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Stream to 3D by IWAHDK LTD

Virtual Desktop Dual-Display PC Screen Capture Walkthrough

Updated

This walkthrough shows how to watch live PC-screen content in 3D through Virtual Desktop. The 2D source stays on one Windows display while Stream to 3D puts the converted 3D view on another. The second display can be a real monitor or a Windows-visible HDMI/DisplayPort dummy display adapter.

About the demonstration video. It was recorded from inside a Quest headset during the Live Sources beta. The two-display arrangement and the result remain useful, but Release 5.5 now creates and manages Live Sources inside Stream to 3D. Use Screen Capture.s3dsc; the separate creator utility and older filename shown in the recording are no longer part of the current workflow.

Why two displays are needed

One display carries the original 2D browser, player or application. The other carries the converted SBS or TB view. If Stream to 3D captures the display that contains its own converted playback, the result is an infinite mirror or repeated-window effect.

Configure Windows to extend the desktop. Do not duplicate or mirror the displays. Confirm that Windows Display settings show two separate display numbers before opening Stream to 3D.

Display options

  • Two physical displays: use the main display for the 2D source and the second for converted playback.
  • One display plus a dummy adapter: connect a suitable HDMI or DisplayPort dummy display adapter so Windows creates a second display.
  • A virtual monitor: this can work only when it appears as a separate numbered display in Windows and Virtual Desktop can select it independently.

A 4K-capable output display can hold a 1080p-per-eye Full SBS view. The source display does not need to run at 4K for a 1080p source; capturing an unnecessarily large source display adds work without adding source detail.

Set up Windows and Virtual Desktop

If you need help adding a Virtual Desktop virtual monitor, the community member who helped prove this workflow shared the third-party video Multiple Monitors With Virtual Desktop. Virtual Desktop's interface may change; after following it, return to Windows Display settings and confirm that the source and output are separately numbered displays.

  1. Connect the second monitor or dummy display adapter.
  2. In Windows Display settings, select Extend these displays and identify the source and output display numbers.
  3. Start Virtual Desktop Streamer on the PC and connect from the headset.
  4. Add or select the second display in Virtual Desktop. Use its display-switch or swap control if the wrong Windows display is presented as the 3D view.
  5. Leave the Virtual Desktop 3D mode off while arranging Windows applications.

Start live screen conversion

  1. Open the browser or 2D media player on the source display and prepare the content.
  2. Open Stream to 3D on the output display.
  3. Choose Play, open Live Sources and select Screen Capture.s3dsc.
  4. Confirm the Live Capture Details settings.
  5. In Screen Capture Settings, select the source display. Do not select the output display.
  6. Complete the Configuration Wizard for the headset and select an output layout supported by Virtual Desktop.
  7. Start playback, keep the converted playback window on the output display and make it full screen.
  8. In Virtual Desktop, view the output display and enable the matching Full SBS, Half SBS or TB mode.

Use Play for this workflow. The Stream button is for sending converted video over a network protocol to a compatible media player; it is not required for Virtual Desktop to show the converted Windows display.

Quest-recorded demonstration

The recording shows a laptop using an HDMI dummy display as the second Windows display. A 2D video plays on the main display, Stream to 3D places the converted output on the dummy display, and Virtual Desktop switches the headset view to the matching 3D format.

Troubleshooting

  • Infinite mirror or repeated windows: the output display is being captured. Select the other display in Screen Capture Settings.
  • The correct display is not shown in the headset: use Virtual Desktop's display switch or swap control, then enable 3D mode on the output display.
  • Playback stutters, drops frames or appears to run too quickly: start with a 1080p source display and a moderate capture frame rate. Increase resolution or frame rate only after the basic setup is smooth.
  • The headset shows two separate images: select the Virtual Desktop 3D mode that matches the SBS or TB layout produced by Stream to 3D.
  • Audio repeats or echoes: keep source audio and converted playback audio on separate Windows output paths. Follow the Virtual Desktop audio guidance.
  • The source is black: Windows or the source application may be preventing capture of protected content.

Live conversion introduces some delay and is best proven with video before trying latency-sensitive interactive content.

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