How to Watch VR180, 3D, and 3D-VR Videos: Required Software and Equipment

Hardware Requirements

• VR Devices:

  • High-End Headsets:

    • Meta Quest series (Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest Pro)

    • PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2)

    • Pico series (e.g., Pico 4)

  • PCVR Headsets:

    • HTC Vive series

    • Valve Index

    • Oculus Rift S

  • Mobile VR:

    • Use a smartphone-compatible VR viewer (e.g., Google Cardboard or similar products).

• 3D Displays:

  • 3D-enabled TVs or monitors (requires 3D glasses).

• Smartphones:

  • Watch VR or 3D videos directly on the phone or with a VR viewer.

Software Support

PC Software

• SteamVR: Allows you to connect VR headsets to a PC for playing 3D or VR videos.

• Whirligig: Supports various VR video formats, including VR180, 3D Side-by-Side (SBS), and Over-Under.

• Simple VR Video Player: A user-friendly VR video player compatible with various formats.

• VLC Media Player: Can play basic 3D videos with plugins but has limited VR support.

Mobile Apps

• YouTube VR: Directly watch VR180 or 3D videos (requires VR-compatible devices).

• DeoVR: A powerful app supporting various VR formats, available for Android, iOS, and PC.

• VeeR VR: Focuses on VR content with support for VR180 and 3D playback.

• Skybox VR Player: Plays local 3D/VR videos and streams videos to VR headsets via Wi-Fi.

VR Platform Applications

• Meta Quest Built-in Player: Supports common VR formats.

• Plex VR: Ideal for users with a media server, enabling streaming of 3D and VR videos.

Viewing Formats and Setup

• VR180:

  • Videos are typically in SBS (Side-by-Side) format.

  • Choose "180° mode" or "SBS mode" in your VR headset.

• 3D Videos:

  • Available in Side-by-Side (SBS) or Over-Under formats.

  • Use a compatible player and select the appropriate mode.

• 3D VR Videos:

  • Full 360° immersive videos, requiring a VR headset.

  • Choose the "3D 360°" mode.

Recommended Platforms

• YouTube VR: A large collection of free VR180 and 3D content.

• VeeR VR: Premium paid/free content.

• Oculus Store/Meta Store: Download compatible players or VR content.

• Steam: Access VR video software and short films.

Tips for the Best Experience

• Ensure your device has sufficient decoding capabilities to handle high-resolution videos (e.g., 4K or higher).

• Use comfortable headsets and fine-tune player settings to reduce motion sickness.

• Common video file formats include MKV and MP4 (H.264/H.265 encoding).

In addition, regarding the format of the video, many people have reported that there will be error messages when encoding on traditional players. Please ensure that your PC or mobile player has a relatively comprehensive encoder installation. If it cannot be played, please try to change the playback player (it is currently known that gopro player can play all my videos). In order to get a better viewing experience, I will use the highest bit rate and best image quality I can output for future videos.

Thank you again for your support!