Playing SBS and Over-Under 3D Videos on Apple Vision Pro

Lumair can play compatible SBS and over-under 3D video in MKV, MP4, and MOV files on Apple Vision Pro. It splits the packed frame into left- and right-eye views and converts them on device to stereo MV-HEVC for the visionOS system player.

Recognition depends on the individual file, its streams, metadata, and supported stereoscopic layout. An MP4 or MOV extension alone does not guarantee the correct result.

Lumair Can Play Compatible SBS and Over-Under MKV, MP4, and MOV Files on Apple Vision Pro

Lumair supports compatible side-by-side (SBS) and over-under video in MKV, MP4, and MOV containers. It converts compatible packed video on device to stereo MV-HEVC, assigning the two image regions to the corresponding eyes for system playback.

Lumair detects the layout from Matroska metadata, Jellyfin metadata, common filename tags, or the frame shape. An SBS source requires side-by-side handling, while an over-under source requires stacked-image handling, so incorrect or missing hints can produce a flat result.

This conversion turns a conventional packed video frame into a stereoscopic MV-HEVC stream for playback. It does not imply that every MKV, MP4, or MOV stream is compatible. Media that is already compatible MV-HEVC follows the direct system-playback path instead.

As of Lumair 1.3.2, compatible side-by-side and over-under 3D files in 10-bit HDR can play in HDR, including 4K at 60 fps.

visionOS Playback Baseline and What Lumair Adds

Status terms used below:

• Native: Supported by visionOS or the Apple Vision Pro platform.
• Lumair-supported: Handling that Lumair adds beyond the platform baseline.
• Conversion-dependent: Lumair must convert a compatible source before playback.
• File-dependent: The result depends on the file's codecs, streams, metadata, layout, or other characteristics.

Apple Vision Pro supports spatial video playback. Apple identifies MV-HEVC as the multiview format used for stereoscopic video workflows on its platforms. See How to Choose a 3D Media Player for Apple Vision Pro.

Lumair uses the visionOS system player for compatible prepared media. Its handling path depends on whether the source is already suitable for direct playback, uses a packed SBS or over-under frame, or requires on-device conversion.

Native MV-HEVC Playback on Apple Vision Pro

MV-HEVC is multiview HEVC. Compatible MV-HEVC media can follow the native or direct playback path. File-dependent limits still apply because the codec name alone does not confirm that every stream, profile, or metadata combination will work.

Direct playback means the source does not require Lumair's MVC-to-MV-HEVC conversion.

Lumair-Supported SBS and Over-Under Presentation

SBS and over-under video pack both eye views into one conventional video frame. Lumair separates those views and converts compatible SBS and over-under media in MKV, MP4, and MOV files to stereo MV-HEVC on device.

For SBS, the app treats the left and right image regions as separate eye views. For over-under, it treats the upper and lower regions as separate views.

Direct Playback and On-Device Conversion Are Different Paths

Compatible MV-HEVC uses direct system playback. Compatible H.264 MVC in MKV follows a different path: Lumair converts the video on device to stereo MV-HEVC for the visionOS system player. That is conversion-dependent playback, not native MVC playback. See How to Play 3D Blu-ray Movies on Apple Vision Pro.

SBS and over-under handling is another conversion path: Lumair splits the packed frame into eye views before encoding stereo MV-HEVC. MVC conversion starts from coded base and dependent views instead. A compatible container never establishes compatible streams by itself.

SBS, Over-Under, Containers, and Codecs Explained

Side-by-Side Layout

Side-by-side video stores the left-eye and right-eye views next to each other within one conventional video frame. A standard 2D presentation shows those views as two adjacent images. SBS is a packed single-frame layout. It is not MVC or MV-HEVC.

Full-width and half-width SBS are layout variants. Test the specific variant rather than assuming universal support.

Over-Under Layout

Over-under video stores one eye view above the other within a conventional frame (also called top-and-bottom). Stereoscopic presentation requires the upper and lower regions to map to the intended eyes.

Why MP4 and MOV Do Not Define 3D Compatibility

MP4 and MOV are containers. They can hold different codecs, stream arrangements, and stereoscopic metadata, so their extensions do not establish 3D compatibility.

Useful distinctions:

• MV-HEVC: Multiview HEVC used in stereoscopic and spatial video workflows.
• MVC: Multiview H.264 that requires Lumair's conversion-dependent path when compatible.
• SBS / Over-under: Packed single-frame layouts.
• MKV and MK3D: Containers that can hold different codecs and streams.
• REMUX: A packaging label that does not prove compatibility.

HDR10 and Dolby Vision results may depend on the actual codec, profile, metadata, and playback path.

How to Play an SBS or Over-Under File in Lumair

1. Open an authorized file from local storage, SMB, or Jellyfin. Lumair converts compatible SBS and over-under video from MKV, MP4, and MOV containers for stereoscopic playback.
2. Confirm whether the source is SBS or over-under, including full- or half-resolution packing and eye order.
3. Make sure the file's Matroska metadata, Jellyfin 3D metadata, filename tag, or frame shape identifies that layout correctly. Common filename tags include HSBS, FSBS, HOU, and FOU.
4. Open the file and verify stereoscopic playback: depth, geometry, eye order, audio, and subtitles. A flat, reversed, stretched, or doubled image can mean the layout was not identified correctly.

If playback stays flat, verify the layout metadata or filename tag and reopen the file. Two adjacent images indicate SBS packing; two stacked images indicate over-under packing.

Compatibility Matrix

Local Files, SMB, or Jellyfin

A file's location determines how Lumair obtains it. It does not change codec, streams, metadata, eye order, or stereoscopic layout.

Pre-playback checklist:

• Confirm the media is authorized for your use.
• Identify the encoded format and intended stereoscopic layout.
• Confirm access through Files, SMB, or Jellyfin.
• Test the exact file in stereoscopic mode.
• Verify required audio and subtitle tracks.

Lumair opens compatible local files through the visionOS Files picker. It can browse, stream, and download compatible video from SMB servers and from your own Jellyfin server. Lumair includes no movies or shows. It is not affiliated with Jellyfin. More workflows: Lumair guides.

Troubleshooting

• Two adjacent images: Confirm the file is SBS and that its metadata or filename identifies SBS packing.
• Two stacked images: Confirm the file is over-under and that its metadata or filename identifies over-under packing.
• Flat after detection: Confirm distinct left-eye and right-eye regions in the expected places, then verify the metadata or filename tag.
• Doubled, reversed, or stretched: Verify layout variant and eye order, then retest.
• Will not play: Inspect actual streams. Extension, REMUX label, or "3D" in the filename is not enough.

Unsupported: encrypted discs, BDMV folders, DRM bypass, and ripping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lumair free to try before unlocking Full Playback?

Yes. Lumair is free to download and includes five minutes of actual playback for every video. Full Playback is a one-time $14.99 purchase with no subscription.

Does an MP4, MOV, MKV, or MK3D extension prove that a 3D video will play?

No. The extension identifies the container. Playback depends on the streams, metadata, and stereoscopic arrangement inside it.

Can Lumair open encrypted discs or BDMV folders?

No. Lumair can open compatible decrypted Blu-ray ISO images obtained through an authorized workflow. It does not open BDMV folders, bypass DRM, or rip encrypted discs.

Should I test an SBS or over-under file before relying on it offline?

Yes. Download the exact title, disable Wi-Fi, and seek through several points before relying on it.

Can HDR10 or Dolby Vision behavior vary for 3D files?

Yes. Behavior is file-dependent and may vary with codec, profile, metadata, and playback path.

Verify Before You Rely on 3D Playback

• Verify the actual video format instead of the extension or REMUX label.
• Identify SBS, over-under, MV-HEVC, or MVC as the source type.
• Confirm layout variant and eye order.
• Test stereoscopic presentation, audio, and subtitles.
• Seek through several parts of the video.
• For offline viewing, repeat the test with Wi-Fi disabled.