Best VR Video Converters: Convert Between Normal Video and VR Video

VR, short for Virtual Reality, is a simulated experience provided that is dissimilar to our real word, and it's a buzzword in recent years. Virtual reality creates a world where we can experience things that do not actually exist, making us feel as if we are in a parallel world. With it, we may explore the Africa Savanna, or back to ancient Egypt empire 2000 years ago… Fantastic as virtual sounds, yet the reality may be cruel.

To enjoy the true VR where you stand in a virtual world and interact with surroundings, you have to use professional equipments. For the stunt and marketing purpose, many platforms and content creators are using the idea of VR and 360 video interchangeably.

For instance, YouTube has dedicated VR video channels to host 360 videos, viewers can use fancy headsets or make do with the Google cardboard for the immersive experience of 360 VR videos. Facebook also supports 360 videos in feed. Users can drag around on the player and see 360 degree of the scene with bare eye.

Is it possible to convert normal videos to VR videos? No scams, decent answer:

Yes, it is possible to convert a normal 2D video into a VR experience, but with several caveats. Most commercially available conversion tools don't recreate the full quality of native stereoscopic 3D — captured with dual lenses — or genuine VR 360°/VR180 production.

Instead, they simulate depth by generating a "stereo pair" from a 2D source. The result can let viewers wear a VR headset, or 3D glasses, to experience an illusion of depth and immersion, even though the original footage wasn't shot in VR.

If you are interested in DYI VR videos, without shelling out for the hardware (360 VR cameras), then you can try some of the following VR video converter software. Alternatively, if you don't like 3D videos, you can convert 3D to 2D normal videos.

What features should I look for in a VR video converter?

• -Format Support: Make sure the converter supports popular video formats like MP4, MOV, and is compatible with your VR headset.
• -VR Mode Compatibility: Look for support across different VR video types—360°, 180°, 3D SBS (Side-by-Side), Top-Bottom, anaglyph 3D, etc.
• -Built-in Editing Tools: Some converters offer basic editing like trimming, cropping, adding subtitles, or filters or subtitles.
• -Batch Processing: Save time by converting multiple files in one go.
• -Output Customization: Adjust video parameters such as resolution, bitrate, aspect ratio and frame rate for optimal playback quality.

Part 1. Best VR Video Converters

1. VideoProc Converter AI

VideoProc Converter AI, the one-stop video processing software, is designed for both beginners and pros. With its various editing tools, powerful conversion engine and smooth recorder baked in, you can easily convert 180 360 degree VR videos, 3D to 2D, as well as normal 4K UHD videos, MKV, MP4, MOV and 420+ formats. It's easy to polish your video with features such as trimming, cutting, cropping, deshaking, denoising, merging etc.

If you want to watch 360 VR video in normal 2D mode, you can easily convert VR videos to 2D with VideoProc Converter AI.

Supported OS: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11; macOS 10.13 and higher.

Key Features

• Powered with GPU acceleration for high efficiency conversion
• Convert resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, add effects, grade color for VR videos
• Batch convert videos to speed up your work flow

Free Download For Win 7 or later

Free Download For macOS 10.13 or later

For mobile users, click here >

📢 Bonus Tips: If your VR videos are of low quality, enhance it with VideoProc Converter AI

Besides formats conversion, VideoProc Converter AI also has AI-powered Super Resolution tool to upscale video resolution and enhance video quality. It uses generative algorithms to remaster videos at max quality, restore vivid details that are natural and life like.

Below is the comparison of enhanced video vs source footage.

2. Wondershare Uniconverter

This tool help you to convert VR videos, with option for 180, 360 degree, and users can select the target devices for VR playback. Curently, it supports Samsung Gear, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift headsets.

Supported OS: Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista; macOS 10.11 or later

Key Features

• Instant cutting of large video files
• Audio quality Optimization with audio-denoise feature
• Popular formats support like MTS, MOV and MP4

3. Pavtube Video Converter

You can convert standard video to VR video for headsets with Pavtube Video Converter. If you upgrade to Ultimate version, you can have extended support for Blu-ray and DVD as input video resources.

Supported OS: Windows XP and higher; macOS 10.13 and higher

Key Features

• Conversion of the mainstream formats like 3D MKV, 3D MP4, 3D AVI etc
• Conversion of SBS video to Top-Bottom video, Anaglyph video to SBS video and more
• Settings of various output parameters

4. iFun Video Converter

This powerful video converter support 150+ video and audio formats with extended support to convert normal 2D videos to VR-3D. You can watch converted clips with your VR devices or on 360 VR supported players on your desktop.

Supported OS: Windows XP and higher

Key Features

• Batch conversion of video files
• User-friendly presupposition

5. VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate

As a converter and basic video editor, this tool helps you to nail the job of 2D video conversion as well as 3D. You can easily choose a target device and format to convert videos. Once loading a source video, you can split screen with SBS or TB mode, thus simulating 3D effect for VR devices.

Supported OS: Windows XP and higher; Mac OS X 10.12 or above

Key Features

• Six times faster than normal converters due to its hardware accelerator technology
• Five 3D modes, such as Anaglyph 3D or Side by Side (Full) 3D
• Optimization of output video files to meet the demands of the headset you're using

Part 2. Best VR Video Headsets to Enjoy VR Videos

Below are popular VR video devices and headsets, they all support 3D SBS and 360-degree video. Some of the headsets are differentiated in resolution. You can check each one and make sure your content and device matches. You can also use a VR video converter to adjust the video.

• Meta Quest 3 - 2064x2208

• Apple Vision Pro - 3660 x 3200

• Valve Index VR - 1440x1600

• Sony PlayStation VR2 - 2000 x 2040

• ByteDance Pico 4 Ultra - 2160x2160

Tip: The low-cost way to enjoy VR content is using the Google Cardboard (discontinued but still available on Ebay or similar market place, or using plastic alternatives). You can fold the cardboard, attach your mobile infront of the lens, and enjoy side-by-side VR videos for an immersive experience.

Part 3. How 2D-to-3D/VR Conversion Works

A basic understanding of the mechanism behind VR video conversion can better guide you, no matter you're selecting the right device, dialing in your parameter settings, or simply understanding the limitations of each approach.

1. Simulated Depth Using Algorithms

Conversion solutions analyze a flat image and estimate depth cues—sometimes using motion analysis, edge detection, or even AI models (as in Deep3D methods) to create a depth map for each frame.

Using that depth information, the software generates two slightly offset images (one for each eye) which, when viewed together, create a stereo effect. This is similar in concept to the academic approach noted in the Deep3D paper, which trains neural networks end-to-end on stereo pairs from 3D movies.

2. Formats and Modes

Many tools offer a variety of output modes—for instance, side-by-side (SBS), top-and-bottom, anaglyph (red–cyan), or even formats like VR180 where the video is reprojected into a limited spherical field that is viewable in VR headsets.

Part 4. VR Video Converter FAQs

1. How many types of VR technology are there?

There are three types of VR technology. Besides virtual reality itself, the other two are augmented reality and mixed reality.

2. Can any video be watched in VR?

Yes, any standard 2D video file, such as mp4 and mov, can be watched in VR using a player app like Skybox VR. It will appear on a giant virtual screen, like a private movie theater. To get an immersive 360-degree or 3D effect, the video must either be shot with special cameras or be converted using 2D-to-3D software.

3. How do I convert an MP4 to a VR video?

For most people, you don't need to convert the MP4 file. The easiest way is to transfer the MP4 to your VR headset and open it with a VR player app like Skybox. The app creates the VR experience for you. If you want to add 3D depth, you would use a tool like Depthify.ai to convert the MP4 into a 3D Side-by-Side MP4.

4. How do you make a VR video on YouTube?

Though YouTube has a simple video editor integrated into the creator studio, there is no 1-click magic for the standard video to VR conversion.

Still, you can enjoy VR videos uploaded on YouTube with a simple search of 360 video channel or virtual reality channel. Good news for iPhone users, you can click the cardboard icon and connect your iPhone with VR headset for the immersive viewing experience.

5. What is the best video format for VR?

The best and most compatible format is MP4 with an H.264 or H.265 HEVC codec. This format offers a great balance of quality, file size, and is universally supported by all modern VR headsets, including the Meta Quest, and player apps.

6. In which industries can VR technology be applied?

VR can be applied in multiple fields and industries. For educational purposes, it can be used in various training courses such as medical science and military training; and as for entertainment, it can provide an excellent visual experience for video games.