Samsung Gear VR | video playback tips

I just ordered a Samsung Gear VR, a virtual reality headset that can be used in our home for 3D movie. Most of my movies are in MKV(downloaded from Internet or some raw Blu-ray rips in MKV). I’m seeking for a way to play MKV on Gear VR with 3D effects. Searching further and widely, I got some clues. If you don’t have idea how to get it done, or play MKV on Gear VR with no sound issue, just read on.

In fact, MKV files in 2D or 3D SBS(Side-by-Side) work on Gear VR, but the audio has to be encoded in AAC or MP3 for stereo. AC3 audio and DTS Dolby don’t seem to work. I’ve re-encode my 3D MKV files to Gear VR more compatible format to get them to play nice. I’m using Brorsoft Video Converter.

It is a yet professional HD Video Converter, which comparatively has better output quality, in particular HD videos and intuitive interface. With it, you can fast convert MKV to Gear VR supported file type like MP4, MKV in .mp3, .aac audio. Best of all, this software allows you to convert MKV to 3D videos such as MKV Top-bottom 3D Video, MP4 Top-bottom 3D Video, MP4 Side-by-Side 3D video, which can be played on Gear VR perfectly. If you are Mac users, please turn to Video Converter for Mac. Now, we will give a detailed guide on the whole process from converting MKV to Samsung Gear VR supported video.

Convert MKV for Gear VR playback without Quality Loss

Step 1. Load video files

Run the best VR Video Converter program and load your source video files MKV into it.

Step 2. Decide output format

Tap on “Format” bar and find “3D Video”, there are a lot of format options for you. “MP4 Side-by-Side 3D Video (*.mp4)” is recommended for Samsung Gear VR. Of course, “MKV Side-by-Side 3D video”, “MP4 Side-by-Side 3D video” are also supported.

Step 3. Specify video/audio parameters

Click Settings button to adjust video/audio parameters like video resolution, bitrate, audio codec, audio channel. According to my experience, anything over 720p does nothing but turn battery energy into heat, due to the screen resolution.

Step 4. Start encoding MKV to Gear VR

Click Convert button to start converting MKV to Samsung Gear VR friendly video. After the conversion, you can get the resulted videos by clicking the Open button.

Place your video files into the folder named “My Videos” on your MicroSD card for Galaxy Note 4. Now it would be easy for you to watch 3D videos on Samsung Gear VR. Enjoy.

Something exciting, the Samsung Gear VR brings a new type of movie experience I’ve never experienced before. I have a few 3D Blu-rays that I would love to watch them with Gear VR. My question is can I play 3D Blu-ray on Gear VR directly? If not, any workable workaround to help me get 3D movies onto Gear VR? A little searching turns up the solution. I’ve tried the way; it works. Now I will share the easiest way to put and play 3D Blu-ray on Samsung Gear VR.

As far as we know, Gear VR supports most conventional file formats like MP4, AVI, and FLV; however, Blu-ray format is not included. To play Blu-ray with Gear VR, first you need to convert Blu-ray to Gear VR supported file type. And if you stick with 3D movie on Gear VR, you can rip Blu-ray to MP4 in side-by-side or top-to-bottom 3D formats. To achieve the goal easily, a professional Blu-ray ripper especially designed for 3D BDs is necessary.

I have tried many of these products, Brorsoft Blu-ray Ripper is the best one I have found. As one of the best Blu ray ripping software, the program is easy to use and can help you rip Blu-ray and DVD to Gear VR supported MP4, AVI, MKV, FLV video files easily. Best of all, this software allows you to fast convert 3D Blu-ray movies to 3D videos such as MKV Top-bottom 3D Video, MP4 Top-bottom 3D Video, MP4 Side-by-Side 3D video, which can be played on Gear VR perfectly. If you are running on Mac, please turn to Brorsoft Blu-ray Ripper for Mac, which allows you to convert 3D Blu-ray to Samsung Gear VR on Mac OS X(Yosemite and Mavericks included).

How to convert 3D Blu-ray to Gear VR friendly content for playback

Step 1. Import 3D Blu-ray movie > Launch the professional 3D Blu-ray to Gear VR converter. Click the button on top left corner to add 3D Blu-ray movie to it. Double click the video, you can preview the movie in the right side.

Step 2. Select output format > Tap on “Format” bar and find “3D Video”, there are a lot of format options for you. “MP4 Side-by-Side 3D Video (*.mp4)” is recommended for Samsung Gear VR.

Tip: Click Settings to adjust the parameters like video codec, video bitrate, video frame rate, audio sample rate, audio channel. Content mastered at 1920×1080 compressed side-by-side 3D should be resampled to 1920×540 resolution full side-by-side resolution.

Step 3. Start to convert 3D Blu-ray to Gear VR > Click “Convert” button, the best 3D Blu-ray to Gear VR converter will start to work. Just be patient, it will not take you long time. After the conversion, click the Open to get the output videos.

Additional Tips: How to add and view SBS 3D video files on your Gear VR

1. On your MicroSD card file directory, navigate to Oculus > Movies > Your Movies.
2. Create a new folder within “Your Movies” and label it “3D”.
3. Import or move your SBS 3D videos into your newly created “3D” folder.

Once you have created your 3D content folder and imported compatible video files, insert your MicroSD card into your Galaxy Note 4 (if it isn’t already), slide the phone in your Gear VR, and put the virtual reality headset on your head. Then:
1. Navigate to Oculus Cinema from the main menu.
2. Navigate to “My Videos” from the Oculus Cinema content library menu.
3. Select the 3D video you wish to view (if you followed the above steps it should have a “3D” label in the upper righthand corner).
4. Choose the cinema mode to begin playback.
5. Enjoy.

video playback tips

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Category Archives: Samsung Gear VR

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