PC-powered 2D-to-3D conversion for PCVR

Stream to 3D takes a PC-centred approach to 2D-to-3D conversion. The Windows PC performs the conversion and produces standard stereoscopic output, while the headset and viewing software remain choices rather than proprietary requirements.

For the route matrix and links to each current guide, see Players and 3D Displays.

Four delivery routes

Play through a desktop viewer

Play converts the selected source while a supported Windows media player displays the stereoscopic result. A compatible desktop-viewing application then shows that Windows display in the headset and interprets the matching 3D layout.

• Bigscreen provides a social virtual-room and desktop route.
• Virtual Desktop provides a direct desktop route and a proved two-display Live Sources workflow.

This is the shortest path for real-time viewing because the converted image is already on the Windows desktop. Stream to 3D does not need to send its own network stream when Bigscreen or Virtual Desktop is showing that display.

Stream to a headset player

Stream converts and encodes on the PC, then sends the result across the local network to a compatible player. The current proved Quest example uses Pigasus URL Streaming over HTTP.

Stream adds encoding and network demand to conversion. The Wizard measures the PC-side conversion and encoding workload; it cannot prove Wi-Fi, firewall rules or the receiver's decoder.

Convert for later viewing

Convert creates a reusable SBS or TB/OU file. That file is independent of the device selected in the Wizard and can be opened by a compatible 3D player. SKYBOX VR is a current documented file-playback route.

Use a live PC screen or capture source

Live Sources can use a Windows display, camera or supported capture device instead of a prerecorded file. That source can feed an available Play, Stream or Convert workflow.

For screen capture, separate the original 2D display from the converted output display. Capturing the display that contains the converted result creates an infinite mirror. A real second monitor, dummy display adapter or suitable Windows-visible virtual monitor can provide the output surface.

Choose the conversion method for the job

Release 6 provides two complementary methods:

• Temporal is the established efficient method and supports a broad range of Windows hardware.
• Depth Guided is AI-assisted and can use the standard compatible graphics path or optional NVIDIA acceleration on supported PCs.

For Play and Stream, choose Compare and recommend when you want the Configuration Wizard to measure quality-ranked compatible choices against the selected source, output and complete PC-side workflow. A higher-cost method is not automatically a better real-time choice. Convert does not need to sustain real time, so it can use settings that take longer than the programme.

Standard stereoscopic output

Stream to 3D produces Side-by-Side or Top-and-Bottom/Over-Under views. The receiving viewer must select the same layout. Full layouts retain a full-resolution frame for each eye and cost more to display, encode and decode; half layouts pack both views into an ordinary frame size and are often the simplest compatibility starting point.

Start with a short clip and Half SBS. Prove the viewer's 3D mode, aspect ratio and performance before raising resolution or applying the settings to a library.

What PC processing does and does not prove

The Windows PC offers more processing and configuration headroom than a conversion path limited to a standalone headset. It also keeps source processing local to the PC. It does not remove the need to qualify the rest of the route: headset desktop encoding, Wi-Fi, receiver decoding, display layout and source protection can all affect the final experience.

Some protected browser or application video cannot be screen-captured. Stream to 3D does not bypass DRM or source-application capture restrictions.

Start here

1. Decide whether you want immediate desktop viewing, a direct network stream or a reusable file.
2. Open the matching Play, Stream or Convert guide.
3. Test one short familiar source in Half SBS.
4. Use the Wizard for real-time work.
5. Match the 3D mode in the headset viewer.

Inspect Release 6 examples, review the User FAQ and troubleshooting guide, or compare editions and purchase options.