable ASW?
If you want to permanently disable ASW on your Oculus Quest 2 headset, you can do so by following these steps:
- Put on your Quest 2 headset and navigate to the Settings menu.
- Scroll down to the “Device” section and select “Experimental Features”.
- Look for the “ASW” option and toggle it off.
Once you turn off ASW, the headset will no longer use this technology to improve the performance of VR games. This means that you may experience more stuttering or lag in games, especially if your computer or the game itself struggles to maintain a high frame rate.
It’s worth noting that turning off ASW is not recommended unless you have a specific reason to do so, such as troubleshooting an issue with a particular game. ASW is designed to improve the performance and comfort of VR games, and disabling it may lead to a less enjoyable experience. If you do choose to disable ASW, you can always turn it back on by following the same steps and toggling the ASW option on.
Final thoughts
ASW is an important technology that allows the Oculus Quest 2 to display high-quality VR graphics even when the computer isn’t capable of rendering them in real time. By using a combination of motion estimation and image interpolation, ASW creates the illusion of a smooth, seamless image that is less likely to cause motion sickness. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just someone looking to dip their toes into the world of VR, ASW is an essential feature that can help improve your overall experience.