How to Play Videos on VR Devices
Meta Quest Devices (Oculus Quest 1, 2, and 3)
- Prepare the Video: Ensure the video is in a format compatible with the Quest (MP4, AVI, or MOV).
- Connect to Computer: Use a USB-C cable to connect your Meta Quest to your computer.
- Enable File Transfer: In the headset, allow access to data.
- Locate the Quest: On your computer, find the Quest under 'Devices' in File Explorer.
- Create Video Folder: Inside the Quest's internal storage, create a new folder named "Videos" if it doesn't already exist.
- Transfer Video: Drag and drop the video file into this folder.
- Disconnect: Safely eject the Quest from your computer and disconnect the cable.
- Use a VR Media Player: On your Quest, open a VR media player like Skybox VR, navigate to the "Videos" folder, and play your video.
Oculus Go and GearVR
- Video Compatibility: Check if your video is in a compatible format (MP4, AVI, or MOV).
- Connect Oculus Go/GearVR to PC: Use a micro USB cable to connect the device to your computer.
- Accept File Transfer: Allow file transfer on the VR device.
- Access Device Storage: Find your Oculus Go/GearVR in the computer's File Explorer.
- Copy Video: Place the video file in the "Movies" or "Videos" folder.
- Disconnect Device: Eject the device from your computer and disconnect.
- VR Media Player: Use the Oculus Gallery or another compatible app to watch the video.
Google Cardboard (Android and iOS)
- Download Video: Download the video to your smartphone, ensuring it's in a supported format (usually MP4).
- Install VR Player: Download a VR player app that supports Google Cardboard (e.g., Cardboard app or VR Media Player).
- Open the App: Launch the VR player app.
- Load the Video: In the app, find and select the downloaded video.
- Insert Phone in Cardboard: Place your smartphone into the Google Cardboard viewer.
- Watch the Video: Navigate and play the video through the VR viewer.
PlayStation VR
- Format USB Drive: Format a USB drive to exFAT or FAT32.
- Add Video to USB: Copy the VR video file (MP4 format recommended) onto the USB.
- Insert USB into PS4: Plug the USB drive into your PlayStation 4.
- Launch Media Player: On the PS4, go to the Media Player app. You can also utilize “Little Star”.
- Play the Video: Select the video from the USB drive and play it. The PSVR headset should automatically switch to VR mode for compatible videos.
HTC Vive and Oculus Rift
- Video Format: Ensure the video is in a format like MP4, AVI, or MKV.
- Save Video on PC: Download the video to a folder on your PC.
- Install SteamVR: If not already installed, download and install SteamVR from the Steam store.
- Launch SteamVR: Start SteamVR and ensure your headset is recognized.
- VR Media Player: Open a VR media player like Vive Video or Virtual Desktop from within the SteamVR environment.
- Select and Play Video: Navigate to the folder where your video is saved and play it in the media player.
Windows Mixed Reality Headsets
- Check Video Format: Make sure your video is in a compatible format (MP4, WMV, or AVI).
- Download Video: Save the video to a known location on your PC.
- Plug in Headset: Connect your Windows Mixed Reality headset to your PC.
- Start Mixed Reality Portal: Launch the Mixed Reality Portal application on your PC.
- Open Video Player: In the Mixed Reality Portal, open the "Movies & TV" app or a similar VR-compatible media player.
- Locate and Play Video: Find your video within the app and select it to play. The video will automatically be presented in VR mode.
General Tips
- Make sure your device and apps are updated to the latest version.
- If the video doesn’t play, check if you need a specific codec or if the video needs to be re-encoded to a compatible format.
- Adjust settings in the VR media player for optimal viewing experience (like adjusting the field of view or zoom for 180/360 videos).
These detailed steps should help you enjoy 180 and 360-degree videos on various VR platforms. Remember to always check for the latest compatibility and software updates for your specific device.