3D movies are a fun treat on the big screen, but getting the same experience at home can seem daunting. There used to be3D TVs, but manufacturers stopped making them due to low sales. People with extensive collections of3D Blu-raysmight opt for a projector, as many modern varieties still feature 3D support with active-shutter glasses.
Coming by 3D content can be tricky, though, as most streaming services and devices do not support 3D playback. And for people who don’t have the space to set up a projector, it can seem like watching content in 3D is totally out of reach. There is one other way to experience 3D at home, though, and in truth it blows every other option out of the water. Including 3D at the cinema. That option isvirtual reality.
VR is already, in a sense, a 3D, stereoscopic format, delivering slightly different images to each eye, through a wide lens, to simulate the feeling of being inside a three-dimensional world. And thankfully, there are a few different ways to watch 3D content usingVR devices, though depending on the device, it can still be tricky.
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Why 3D in VR?
The virtual cinema experience
There’s nothing that can replace a good TV at home. They’re straightforward, convenient, can be watched by more than one person at the same time without any fuss, and with the right model, movies can look amazing. Better than the cinema in many cases. By comparison, VR headsets can be a pain. The user has to wear the device, which can be heavy, for long stretches. Battery life can leave a lot to be desired, and depending on the device, it might require a direct, wired connection to a PC or gaming console.
For movie buffs looking to watch 3D movies, VR is a great option, though there are still complications.
Despite the drawbacks, VR is an incredible way to watch movies and TV at home. Throw on a headset, and the user becomes immersed in a whole different world, including virtual cinemas and other venues in which to watch content on virtual screens that can be made to feel IMAX-sized or even larger. Resolution on some headsets can leave something to be desired if the goal is getting the sharpest quality picture, but the immersive effect can easily outweigh the drawbacks.
When I owned a Meta Quest 2, I loved parking myself in the Bigscreen app’s virtual campsite drive-in theater to watch movies of all kinds. It felt remarkably like watching movies in an actual cinema, right from the comfort of my couch, or bed, or wherever I happened to be. Better still, because VR is already a stereoscopic system, displaying 3D video is a natural fit. The device simply displays the corresponding content for each eye, producing an incredible 3D effect that feels just like the cinema, and often way better.
For movie buffs looking to watch 3D movies, VR is a great option, though there are still complications. For example, it is very difficult to get 3D Blu-rays to play directly in a VR system. In the end, there are three main ways to watch 3D content in VR: on PlayStation VR, Meta and other VR systems, and the Apple Vision Pro
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Watching 3D on PSVR
The easiest way to watch 3D Blu-rays
PlayStation VR
The PlayStation VR is an add-on for Sony’s popular PlayStation line of consoles that allows players to engage in virtual reality games and content. It comes with a VR headset and appropriate controllers to help players feel as if they’re in the game.
The most reliable way to see 3D movies is to buy 3D Blu-rays. Unfortunately, with the decline of 3D TVs, and projectors not being a good option for many people, there is really only one other solution. That is, the original PlayStation VR, connected to a PS4.
Here’s what you’ll need to watch 3D on a PSVR:
The PSVR did not originally support 3D Blu-ray playback, but support was added in an update after release. This has led some to hope that Sony will add similar functionality to the PSVR 2, though the company has not indicated any interest in doing so.
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Watching 3D on a standard VR headset
The Meta Quest and other devices are great for 3D, with a catch
Meta Quest 3
The Meta Quest is the most popular VR headset on the market, and it is great for 3D. The same is true of other VR devices like the HTV Vive Pro, and others. To watch 3D content on these typical VR headsets is theoretically very simple.
Here’s how to do it:
The Catch:There is one significant catch when it comes to watching 3D content on standard VR devices, and that’s the lack of content available legally for digital streaming or download. To watch movies in 3D, users have turn to less savory sources, or find ways to rip and convert their 3D Blu-rays into 3D SBS or OU digital files. An app calledBD3D3MK3Dcan help with that, but it’s a cumbersome process, and only works on Windows PCs. Still, with a BD-ROM drive connected to a PC, it can be done, and the results are fantastic.
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Watching 3D on Apple Vision Pro
The best 3D on the market, period
Apple Vision Pro
If the goal is to watch 3D content in VR at the highest possible quality and without any fuss, the best and most expensive option is the Apple Vision Pro. Released in 2023, Apple’s first and so far only VR headset is a technological marvel, with some of the most impressive screens in a VR device, and an almost unparalleled virtual experience.
The TV app has over 150 3D titles available to rent or own, viewable exclusively on the Apple Vision Pro.
Though the Apple Vision Pro does not support, 3D SBS and OU video files can be streamed to the device using various apps like Moon Player. There are even enterprising users who have made apps to convert 3D Blu-rays to a format compatible with Apple Vision Pro.
The great thing about the Apple Vision Pro, though, is that users don’t actually need to go through all that trouble to access high-quality 3D content.
TheTV apphas over 150 3D titles available to rent or own, viewable exclusively on the Apple Vision Pro. On top of that, other streamers have included 3D in their Apple Vision Pro apps. That includesDisney+, which has a whole suite of 3D movies available, including Avatar, Finding Nemo, and more. TheIMAXapp for Apple Vision Pro is able to stream classic IMAX documentaries in their full IMAX-size glory, and in 3D, including A Beautiful Planet. Other apps featuring 3D content exclusive to Apple Vision Pro include Max and Mubi.
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The way forward
VR is the future of 3D
Watching movies in 3D is a lot of fun, but it hasn’t been so easily accessible outside of movie theaters. With 3D TVs no longer being made, and projectors not always an option, VR is the real future of 3D. There are various ways of watching 3D in VR, with the Apple Vision Pro being far and away the easiest and highest quality option, but here’s hoping support for 3D in VR continues to grow.
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