Introduction
Are you a videographer wondering which resolution to use for your 360° videos on the Meta Quest 3 and easybox360? This guide provides the key recommendations to achieve the best possible quality.
Key takeaway: The Meta Quest 3 is powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. It supports the AV1 codec, delivering 30% better compression than H.265.
Recommended Resolutions
Monoscopic 360° Video
Monoscopic video (2D spherical) is the most common format for 360° experiences. The Quest 3 excels with 8K capabilities.
| Parameter | Recommended | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5760 × 2880 | 8192 × 4096 |
| Framerate | 30-60 FPS | 60 FPS (8K) / 90 FPS (5K) |
| Codec | H.265 or AV1 | AV1 |
| Bitrate | 30-50 Mbit/s | 100 Mbit/s |
Tip: A resolution of 5760×2880 at 30 FPS offers an excellent balance between quality and performance. Go up to 5K@90FPS for maximum smoothness.
Stereoscopic 360° Video (3D)
Stereoscopic video provides depth perception through two separate images (one for each eye).
| Parameter | Recommended | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5400 × 2700 | 5760 × 5760 |
| Framerate | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Codec | H.265 or AV1 | AV1 |
| Format | Top-Bottom or Side-by-Side | - |
| Bitrate | 50-80 Mbit/s | 100 Mbit/s |
The AV1 Codec: What's New on Quest 3
The Quest 3 introduces native support for the AV1 codec, a major advancement for 360° video:
- 30% lower bitrate at the same quality compared to H.265
- Hardware decoding: smooth and battery-efficient
- Ideal for streaming: smaller file sizes
- Superior quality: fewer compression artifacts
Warning: AV1 is not supported on the Quest 2 or Quest Pro (no hardware decoding). If you are targeting multiple generations, stick with H.265 or prepare two versions.
Resolution vs Performance
Important: The highest resolution is not always the best choice. A slightly lower resolution can provide:
- Better battery life: lower power consumption
- Less overheating: extended comfort for the user
- Smoother playback: stable framerate without drops
- Equivalent experience: the visual difference is often imperceptible
For longer sessions (training, exhibitions), prefer 5K@30FPS over 8K.
Recommended Export Settings
Here is a summary of the optimal export settings for Quest 3:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 5760 × 2880 (mono) / 5400 × 2700 (stereo) |
| Framerate | 30-60 FPS |
| Video codec | AV1 (ideal) or H.265 (HEVC) |
| Profile | Main 10 |
| Bitrate | 30-50 Mbit/s (VBR recommended) |
| Audio codec | AAC, 48 kHz, stereo or ambisonic |
| Container | MP4 |
Quest 3 Decoding Limits
The XR2 Gen 2 processor has theoretical limits that are useful to know:
| Framerate | Max resolution |
|---|---|
| 30 FPS | 8192 × 8192 px |
| 60 FPS | 8192 × 4096 px |
| 90 FPS | 6688 × 3344 px |
| 120 FPS | 5792 × 2896 px |
Production Workflow
- Shooting: film at the maximum resolution of your 360° camera
- Editing: work in your native resolution
- Export: apply the recommended settings above
- Metadata injection (optional): use the Google Spatial Media Metadata Injector tool so the video is recognized as 360°.Not required for easystory360.
- Headset testing: verify the final result on the Quest 3
- Upload to easystory360: integrate your video into your experience
Additional Resources
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