Introduction

Are you a videographer wondering which resolution to use for your 360° videos on the Pico G3 and easybox360? This guide provides the key recommendations to achieve the best possible quality.

Key takeaway: The Pico G3 is a 3DoF headset (orientation only) powered by the Snapdragon XR2, designed for professional deployments and seated experiences. Its display features a resolution of 3664×1920 (773 PPI).

Recommended Resolutions

Monoscopic 360° Video

Monoscopic video (2D spherical) is the most common format for 360° experiences. The Pico G3 can decode up to 8K thanks to the Snapdragon XR2.

ParameterRecommendedMaximum
Resolution5120 × 25608192 × 4096
Framerate30 FPS60 FPS
CodecH.265 (HEVC)H.265
Bitrate30-50 Mbit/s100 Mbit/s
Tip: A resolution of 5120×2560 at 30 FPS in H.265 offers an excellent balance between quality and performance, keeping the headset at a comfortable temperature during extended sessions.
From experience: In practice, a resolution of 5760×2880 with a lower bitrate (30 to 50 Mb/s) works well. Run some tests from your editing software to find the sweet spot.

Stereoscopic 360° Video (3D)

Stereoscopic video provides a sense of depth by using two separate images (one for each eye).

ParameterRecommendedMaximum
Resolution4096 × 40965760 × 5760
Framerate30 FPS60 FPS
CodecH.265 (HEVC)H.265
FormatTop-Bottom or Side-by-Side-
Bitrate40-60 Mbit/s100 Mbit/s

Pico G3 Technical Specifications

The Pico G3 is a professional 3DoF headset optimized for enterprise deployments:

  • Processor: Snapdragon XR2 (Kryo 585, 8 cores, 2.84 GHz)
  • Display: 3664 × 1920 total (1832×1920 per eye), 773 PPI
  • Refresh rate: 72 Hz / 90 Hz
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM LPDDR4x / 128 GB storage UFS 3.1
  • Field of view: 98°
  • Tracking: 3DoF (orientation only)
  • Battery: 5300 mAh (Quick Charge 3.0)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
3DoF vs 6DoF: The Pico G3 is a 3DoF headset, meaning it only detects head orientation (looking around) but not physical movement. This makes it ideal for seated experiences and training sessions.

Supported Codecs

The Pico G3 supports the following video codecs with hardware decoding:

  • H.264 (AVC): universally compatible, recommended to avoid artifacts
  • H.265 (HEVC): better compression, ideal for high resolutions
  • VP9: open-source alternative to H.265
Important: For videos above 4K, use H.265 rather than H.264. H.264 can cause stuttering at very high resolutions.

Resolution vs Performance

Important: The highest resolution is not always the best choice. A moderate resolution can provide:
  • Better battery life: lower power consumption
  • Less overheating: extended comfort for the user
  • Fewer artifacts: smoother and more stable playback
  • Longer sessions: ideal for training and exhibitions

For professional use cases (training, exhibitions), go with 5K@30FPS in H.265for a stable and enjoyable experience.

Recommended Export Settings

Here is a summary of the optimal settings for exporting to the Pico G3:

ParameterValue
Resolution5120 × 2560 (mono) / 4096 × 4096 (stereo)
Framerate30 FPS (recommended) / 60 FPS (max)
Video codecH.265 (HEVC) or H.264
ProfileMain or Main 10
Bitrate30-50 Mbit/s (VBR recommended)
Audio codecAAC, 48 kHz, stereo
ContainerMP4

Pico G3 Decoding Limits

The Snapdragon XR2 in the Pico G3 has the following decoding capabilities:

Content typeMax resolution
Mono 360° video8192 × 4096 px
Stereo 360° video5760 × 5760 px
Max bitrate100 Mbit/s
Max framerate60 FPS

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 listed 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 result on the Pico G3
  6. Upload to easystory360: integrate your video into your experience

Additional Resources