I’m trying to fly in MSFS 2020, in VR with Beyond ATC using the Pimax Crystal Light HMD. After setting everything up in sequence BATC doesn’t work properly in VR. The sequence I used is as follows:-
I start off in 2D using my Acer display. I generate an operational flight plan with SimBrief, power up the Pimax and and see its green LED come on then open Pimax Play. I start BATC from the Desktop and watch it present its opening windows as far as the Fly! stage. I start MSFS and choose EGSH as Departure; I find myself correctly holding short of the active runway with the MSFS sounds coming from my speakers; I click Fly! in BATC and hear on the speakers an announcement from BATC that it has successfully loaded - at this point, in 2D, I see BATC’s Request options listed. I switch to VR and put on the Pimax HMD. I see in VR the expected 3D view from my position holding short of the runway. I hover the cursor over the MSFS drop-down toolbar and select BATC; the BATC panel appears giving me the Request options. I click on the Request Radio Check box and the box blinks - but after that there is no audible or visible response from BATC. I wait for several minutes but nothing changes regarding BATC. I remove the Pimax and immediatly hear the HMD say “S752DS Radio Check” then “S752DS receiving you loud and clear”.
It might help to say that I’ve been speaking to someone on BATC’s Discord Support channel and they haven’t solved the broblem yet. But in their last post they said the following ------ For my perspective your problem is in the Pimax software. BATC has no idea you are using a VR headset or what else you are using for sound, it passes the sound to Windows so any issues after that are between Windows and Pimax. I’d start with the Pimax forums. The key thing to tell them is BATC has no sound output settings, it relies on Windows. That your headset behaves differently between it being on your head or not is where your problem seems to be, none of the VR headsets I’ve used have cared if I have the headset on or not. Check the Pimax software for a setting that might be causing that.
First, check your headset is actually connected using the Pimax control panel; going through the Guidance section will check all is well. I have the Open Composite Runtime Switcher, switched to Pimax setting, NOT Steam. Also, the Pimax XR Runtime Control Centre with Pimax XR set. They can be minimised during play but do not make any other changes for now, they’re for playing with the graphic settings.
Check in your Windows Settings/System/Sound that the headset is recognised and select it - I usually have to manually set mine. You might need to try “Pair a new device” if you cannot see it.
Generate your Simbrief flight plan as normal and open the Sim and BATC. However, I think I’ve spotted your problem - you need to spawn at a gate or ramp, BATC doesn’t like spawning at the runway. Also, you don’t appear to have a flight plan entered into the Sim, although I’m not sure if this affects BATC.You can do this with Simbrief.
By following the Pimax installation guide, I found setting it up extremely simple and have no problems with it at all, including using BATC in VR, certainly much easier than the Pico4. Perhaps recheck in case you’ve missed something.
Hope this helps.
I would check if there is no separate sound device specified for BATC somewhere, to make sure BATC is using Crystal microphone and speakers.
Please remember (regarding the advice in the post directly above) - you don’t need Open Composite to use Crystal in MSFS.
First, check your headset is actually connected using the Pimax control panel; going through the Guidance section will check all is well. I have the Open Composite Runtime Switcher, switched to Pimax setting, NOT Steam. Also, the Pimax XR Runtime Control Centre with Pimax XR set. They can be minimised during play but do not make any other changes for now, they’re for playing with the graphic settings.
Check in your Windows Settings/System/Sound that the headset is recognised and select it - I usually have to manually set mine. You might need to try “Pair a new device” if you cannot see it.
Generate your Simbrief flight plan as normal and open the Sim and BATC. However, I think I’ve spotted your problem - you need to spawn at a gate or ramp, BATC doesn’t like spawning at the runway. Also, you don’t appear to have a flight plan entered into the Sim, although I’m not sure if this affects BATC.You can do this with Simbrief.
By following the Pimax installation guide, I found setting it up extremely simple and have no problems with it at all, including using BATC in VR, certainly much easier than the Pico4. Perhaps recheck in case you’ve missed something.
Hope this helps.
I’ll go through that, then have a look at the notes from stekusteku.
Terrylawdinn Hi there, this did the trick and after over a week struggling you have solved the problem. I did all that and the Pimax HMD worked nicely with BATC at the end. thanks for that. (https://forums.flightsimulator.com/u/stekusteku) Thank you also, your post helped me while I followed the earlier guidance. Well done to both of you; Strange I didn’t get such valuable advise from BATC Support!
Hi @CabriG28724
I have exactly the same problem as outlined by yourself.
Could you perhaps describe how you solved the problem?
For me BATC works fine in 2D but remains silent in VR, all other sound in VR is ok.
I am starting FS as mentioned at a gate rather on a runway as mentioned.
The annoying thing is that previously BATC worked fine in VR, I just can’t figure out what has changed.
Is there anything that I should be changing in Windows output sound settings re default communications speakers?
Many thanks
Al
As I mentioned earlier check your Windows sound settings, you may need to select the Pimax. I do it every time but that’s because I don’t want to set Pimax as default.
Hi Terry.
I think that I have got it solved (partially at least)
The curved ball was that I thought that BATC was not working in VR because I was receiving no response from BATC, although it was working ok in 2D.
Turns out it was working (in a fashion) although it was taking around 5-7 minutes to respond to each key action!!!
I had no idea that this was a problem as VR was running around 30 fps, without stutters etc.
Had A look at the toolbar and found that Navigraph charts was listed.
Deleted that and it made a huge difference. Still a bit laggy at times, but passable.
BTW I use a program Soundswitch https://soundswitch.aaflalo.me/ to switch between the PC speakers and the Pimax. You can set up a hotkey to work with it to make life a bit easier.
Cheers
Al