Valve has released two new beta updates for its VR ecosystem: SteamVR 2.19.3 and SteamOS 0.5.9 for Steam Frame. Both updates focus on improving VR streaming, fixing graphical issues and introducing useful accessibility features.
What’s New in SteamVR 2.19.3?
The latest SteamVR beta brings several improvements, particularly for Linux users.
| Area | Improvements |
|---|---|
| Linux VR | Fixed right-eye flickering, distorted visuals and graphical corruption |
| Nvidia GPUs | Improved performance with wired headsets |
| Steam Link | Fixed mirror-window resolution and streaming issues |
| Startup | Fixed a possible startup lockup |
| Controllers | Fixed Gyro to Joystick Camera with Steam Input |
| Accessibility | Added Prism Correction for diplopia |
Valve has also improved streaming reliability and fixed brightness issues when running VR at high resolutions.
Valve Index users also get a new accessibility option: Prism Correction, which can be enabled through Advanced Settings under General > Accessibility. A SteamVR restart is required.
SteamOS 0.5.9 Beta Adds New Steam Frame Features
The Steam Frame update introduces several improvements, with camera passthrough being one of the most interesting additions.
Room View Gets Chroma Key Support
PC streaming now supports chroma key, allowing Room View to appear over VR content.
Users can configure this through the Camera section on their PC, choosing between two modes:
| Mode | Function |
|---|---|
| Protect Content | Protects content from the chroma key effect |
| Key Content | Allows games to use a key color to control Room View transparency |
This feature also requires the SteamVR beta to be enabled on the connected PC.
Other Steam Frame Improvements
The SteamOS 0.5.9 beta also includes:
- Foveated sharpening when streaming VR through Steam Link.
- Prism Correction accessibility settings.
- Fixed dashboard visual glitches in some games.
- Restored WebXR support in user-installed Chrome and Chromium.
- Fixed system lockups caused by certain Discover applications, including VLC.
- Improved performance overlay controls by linking related settings.
SteamVR has also been updated to version 2.19.3 on Steam Frame.
How to Get the New Beta Updates
SteamVR users can access version 2.19.3 through its beta branch.
To enable it:
- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click SteamVR.
- Select Properties.
- Open Game Versions & Betas.
- Choose the beta branch.
Steam Frame users can access SteamOS 0.5.9 through the corresponding beta update channel.
Valve Continues Improving Its Linux VR Ecosystem
These updates bring useful fixes for Linux VR users while making Steam Frame streaming more flexible.
The addition of chroma key support is particularly interesting, as it gives developers another way to integrate real-world camera views into VR experiences.
Although these are beta releases, they show Valve continuing to refine its VR software with improvements to stability, accessibility and streaming quality.
