JG McQuarrie |
March 7, 2025
Sometimes, new technology, such as virtual reality, can be bafflingly full of terms and technical jargon that can obscure understanding. After all, virtual reality sounds like it should just be the one thing, right? But there's a lot to get to grips with when it comes to understanding VR.
One of the things it is good to have a grasp of is the difference between monoscopic and stereoscopic.
Main Difference Between: Monoscopic vs Stereoscopic 360 VR
There are a number of differences between monoscopic and stereoscopic VR that require a bit of explaining. However, these are fairly easy to understand.
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Depth Perception
One of the most fundamental differences between monoscopic and stereoscopic VR is depth perception. Depth perception, or field depth, is exactly what it sounds like - the ability to tell how close or far away something is.
In human beings, this is achieved by having eyes that are a certain distance apart. Each eye receives an image that is slightly different because of the different angles we see things at. The brain then combines these images into what we see and combining images with different angles allows us to perceive field depth.
This is what stereoscopic VR does. The "stereo" part just means two, similar to two speakers in a stereo or hi-fi system, just with pictures rather than sound. Stereoscopic VR requires sending two different images to each eyepiece in a VR headset, both slightly different.
Our brain interprets this in the same way we perceive normal vision because the two images allow us to perceive depth, even when it's not really "there". Stereoscopic VR, therefore, more closely mimics how we actually perceive the real world and creates a more immersive experience.
Monoscopic VR, by contrast, sends the same image to the eyepieces of a VR headset. Because the images are the same, we interpret them as having less depth to them. It's more akin to watching an immersive TV screen.
To put it another way, there are 2 images, 1 for each eye, with stereoscopic VR. With monoscopic VR, just like a regular image or video, 1 image is directed to both eyes. The way we view the real world more closely resembles Stereoscopic VR.
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Immersion Level
Because of the way we perceive depth, the type of virtual reality we use affects immersion. As stereoscopic VR mimics the way we see the real world, it becomes a more immersive experience. It's more natural for us to perceive depth because that's how we view the real world.
So stereoscopic VR feels more immersive because it feels like we are really in the scene, the stereoscopic imagery fooling us into being "in" the footage.
On the other hand, monoscopic VR is less immersive because each image on the eyepieces of the VR headset is the same. While this carries some degree of immersion - not least because you are entirely cut off from the rest of the world - it's less so because there's no depth perception.
It's like watching TV, just on a VR headset rather than a traditional TV set. The VR environment is still more immersive than traditional forms of viewing, just not as much as stereoscopic VR.
Why Choose Monoscopic VR?
Both systems of virtual reality have their advantages, and it's good to know what they are before deciding which is going to be the best fit for you.
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View It Anywhere
Monoscopic content's big plus is that you can view it on any device - you don't need a VR headset. It goes like this: a monoscopic VR image is basically just a single image captured in 360 degrees. If you view this on a VR headset, you can turn your head in any direction and follow the image.
However, because a monoscopic image is just that - a single image - it can actually be seen on any screen, such as a phone, laptop, or tablet. You can scroll around the image on any device. That means monoscopic VR doesn't require special hardware like a VR headset to be displayed and means the VR footage you shoot isn't restricted in terms of what it can be seen on.
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Cost
At a very basic level, monoscopic VR is cheaper to shoot than stereoscopic VR.
The main reason for this is that the equipment needed to shoot monoscopic footage is less complex and, therefore, less expensive to purchase. You only need one camera to capture 360 degrees of footage, after all. Imagine holding a camera in your hand, hitting record, then turning in a circle a full 360 degrees.
That's pretty much all you need to do to capture monoscopic VR. Of course, more expensive and more adaptive set-ups are available, but at a very basic level, one camera can be used to capture monoscopic VR, and almost everyone will have that available already, even if it's just a phone.
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Rendering and Editing
Because monoscopic VR is just a single image, it requires much less processing power to render, making it much quicker to get to a finished piece of footage. The time saved can be quite significant, and the fact that it requires less processing power to render means that you can also produce footage on less powerful computers - you don't need to have top-of-the-line hardware to generate it.
Post production is much simpler as well. That's because it's much easier to stitch footage together from a single image than it is for multiple images. This means the post production can be completed much quicker, too.
Why Choose Stereoscopic VR?
Stereoscopic VR has plenty of advantages as well.
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True Immersion
The most obvious advantage stereoscopic VR has over monoscopic is that it produces true immersion. Monoscopic VR can look great, but it can never truly produce that feeling of being "in" the scene the same way stereoscopic VR can. Monoscopic VR can always feel a little unconvincing or "uncanny valley" because, no matter how good the footage is or how high the resolution it's shot in, there's always a lack of depth to it.
Whereas stereoscopic VR makes you truly feel like you are in a scene in a way that really is unparalleled because you have true depth perception. Your eyes are receiving two different vantage points, which is what is needed for depth perception.
Whether you're watching a sci-fi blockbuster or gazing out over a tranquil beach scene, the sense of "being there" is always going to be so much stronger with stereoscopic VR because of the depth.
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Interactivity
One of the other key areas that stereoscopic VR wins out on is interactivity. Because monoscopic VR is "flat", there's a limit to how much a user can interact with the environment that has been created. You can press a button or select a menu, but not an awful lot more than that.
This is especially useful in games. Stereoscopic video can be used to not only give you the feeling that you are there but also allow you to interact with the world around you in a way that feels natural because you're interacting with the video elements in the same way you would in the real world.
This also lends an additional sense of depth and immersion to the footage you are experiencing and is something that is unique to stereoscopic content.
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Engagement
Because stereoscopic VR feels real to the way our brains process the information we're viewing, it's only natural that the person viewing the footage will find it more engaging.
Whatever field you are creating content for, the first thing you want to do is ensure that your potential audience is engaged and stays engaged throughout. And that's where stereoscopic VR really shines. The feeling of immersion, of "being there", really helps to keep viewers engaged with your content in a way that 2D footage just can't compete with.
And the more engaged your viewers are, the more you will hold their interest and keep them coming back.
Final Words
Both stereoscopic and monoscopic VR have their advantages and disadvantages and each needs to be carefully considered before you decide which you are going to use. Cost, flexibility, presence, and practicality all play their roles in the decision making process and should be carefully considered. In the end, neither is necessarily superior or inferior to the other - it needs to be judged on a case-by-case basis, depending on your requirements.
However, the world of VR is definitely here to stay, so make your choices carefully and get creating!
FAQ
Is Stereoscopic VR More Difficult to Produce?
Short answer - yes!
At the very least, you're going to need two cameras (or a single camera with two lenses) to capture full stereoscopic 360 degree footage. That means you need to invest in specialist equipment.
Producing the footage also needs to be done carefully to avoid image flaws such as chromatic aberration and lens distortion. A controlled environment can help with that, but it's not always possible, especially if you are shooting outdoors. That means more care needs to be taken to shoot the footage as well.
And stereoscopic VR will take longer - sometimes a lot longer - to render, so you need to have a very powerful computer and be prepared to wait for the results.
