Easy Head Tracking on a Budget

[@FOVAirsoft]

This might be the first time I've ever heard "you can use items you likely have at home" and actually had it at home.

[@brankojakobovic]

I'm starting to get into DCS and i was getting depressed by the price of IR trackers & VR sets. You sir are a legend. Thank you!

[@gabetower6165]

To be honest I'm actually transitioning from of VR headset to this just because of fatigue of running it. We are headset for the amount of time that you're in DCS. Just awful

[@ElliotSmh]

@@gabetower6165how does it function with helmet mounted displays and helicopter sights like the apache? its very hard to properly aim close enough for me. cant even aim a heat seeker with HMD

[@intra532]

180 bucks just to look around is insane. Thats like charging me a 180 dollars to blink in a video game by blinking in real life

[@sirrudy1233]

Im here for the same reason, does it work well?

[@firecat988]

Just tried this in DCS in a room with bright sunlight that TrackIR didn’t like. Opentrack worked like a dream

[@rocket2739]

Incredible, a working software and a great tutorial to go with it 😱 After looking for this for months, TYSM !!!! To everyone reading this : CUSTOMIZE the mapping curves to your taste !! For example, I have one setup which I call "full range" which covers almost the maximum ingame movements (shoulder to shoulder, and roof to thighs), and another "minimum" which, when I move my head a lot, only does minimal adjustments and is purely for comfort. When I go mining or sightseeing, I use my "full range" setup, and when I go and do missions, trading, or combat, I prefer the "minimum" setup. BONUS Tip : click on the middle of the slope to create a second point, which transforms the linear slopes into smoother and more rounded curves ; right click on it to make the point disappear.

[@keranao]

amazing solution for cheap tracking! thanks a lot for that! (and easy to setup, i mapped the curves as an "S" to have smoother moves (you just need to click on curve to have other "node" that you can play with))

[@Medi0cr3-]

Where's this at under mapping? Dont see anything

[@rvdy4638]

@@Medi0cr3- im hvaing the same issue, open track sets up find but couldnt find it in star citizen. did you find a fix?

[@fiveoneecho]

This is really cool! I was super excited that Star Citizen even tried any sort of implementation with a webcam for head tracking, and while that system tends to be a little slow to respond, this looks fantastic- and works for anything! I'm definitely going to have to try this in Elite.

[@Flyingwreck]

I rarely have a urge to comment, but I had to this time! Thanks for sharing this solution. I hate having IR caps on, so I made it work and never used it again. This will be a game changer for me!

[@EliseyRodriguez]

That's a really awesome and budget (well, free) solution. Thanks to you for highlighting such a great open source stuff.

[@wb2463]

Brilliant video! I heard of your channel when you were on the last episode of Space Tomato's podcast and then KZbin prompted me with an ad, so I came to see if your content was worth my time, and I'm happy to say you absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one. there's so few budget conscious videos when it comes to set up for these space sims (I'm an SC player), so this is much appreciated, keep it up!

[@acerad5168]

Once again proving why this channel is my go to for all things Elite! This is the last piece to my flight/space sim gaming set-up. Thanks Dave! 👍

[@krozareq]

As someone who prefers head tracking over eye tracking, this is a great option for space and flight simmers. Tinkered with a ESP32 WiFi board and a GY-521 accelerometer. Sewed it into a headband. Works well but this approach has obvious advantages. Nothing to put on, no batteries to deal with, and no WiFi latency (never had much issue here with simulators, but certain gamers may find it intolerable). While games can become desynchronized from what the external OpenTrack is telling it, this removes the variable of accelerometer drift from the equation. The weight is all in the batteries but to make it feel good it has to be balanced out on both sides by using 2 batteries. Was a fun project to do, but this clearly wins IMO. The only advantage of using a development board and accelerometers is it's more efficient on resources than decoding video that has to be processed through NeuralNet. Although with modern hardware, that's likely less of an issue.

[@burtpanzer]

So, can this method be used with a HTC headset or just with monitors? I have an older headset without trackers.

[@kashd960]

Saw this video in the morning, set it up as soon as I got back from work. This is awesome!

[@GeologyJournalism]

Exactly what I was looking for - and from one of my favorite KZbinr. Thank you so much, setting it up in one second.

[@peterschmitz4308]

I've been using for DCS and this is a great tool. You really did a great job at explaining how to customize. Thanks

[@flynnmiller4224]

Im looking into this for dcs and im wondering if when you move your head forward it zooms in like track IR

[@peterschmitz4308]

@@flynnmiller4224 Sorry, haven't been on YT in awhile. Yes, it tracks in the Z axis

[@JordanVogel-p3i]

Thanks Astro! Been really looking forward to this video. And to anyone who can't get opentrack to show the camera after clicking start, you may have to add an exception to your anti-vires to allow optrack access to your camera.

[@bigbrain3150]

When installing Opentrack, my windows defender antivirus strongly suggests it's a malicious program, are you 100% sure i can download it safely? I would really love to use this tracker, but i'm afraid of viruses :(

[@crimsonmug9106]

@@bigbrain3150 I've had it on my computer since the day this video was posted and haven't had an issue.

[@bigbrain3150]

@@crimsonmug9106 Thank you so much!

[@cptcarot]

Great, thanks for that. I have been looking at head tracking options. I've got a few spare webcam, so I'll be giving this a go. Love free/cheap solutions. 😉 Thanks 😊

[@josephwimerYoYoYo]

Ahh the wonder of opentrack! Glad to see a video from you on this neat little piece of software!

[@fluffy537]

WOW!!! This is great. Makes the immersion in Elite so much better.

[@r4microds]

If you have android 14 or later on your smartphone, you can plug it in and use your cameras as a webcam, plug and play, no drivers or anything required.

[@coviper0019]

This is amazing! I already have a Tobii for myself, however my son needs a solution so he can also have head tracking in Star Citizen!

[@alfatipo]

Just as FOVAirsoft below, I also has an older (25+ year Logitec) camera tucked away. Works like a charm. Now i just have to get used to it! Thankyou.

[@blackeagle5422]

This is AWESOME!! I'm going to configure this for sure. Thank you for this.

[@oreste1964]

Wow, years ago I tried a program like this with my camera but I wasn't successful, it all seems so easy to see you. I'll try again, thanks.

[@johnb9287]

Thank you very much for this video! My wife is happy you've just saved me hundreds of dollars!

[@CMDR_Padoh]

Wow, definitely be playing with that. Thanks Astro

[@jeffwright5303]

This is a game changer for SC, great setup instructions as always dummy proof.

[@zolaries04]

Oh man. Thank you so much for this! This will make things a lot easier! (looking at you gankers!)

[@AdastraRecordings]

Going straight to amazon to order a webcam, thanks for the tip.

[@dupasmokagaming700]

I have even managed to use my cellphone as a webcam - and it also works with this software! Today's evening I'm going to test how does it work. Super excited - not gonna lie :D

[@TheForce_Productions]

So, how it was?

[@dupasmokagaming700]

@@TheForce_Productions I need to say that pretty well. Actually I liked it that much that I have bought the cheapest webcam on a market ~5EUR - because I didn't want to use my phone for that.

[@Halz0holic]

This have improved so much since I last tried opentrack

[@Scrub_Ghost]

Amazing. Love this. I wish I could bookmark this for when I try it out.

[@Win_1073]

Thank you, i see others using smooth track but i dont want to spend any money but you did it for free thank you

[@ChrisM541]

This is fantastic. Huge thanks for the heads-up (pardon the pun).

[@cmdrclassified]

That's great! I personally use VR for ED, but I can see this being a benefit for those on a budget. It will give people a far better experience in a lot of games. And head tracking in ED also gets rid of the annoying camera movements in the cockpit (Which is why I find it hard to play on a monitor. I know, the irony is not lost on me! LOL) Have a great day, Sir! o7

[@josephwimerYoYoYo]

As much as I like the easy setup of a standard monitor and TrackIR5, when I tried ED in VR it was mind blowing. Getting out of the chair and standing on the deck of my ship and looking out through the windows was just jaw dropping.

[@cmdrclassified]

@@josephwimerYoYoYo I hear that! I was about 50 hrs in to ED when I found out it supported VR. By the time I was 65hrs in, I had the Oculus DK2! And I was hooked! Upgraded to the Rift, and now I am using the Pimax 5K+! I have over 7K hours now, and all in VR! I literally can't play the game in pancake vision now! Please feel free to tell me your thoughts on the game, and the hardware you're running. Have a great day, Commander! o7

[@thepathnotfound]

@@josephwimerYoYoYo playing ED you can walk around I your ship with VR ?

[@dropk1ck825]

@@thepathnotfound Pico 4 VR

[@Th3Bishop3]

Thanks so much for this Dave! There's alot of games I'd want to use this on as well as elite.

[@plflaherty1]

WOW! Thank you Sir!

[@ChadSutton]

Great information! I use OpenTrack, but I don't use the internal headtracking. It can really mess with my FPS in game by using too much CPU. Instead I use SmoothTrack on my phone, which does all the CPU intensive stuff there and just sends the XYZ data. It is much lighter and I get about 4-8 more FPS that way.

[@bubbles1525_]

4-8fps is nothing

[@ChadSutton]

@@bubbles1525_ Not on a lower end system! Every 10% improvement that I can get is a good thing :)

[@BeardofOz]

This is Amazing dude, thank you so much! o7

[@maxineloveman5519]

Perfect guide, thank you! Got it working amazingly in MSFS

[@entertainmenttonight5049]

Less than a year after your post -- a first for me. Thanks for the idea, just got a webcam for Windows Hello facial recognition for easier unlocking and now realized I could also use it for E:D!

[@burtpanzer]

I wouldn't use the MS Hello, tracking head movements doesn't require facial recognition.

[@SN3Gaming_]

I tried it awhile back and didn't like how it was working but I had no idea how to use the settings, so this guide really helps, I do want to try it on iracing too

[@MrTarrasque]

Installed it, woks very good. Thanks!

[@ComandanteJ]

This works fine for some games, specially games like Euro Truck Sim where your head movements are gentle. But I tried it for DCS, and the latency alone made it very annoying, not to mention that it only works with the lighs on. And for me, both this and Aitrack where a bit too jittery, and lose track too easily past some very slight angles. Made dogfighting in DCS worse than with just a hat controlling the viewpoint. For me, the best solution is an old webcam, specially sometving like the PS3 Eye, with the IR filter removed, and a TrackIr LED clip, either bought from Amazon or DIY. That gave me zero latency (that i could feel), and, while not perfect, its very stable with larger angles, and not jittery at all.

[@crosswindjones]

Do you use the TrackIR software with this solution? I agree though, the smoothness just isn't quite as good as the IR tracking approach "yet".

[@jodypresti94]

Serious bummer. Thanks for letting us know@@crosswindjones

[@BeastyBill88]

Great tutorial abd info, ive been looking at getting head tracking for American truck sim and Euro truck sim but didnt want to spend hundreds on the trackir or tobii. I tried it with my phone but couldnt get it to work but will definitely try with a webcam. Thanks!

[@5675venom0666]

Thank you so much for this video!!!

[@WalcirAugustoWehrle]

Thank you, great and simple explanation on how to use it !

[@bubo1]

got to say, this is pretty damn awesome

[@OurLifeisaMiracle]

THANK YOU! That is AWESOME!

[@stevenboughner7255]

I have a Tobii eye tracker which I really like but would try this on another monitor. Looks like it works well.

[@ghostabastard2208]

Thats awesome stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@graw4868]

Brilliant. Thanks. Worling for me on Elite Horizons with our old camera.

[@EricMcCoy]

Thanks, great concise video!

[@user57675]

Oh, they hit a new level? Great! Thank you!

[@BluesAdam]

Isn't technology amazing. I remember when I was a college student back in 2008, the only option was building a weird contraption with 3 IR leds strapped to your headset or cap. Even than tracking was iffy from time to time. Now with neural network and AI stuff, we can just do this with great ease. Amazing!

[@Jaaaarod]

That's what is I wants. Thank a lot dude :D.

[@strac2534]

Omg!!!!!!! tomorow i run in my attic looking for a web cam . Ty

[@cmdrc-dweller3103]

Awesome Astro. Will definitely try this. O7🙏

[@jimrooper9867]

wow thx a just sold my Vr ( not for me ) and this is great alternative. !

[@kosmouz]

thnx a lot! this is lifechanger.i will try it on DCS World and hopefully it will work on my bf109 like a magic.

[@jsstt]

loved this video, it works!! Any tip on how to improve input lag? Like, I turn my head, and it takes a bit long to track

[@RTMLaboratory]

Just give Headmob tracker app a try and you'll thank me later lol. It’s all free and you’ll be amazed at how accurate it is

[@daniko4447]

I set it up for IL-2 1946. Works just fine 👍

[@burtpanzer]

So, will this work with a headset or do you just use monitors?

[@daniko4447]

@@burtpanzer I don't think so, I just use a webcam

[@meddymonox4298]

great fast, easy explained big thank youu!!

[@gambapela3419]

I love it, I bought a webcam, I followed all your steps and now I enjoy Elite Dangerous more. Greetings from Spain o7

[@ThiagoTPK]

Oh man.... thanks for sharing that ! Going to try as soon possible :D o7

[@MrJustinz]

Great vid tysm ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@John_Krone]

Great solution and tutorial. Thanks

[@Viper_Playz]

you dont need a web cam, you can use your phone with some software such as droidcam! I couldn't get the software to work on my pc with the head tracker but i could get the obs addon to work! Just make sure you click the start virtual cam button on obs! (took me 20 mins to do that)

[@notchkali9892]

The thumbnail is hilarious 😂

[@stevens3174]

Brilliant!!! Thanks!!!!

[@kadimakalgar7087]

Awesome ! Thank you DEA 🤩!

[@Hasmo_]

TYSM IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS

[@gruntext]

Thank you so much.

[@blackspartan765]

Very informative good video

[@GUNSXGAMING]

Amazing video! Saved me hella money!

[@xsara253]

Good Job man!

[@CaptainBrash]

Awesome, I've been wondering about this stuff. Thanks for the video, will definitely give it a look. Do you find it valuable in combat scenarios or is it mostly just best for immersion while flying?

[@stefanhartmann3544]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@Dazza_Doo]

Thank you for this - I have Track IR, but it's not accurate in the Sun, Camera based tracking loves light. Star Citizen is doing the Face-Track with character mouth manipulation, but sometimes I prefer to be separate from the in game built in tracking.

[@JesterNR1]

This is pretty cool.

[@simonewing4222]

Awesome video, thankyou!

[@Peter0hneWolf]

its amazing thanks man! love you

[@quirkyMakes]

Thanks for the heads-up. (pun intended,lol) I had tried a program like this a few years ago and it didn't work. I'll give this a try.

[@1337Unlucky]

this is awesome ty! it worked out!

[@Hypnotic6]

Great dude one big 💓 for the video :0

[@gustavoramirez2167]

I use FaceTrackNoIR, and a PS3 EYE camera. Software was like 2 Euros and the camera at that time was 5 USD. Been using that for more than 2 years now in Elite, F1, truck sims, etc. Great to know there is an open source sw now. 100% a game changer, now I can´t play those without head tracking. My only complain, you do need your face well lit for it to work properly, so no gaming in the dark.

[@nathandavies2677]

Thank you!

[@julianking470]

Mate you are the best !!!

[@HarenunHoppus]

Cheap? I like cheap! I should test this

[@Toutvids]

Now use it in a dark room like most of us that game. Doesn't work for crap unless you buy an expensive cam with very good low light lense. Or use it when your camera isn't sitting right on your desk in front of you. Only youtube/twitch dorks play games with surgical lighting on and everything right in their face.

[@TonyBloke]

I've been using this for a couple of years, partly with E:D but mainly for ETS2, with the additional step of running AITrack to handle the input and pass it through to OpenTrack using 'UDP over Network' as the source, with the same output as you're using. Still haven't tried it with SC yet, but I don't forsee any hiccups. The only caveat with passing the input over the network is that running certain VPNs messes with it (hello Nord! Worked fine with PIA...) so need to be disabled when running this.

[@jjpom9538]

this is WAY awesome

[@warrior4452]

Hi just getting into this head track thing, well good vid. But can you tell how to un lock octopus from centre? bet its easy but cant see it

[@KelrCrow]

I know this is an older video now, but it's still useful. I did have a question though. Does this head tracker do OK with losing track of your face for a second? For example, Star Citizen's built in head tracker loses my face whenever I adjust my glasses or look fully away from the camera, and it's a pain to get it to "re-learn" where I am.

[@Ufol]

For some reason I can't see NeuralNet in the drop down at all for Open track EDIT: THIS HAS BEEN RESOLVED!!! Literally all I had to do was restart the program. If anyone else has this issue, that's the fix. At least it was for me

[@tosspot1305]

Happened to me. Thank you for posting your fix here

[@NFawc]

My beloved ED Tracker is no longer working properly. Drifting/moving all the time no matter what I try. Maybe time to use this method.

[@chefmarcg]

i got it all set up and it works, but i cant get it to work with star citizen. cant even find any info on how to do it. cant find a single tutorial or guide. im sure its some ingame setting, but i sure cannot figure it out

[@BenSollis]

This is awesome! I assumeif on a laptop we can use the built in webcam. I Must test :)

[@martinmenso6671]

Hey and great video! I have a question, is it possible to make OpenTrack reset or recenter when the head tracking is lost, perhaps even if the head tracking is lost for more than x amount seconds it will recenter? Thanks you

[@T_D_K45]

Trying this now, I tend to look and point with my mouse (mouse look in shooters), and would take a while maybe to change my game style. But I am intrigued if this works in other games. I don't really play other flight sims or driving games, but I am open to experiment and see what else this works with. This is an excellent and easy to follow video. However the curse that is Windows Defender Smartscreen is blocking this, hurrah. Hate Defender........ will perhaps have to try an older version. Try opentrack 2023.1.0 until the newer version is sorted.......

[@peterlustig8577]

Thanks for the awesome introduction to this little gimmick! Is there a reason why head-tracking devices are "mounted" below the monitor, or do they work just as good on top of a monitor?

[@yeahrightmate]

I have mine in the normal spot of my webcam and it works great.