local dimming - 30 Jun 2026

YouTube

VR Flight Sim Guy

discord announcement:  VR1 Tool 1.2.0

LOCAL DIMMING brightens QLED backlight spots specifically,
based on rendered video
- deeper blacks + higher contrast = more immersion.
- minimal blooming & glare;  more control and settings, industry first in many ways!

Local Dimming modes (OpenXR)
  (based on user preference or specific application):

• Linear - basic averaging algorithm applied everywhere.
• Dynamic - best contrast among darker and lighter areas.
• Natural - approximates human vision brightness response, but more artifacts.
• Medium - linear for darker, natural for lighter areas.
• Adjustable minimum black level - lower values for darker;
  more artifacts in high contrast areas. (First in the industry)
• Local Dimming Toggle by buttons (Settings - Headset - Buttons).

Support for VR controllers and inputs in OpenXR applications:
Only lighthouse-based controllers (HTC Vive, Valve Index) are supported,
pairing with VR1 via the standard SteamVR -> Devices -> Pair Controller menu.
SteamVR is required for communication interface to controllers,
but we recommend disabling the Somnium SteamVR Driver
to ensure controllers pairing correctly with Somnium OpenXR Runtime.

Note!  SteamVR version 1.16 does not correctly provide controller button inputs;
  update SteamVR to beta version 1.17 or downgrading to 1.15 or older.

3DoF IMU tracking (new) utilizes internal IMU sensors, without base stations.
Provides only 3DoF tracking (headset rotation, not translation).

Transparent Eye Tracking Calibration (Settings - Headset - Eyes)
(started from the Tool or with a headset button)
a simple calibration cross with uninterrupted VR in less than 1.5 seconds.
  Application:  recalibrate during flights or races, maintaining view.

internally

• Updated Somnium Service to 3.1.0
• Updated Somnium OpenXR Runtime to 1.4.0
• more robust OpenXR and SteamVR installation
  - faster status checks and installation checks.

Known issues

:
• 120 Hz image artifacts on some setups, still considered experimental.
• current Spacewarp functionality is experimental, not working correctly on all setups.
• (MSFS 2024) repeated switching between desktop and VR mode can impact performance/FPS.
  To recover, restart MSFS 2024.

warping Profile H - discord