Convert 2D Video into Reusable 3D Files

Use Convert to create a reusable stereoscopic 3D version of an ordinary 2D video file. The resulting file is not tied to the device selected in the Configuration Wizard: it can be copied to or opened from any device with a compatible 3D media player for the chosen file format and layout.

Temporal or Depth Guided in Convert

Convert does not need to keep pace with the source. Temporal and Depth Guided can therefore be used even when processing takes longer than the video. Select the method for the stereoscopic result you prefer, then allow for output resolution, output rate, encoding and parallel jobs when estimating completion time.

When a device or player accepts only Half layouts and maximum quality is selected, the Wizard can use an Upscaled Half output to retain more source detail. The resulting larger frame takes more processing and storage and should be used only when the intended player and display path can retain it. See Choosing Temporal or Depth Guided conversion.

Quick start with one video file

1. Choose a short, familiar 2D video file without black borders for the first test.
2. Click Convert and select the source video.
3. If the Configuration Wizard is enabled, select the intended device or viewing route and conversion preferences. Convert does not need the real-time proving used by Play and Stream.
4. Keep the default MKV output unless the intended player requires MP4.
5. Accept the suggested 3D output name or choose another new destination. Do not select the original 2D source as the destination.
6. Complete the conversion, then open the resulting file in a compatible 3D media player.
7. Select the same Side-by-Side or Top-and-Bottom layout in the player that was used for the converted output.

Check the result in the player: a converted file can be correct even when the player or display divides or scales its packed 3D frame incorrectly. Select the matching layout manually and keep the viewer at its default or best-fit aspect ratio. For source video with top-and-bottom borders, try SBS; for left-and-right borders or padded 4:3 video, try TB/OU. Establish a clean stereo image before changing depth settings. See “It looks wrong” troubleshooting.

Need help? Start with User FAQ & Troubleshooting. See Logs & Diagnostics, Error Codes (LVE0xx), and Licensing & Activation.

Quick troubleshooting: for common conversion questions see User FAQ → Conversion & playback compatibility. If you’re converting for a player that doesn’t support MKV (for example Bigscreen), see MP4 output instead of MKV. If conversion fails, include the standard support bundle from Logs & Diagnostics.

Release 6.1 optional NVIDIA acceleration

Depth Guided Convert can use optional NVIDIA acceleration on a compatible PC. This can reduce conversion time but does not alter the selected Quality or Performance mode, output layout or video encoder. The standard compatible Depth Guided path remains available. See the NVIDIA acceleration guide.

Convert a 2D video into a 3D file

This mode is accessed via the "Convert" menu button. Stream to 3D can convert most formats of 2D video files into 3D. The 3D video file output supports industry standards and is not specific to VR. In particular, note that Stream to 3D is an ordinary Windows desktop application and has no dependencies on VR software subsystems.

The files can be used with any device supporting 3D playback, e.g. by being loaded onto a VR headset (or accessed by a Windows share) and played back with VR media players (such as BigScreen, SKYBOX VR Video Player, Pigasus etc.), 3D TVs or 3D projectors (e.g. via Kodi, VLC Media Player, Nova Player etc).

The video below provides a comprehensive demonstration and tutorial on Stream to 3D's video file conversion capabilities from 2D to 3D:

Important: For GPU accelerated video encoding, FFmpeg has a dependency on your GPU graphics driver, so you need to make sure that your GPU graphics driver is up to date. You will receive an error from Stream to 3D, telling you to upgrade your graphics driver, during video conversion if there is a mismatch.

In addition to the video, the guidance below will also help you to get the most out of your Stream to 3D experience.

To convert a 2D video file into a 3D version, choose Convert and select the file. With the Wizard On, Stream to 3D asks the applicable conversion questions. Auto applies saved responses without repeating them. Off uses the current manual Format, Algorithm and Conversion settings.

Below is a simple scenario of converting a single 2D video to 3D, without the use of the Configuration Wizard. A more complex example involving batch conversion is described later.

Settings → Conversion

You can control video coding, GPU encoding, bitrate, audio, subtitles, output naming and parallel work through Settings > Conversion.

For detail on configuring video coding, GPU encoding and advanced options, see Streaming and Conversion Options.

By default, Stream to 3D includes the first audio stream and no subtitle streams. Use Audio Streams and Subtitles when the output needs a different selection.

Convert one video file

Choose Convert and select an ordinary 2D video. A text file containing one source path per line can instead start batch conversion.

With the Wizard On, choose Temporal or Depth Guided for the output. Convert has no real-time deadline, so either compatible method can be selected even when processing will take longer than the video.

After selecting the source and conversion preferences, choose the destination video file:

Keep the source video safe: use the suggested 3D output name or choose another new name. Do not click the original 2D source file in the Save dialog, because that would select it as the destination.

Output format and playback compatibility

Choose the output container for the player that will open the converted file:

For example, use MP4 for Bigscreen because it does not support MKV. Follow MP4 output instead of MKV to change the conversion settings.

Conversion of the video file will begin once you have selected the destination file name. You will be shown a progress bar detailing the time taken so far to convert the video, an estimate of the time remaining to complete, the percentage progress and the name of the file being converted. The Cancel button presented will allow you to cancel an in progress conversion.

Note that for high resolution, long duration videos or videos involving frame rate conversion, the process may take many hours. The time taken will also depend on the encoding scheme chosen, for example GPU accelerated encoding is much faster than software based, and the number of conversions being processed in parallel:

Once the video conversion process is complete, you will be offered the opportunity to play the converted version, via the green play button shown in the screen shot below:

Batch convert multiple 2D videos

Batch conversion starts from an editable text file containing one complete source-video path per line. Review the list before starting: remove videos you do not want to convert, avoid duplicate paths, and keep only source files that are accessible from the current PC.

You can create the list manually or generate it from a folder tree. Open Command Prompt, directly or in Windows Terminal, change to the source folder and run a command such as:

dir * /s/b | findstr \.mkv > listOfFilesToConvertTo3D.txt

This example creates listOfFilesToConvertTo3D.txt from MKV files in the current folder and its subfolders. Change \.mkv to another extension when required. The Release 6 example below uses \.mp4 with licensed Pexels sources:

Stream to 3D checks each listed filename using the current 3D file-name pattern and bypasses matching files that appear to be existing stereoscopic outputs. Review or change that rule under Settings > Format; see File Name Pattern for 3D Videos.

Use Settings > Conversion to choose whether results share one destination or stay beside their sources, the maximum number of parallel conversions, the output prefix and the MKV or MP4 container. The current Release 6 Conversion settings are shown earlier on this page.

Review these settings before starting a long batch.

With Store with Original disabled, Stream to 3D asks for one destination folder after you select the list. Enable it to store each result beside its corresponding source instead.

Max in Parallel controls how many conversions can run together. Additional parallel work can reduce total elapsed time on a capable PC, but it also increases processor, graphics, memory and storage demand. Start with one and increase it only after proving representative files.

File Name Prefix distinguishes generated files from their sources. The default is StreamTo3D.; leaving it blank may help a media player match title metadata, but the generated 3D filename must remain distinct from the 2D source.

MKV remains the recommended output container. Use the supplied MP4 configuration only when the intended player requires it; see MP4 output instead of MKV.

Batch conversion example

Choose Convert, change the source filter to List (.txt), then select the prepared list:

In this example, Store with Original is disabled, so Stream to 3D next asks for the shared destination folder:

During parallel conversion, the progress area rotates between active videos so you can review the current filename, elapsed time, estimated time remaining and percentage complete. Long or high-resolution sources can take many hours.

Cancel stops only the item currently displayed. Cancel All stops the remaining batch. Conversions that already completed remain recorded as successful.

Conversion results and support logs

When batch processing finishes or is cancelled, Stream to 3D reports the total number processed and separate counts for successful, cancelled and failed items. Open Log opens the batch report. The example below was deliberately cancelled after three files completed, demonstrating that completed results are preserved:

The CSV report records the date and time, outcome, source path, converted-file path and processing time for each item. A failed conversion also includes the path to its diagnostic log. Review the report before retrying only the cancelled or failed sources:

Convert a Live Source to a 3D file

Converting an existing 2D video file is the primary Convert workflow described above. As an additional option, editions that include Convert can record a PC screen, camera or capture-device Live Source as a 3D video file for later viewing. The Real-Time edition does not include Convert for either video files or Live Sources.

The resulting file is device-independent and can be used with any compatible 3D media player that supports its file format and SBS or TB layout.

1. Choose Convert and select the Live Sources shortcut in the source browser.
2. Create the default sources if prompted, then select the screen, camera or capture-device source.
3. Set the maximum capture duration and, for screen capture, choose the display or region.
4. Choose an output folder with enough free space and complete the normal conversion settings.

See Using a Live Source for timing, audio and output-folder guidance.

Return to Stream to 3D Documentation.