Comments on: Why you should choose H-SBS over H-OU

By: SubJunk

SubJunk — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 22:28:33 +0000

In reply to IanW. This is a really good point, thanks for your thoughts :)

By: IanW

IanW — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:22:15 +0000

Deciding h-sbs over h-ou weighs most heavily on how it’s consumed vs one format being better than the other. If the resulting video is flat or boring 3D, I would argue H-OU is best for compatibility with the extended field of view on the panorama. But once you hit VR 180 / 360 / fisheye, the information on the top & bottom of the frame cover a LOT more information per angle which improves immersion.

By: SubJunk

SubJunk — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:44:48 +0000

In reply to Lars. Thanks for your comment. Yes that’s possible to do, but the compatibility of the file goes down since some devices like TVs may not properly use aspect ratio information. SBS still comes out on top though

By: Lars

Lars — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 07:30:17 +0000

Thanks for an interesting post. I have a thought regarding H-OU as you write:
“With H-OU, each eye sees a maximum resolution of 1920×540. This usually ends up being more like 1920×400, with the other 140 vertical pixels being the black bars at the top and bottom of the video frame”
many movies are in 2:35 which gives quite much space for black bars and you end up with around 1920×400 as you say. Wouldn’t it be possible to encode H-OU without black bars so you get higher vertical resolution, e.g. you use the full 540 for each frame
Over frame: 1920×540 (with cropped black bars)
Under frame: 1920×540 (with cropped black bars)
which gives a total of: 1920×1080, in this way you would gain vertical resolution (from around 400 to 540), but ofcourse you need to “fix” the aspect ratio in playback by setting it in e.g. VLC to e.g. 16:9 or something.
Maybe it does not matter that much with the extra 140 vertical resolution, H-SBS is seen as higher quality by the eyes anyway?

By: SubJunk

SubJunk — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 03:19:58 +0000

In reply to Grant. Unfortunately it looks like they're lost, sorry!

By: SubJunk

SubJunk — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 03:16:24 +0000

In reply to Grant. Thanks for pointing that out, I will see if I can fix the images!

By: Grant

Grant — Sat, 01 May 2021 06:30:58 +0000

Hey, great article! Please consider reuploading the example images, though, as they are no longer working. Thanks 🙂

By: Mike Durkin

Mike Durkin — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 23:38:31 +0000

What is better for head sets? like the Samsung VR and similar …

BTY .. i loved the Movie “Ready Player One” !!!

That is the true path of the Future of entertainment of all kinds .. why watch a Tv when you can be in the environment you see !!!!

VR don’t frame left then right when both can be displayed at once as a single scanned line — H-SBS

By: Slava

Slava — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:36:31 +0000

What about SBS vs OU when using a 3D projector?
Thank you!

By: Mulat

Mulat — Fri, 13 May 2016 02:16:08 +0000

Hello!
Let me join to this very interesting discussion. We know now the SBS and OU in active 3D 1080p is a matter of much discussion. Some people say the SBS brings better experience and others people OU. So what better to choose?

Still talking about 1080p, what if we want to display the image 4k in the active 3D? The answer which is better still not be so clear or maybe at this resolution, something changes? Personally, I think it is better suited SBS (1920×2160) than OU (3840x1080p). Although it may in what mode will display the image does not make any difference (the same situation like 1080p)?