Record VR footage on the Meta Quest 3
Can users record VR footage on the Meta Quest 3? Yes, it's possible but don't get too excited as the results aren't up to the standard required of modern VR. Find out more about this function, as well as instructions on how to try this yourself (coming soon).
The Quest 3 features two cameras that deliver full-color passthrough, allowing users to record content in 4K (2k per eye), using the Meta Quest Developer HUB. However, there are a number of drawbacks to this feature that seem likely to prevent it from being a popular usage for this new headset.
Experiments have shown that the Quest 3's passthrough cameras don't record 180-degree footage - instead, the footage is flat 120-100 (possibly 90) degrees - this is a major drawback in terms of immersion. It is possible to create flat stereo VR video, but it requires some amount of effort.
Technical limitations of the footage
For the resulting footage, the maximum resolution is 4k 60fps, 40mbps bitrate. Again, this is not great quality considering many SLR users enjoy 8K 120FPS video. Also, the videos will be relatively small due to the internal storage of the Quest 3 device.
Unusually, the eyes are rotated in the image - however, this can be fixed with some stereo correction applications. This isn't a new feature, as it was possible with the Quest Pro (we posted a stereo video tutorial with passthrough using the Quest Pro at the end of last year).
Ultimately, it seems possible to record video with the Quest 3, though the process isn't simple and the resulting video doesn't meet up to modern VR standards. However, there may be some useful and exciting uses for this in the future.
Try for yourself
Our devs are currently preparing a guide on how Quest 3 owners can try this out themselves. Keep checking back for a full step-by-step guide in the next few days.
Join the discussion on the SLR forum thread about the Quest 3.
