Introduction

Are you a videographer wondering what resolution to use for your 360° videos on the Meta Quest 2 and easybox360? This guide provides the key recommendations to achieve the best possible rendering.

Key takeaway: The Meta Quest 2 displays 1832 × 1920 pixels per eye and is powered by a Snapdragon XR2, able to decode up to 8192 × 4096 at 60 FPS in H.265. Later generations (Quest 3, Pico 4 Ultra) go further thanks to the XR2 Gen 2 and the AV1 codec, but the Quest 2 remains perfectly comfortable with 360° video.

Recommended resolutions

Monoscopic 360° video

Monoscopic video (2D spherical) is the most common format for 360° experiences. The Quest 2 excels in this area.

ParameterRecommendedMaximum
Resolution5760 × 28808192 × 4096
Framerate30-60 FPS60 FPS
CodecH.265 (HEVC)H.265 (HEVC)
Bitrate50-80 Mbit/s100 Mbit/s
Tip: A resolution of 5760×2880 is the best everyday compromise: it leaves headroom for spatial audio and preserves battery life during long sessions. For short content played locally, moving up to 7200×3600 at 60 FPS makes fuller use of the Quest 2 panel.

Stereoscopic 360° video (3D)

Stereoscopic video provides depth perception through two distinct images (one for each eye). The Quest 2 handles this demanding format very well.

ParameterRecommended / Maximum
Resolution5760 × 5760
Framerate60 FPS
CodecH.265 (HEVC)
FormatTop-Bottom or Side-by-Side
Bitrate100 Mbit/s

180° Side-by-Side video

The 180° VR format is ideal for front-facing content with a depth effect.

ParameterMaximum
Resolution5760 × 5760
Framerate60 FPS
CodecH.265 (HEVC)
Bitrate100 Mbit/s

Why choose H.265 on Quest 2?

Unlike the Pico G2 4K, the Meta Quest 2 is optimized for the H.265 (HEVC) codec thanks to its XR2 processor:

  • Better compression: smaller files at the same quality level
  • Higher resolutions: supports up to 8K
  • Optimized hardware decoding: the XR2 decodes H.265 natively
  • Smooth 60 FPS: even at high resolutions

Quest 2 technical specifications

  • Processor: Snapdragon XR2 (first generation)
  • Display: 3664 × 1920 total (1832 × 1920 per eye), single LCD panel
  • Refresh rate: 72 to 120 Hz depending on the application
  • Codecs: H.264, H.265 (HEVC) and VP9; no hardware AV1 decoding
  • Maximum video decoding: 8192 × 4096 at 60 FPS in H.265
If you do not need 6DoF, consider the Pico G3: it has exactly the same definition (3664 × 1920, or 1832 × 1920 per eye) and runs on the same chip generation. On a guided 360° video, where users look around without moving, the result is equivalent. Deployment, however, is far simpler: no user account to create and a direct boot into the viewer, which matters a great deal at trade shows or in high-throughput training. The Quest keeps the edge as soon as you need 6DoF or apps from the store. See the Pico G3 guide.

Resolution vs Performance

Important: The highest resolution is not always the best choice. A slightly lower resolution can provide:
  • Better battery life: lower power consumption
  • Less overheating: extended comfort for the user
  • Smoother playback: stable framerate without drops
  • Equivalent experience: the visual difference is often imperceptible

For extended sessions (training, exhibitions), prefer 5K@30FPS over 8K@60FPS.

Recommended export settings

Here is a summary of the optimal settings for exporting your 360° videos on Quest 2:

ParameterValue
Resolution5760 × 2880 (mono) / 5760 × 5760 (stereo)
Framerate30-60 FPS
Video codecH.265 (HEVC)
ProfileMain 10
Bitrate50-80 Mbit/s (VBR recommended)
Audio codecAAC, 48 kHz, stereo or ambisonic
ContainerMP4

Tips to optimize your videos

Take advantage of 60 FPS

The Quest 2 handles 60 FPS at high resolution: make the most of it for sequences with camera movement, where smoothness makes a real difference to visual comfort.

Spatial audio

The recommended resolution of 5760×2880 leaves enough processing headroom for ambisonic audio. Feel free to incorporate spatial sound to enhance immersion.

Streaming vs local

  • Streaming: bitrate is limited (~32 Mbit/s in H.264). Prefer local download for the best quality.
  • Local: you can leverage the full potential (100 Mbit/s H.265)

Production workflow

  1. Shooting: film at the maximum resolution of your 360° camera
  2. Editing: work in your native resolution
  3. Export: apply the recommended settings above
  4. Metadata injection (optional): use the Google Spatial Media Metadata Injector tool so the video is recognized as 360°.Not required for easystory360.
  5. Test on headset: verify the final rendering on the Quest 2
  6. Upload to easystory360: integrate your video into your experience

Additional resources