The Meta Quest can now be used as a display for HDMI devices

19.08.2024

Meta has launched a new app for the Quest 3, 2, and Pro, allowing these headsets to be used as screens for consoles, laptops, or any device with video output capabilities. While the free Meta Quest HDMI Link app does require additional hardware, it’s still a relatively cost-effective way to repurpose the headset instead of purchasing single-purpose video glasses that can be just as expensive.

In a post on the Meta Quest Blog today, the company cautions that getting this setup to work isn’t as straightforward as using Air Link, which allows Quest headsets to stream video from a PC over Wi-Fi. Rather than simply plugging a PS5, Pixel 9, or laptop directly into the Quest’s USB-C port with a cable, you’ll need to incorporate a UVC (USB Video Class) and UAC (USB Audio Class) compatible 1080p capture card into the setup.

These capture cards are now as compact as USB flash drives and can cost under $20 (Note: The Verge has not tested this or any of the current offerings on Amazon). They typically feature an HDMI port on one end and a USB-A or USB-C connection on the other. Some capture cards even include an extra port for a power adapter, allowing the Quest to stay charged while in use.

Once the Meta Quest HDMI Link app is installed on a supported Quest headset, you connect a video source device to the capture card’s input using the necessary cable (USB-C to HDMI, Lightning to HDMI, etc.), and then connect that dongle directly to the headset. After granting the necessary permissions when the Quest boots up, the video from the connected device can be viewed with “near-zero latency” on a floating, resizable screen.

Resolution is limited to 1080p at 60fps, but the app allows the Quest to deliver a big-screen experience without needing a projector, or to position the video feed in a smaller window alongside other apps. While future versions of the Quest headset might offer similar built-in functionality by natively supporting standards like DisplayPort over USB-C, the dongle approach provides an easy way to bring this capability to existing hardware.