Apple TV and 3D Content

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Level 1

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Apple TV and 3D Content

I have an Apple TV 2nd Generation, and am considering getting a 3D TV. What I am wondering is about the Half Side By Side Format. There are some of these on YouTube, and I have some videos I am considering processing to Half Side By Side. What I want to know, is that if I convert the Half Side By Side to an m4v, play it on the Apple TV 2nd Gen, and a 3D TV, if it will work like other 3D Content like ESPN 3D.

Posted on Feb 21, 2011 2:00 PM

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Answer 1

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Feb 21, 2011 2:29 PM in response to spiderguy84

i tested a side-by-side 3d file on my appletv, and once converted it did retain the 3d aspect.
the file is just a normal video file at the end of the day, it just happens to be a side-by-side file.

it's the TV that does the 3d stuff, not the appletv, so the appletv just passes the file thru to the TV and the TV then processes it as 3d.

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Answer 2

spiderguy84 Author

Level 1

37 points

Feb 21, 2011 2:53 PM in response to Chenks

Thanks. What did you use to convert it to something the apple tv can play, just handbrake? Also, did you have to have a 1.4 hdmi cable or was any fine?

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Answer 3

Apr 6, 2011 1:56 AM in response to spiderguy84

HDMI 1.4 is a specification that allows the transmission of Image data that exceeds 1920x1080 (HDMI 1.3) and some other things..
3d content is actually just two images that are side by side so a normal 1080 movie would be 3840x1080 (two 1920x1080 images) and the TV takes that stream and flickers alternating side on the screen, syncing up with the glasses that you are wearing, giving you the 3d effect.
The Apple TV resolution is far smaller than this. (1280x720) - so in order to get a 3d image streamed to it.. you would effectively have 1280 pixels wide to work with, so 1280/2 or a side by side set of images would be a video resolution of (640x360) for a down-sampled HD movie. So it is possible, but would probably not look great.
Interestingly I wonder if itunes home sharing would automatically down-sample and stream the proper resolution for us? This is worth giving a try.

Sean

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Answer 4

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Apr 6, 2011 2:17 AM in response to sean.t.boyette

sean.t.boyette wrote:
So it is possible, but would probably not look great.

having actually played 3d content myself, i can asure you that it does look great with no obvious signs of loss of quality.

the 3d file i made had 2 1280x720 images (from a source of 1920x1080 file).

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Answer 5

Apr 6, 2011 2:27 AM in response to Chenks

Outstanding, I am converting a few sample full and half SBS versions to see how they will look...including making an Apple TV version..

Did you use your ipad/iphone to airplay it or did you use home sharing to play the file? Does home sharing downsample everything.. it does on the iPad..

Sean

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Answer 6

Chenks

Level 5

7,435 points

Apr 6, 2011 2:31 AM in response to sean.t.boyette

sean.t.boyette wrote:
Did you use your ipad/iphone to airplay it or did you use home sharing to play the file? Does home sharing downsample everything.. it does on the iPad..

i played the content just like any other content via itunes.

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