Does MKV Support 3D Video Formats?

This article explains whether the MKV (Matroska) container can store 3D video formats, how it handles 3D content, and what is required to play these files. You will learn about the specific 3D layouts MKV supports, including stereoscopic and MVC formats, and how players detect this data.

Yes, MKV Supports 3D Video

The MKV (Matroska) container is highly flexible and fully supports 3D video formats. Because MKV is a container rather than a video compression format, it can hold a wide variety of video codecs, audio tracks, subtitles, and metadata, including the specific configurations required for 3D playback.

How MKV Handles 3D Video Formats

MKV supports 3D video through two primary methods: half-resolution stereoscopic formats and full-resolution Multiview Video Coding (MVC).

1. Stereoscopic 3D (SBS and Over-Under)

The most common way 3D is stored in MKV files is through stereoscopic layouts where the images for the left and right eyes are combined into a single video frame. * Side-by-Side (SBS): The left and right eye views are squeezed horizontally and placed next to each other in a single frame. * Over-Under (Top-and-Bottom): The left and right eye views are squeezed vertically and placed one on top of the other.

Because these layouts utilize standard video codecs like H.264 (AVC) or H.265 (HEVC), any standard MKV container can carry them.

2. Multiview Video Coding (MVC)

MVC is the format used on 3D Blu-ray discs. Unlike SBS, MVC delivers full 1080p resolution to each eye by encoding a primary 2D video stream and a secondary “dependent” stream that contains only the differences for the second eye. MKV officially supports MVC video streams, allowing users to back up 3D Blu-rays into a single MKV file without losing video quality.

3D Metadata in MKV

To prevent users from having to manually configure their 3D TVs or players, the Matroska specification includes a dedicated header element called VideoStereoMode.

When an MKV file is encoded, the creator can set this flag to indicate whether the video is Side-by-Side, Over-Under, or MVC. Compatible media players read this metadata and automatically signal the connected 3D television, projector, or VR headset to switch into the correct 3D viewing mode.

Requirements for Playing 3D MKV Files

To successfully watch a 3D video stored in an MKV container, you need the following:

• A Compatible Media Player: Software players like VLC, Kodi, MPC-HC, or PotPlayer are capable of reading MKV 3D headers. For MVC 3D MKVs, specialized players like PowerDVD or hardware media players (such as Dune HD or Zidoo) are often required.
• A 3D Display: A 3D-capable television, 3D projector, or Virtual Reality (VR) headset.
• 3D Glasses: Active shutter or passive polarized glasses that match your display technology.