SKYBOX VR Video Player
- October 24, 2017
- Skybox Studio
Get on SteamSkybox VR Video Player is a virtual reality application that allows users to watch 360-degree and traditional 2D videos in a immersive VR environment. It supports a variety of video formats, including 3D and 180-degree videos, and offers features such as head tracking, spatial audio, and the ability to adjust playback settings. The player also includes a theater mode, giving users a cinematic experience from the comfort of their own home.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Skybox VR is highly praised for its intuitive interface and ease of use, making it a great choice for watching 2D and 3D videos in a virtual cinema environment.
- The player supports a wide range of video formats, including 4K and 360-degree videos, and is noted for its smooth playback and good audio quality.
- Many users appreciate the active development and support from the developers, who are responsive to feedback and regularly update the app to fix issues.
- Several users report significant performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, especially when playing high-resolution videos or using certain VR headsets.
- The app has been criticized for its limited control options and navigation difficulties, particularly with certain VR controllers, leading to a frustrating user experience.
- Some users feel that the transition from a free to a paid model has not justified the cost, citing that other free alternatives offer similar or better functionality.
- optimization21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 62 % negative mentions
The optimization of the software has received mixed reviews, with many users experiencing significant stuttering during playback, particularly in VR settings, despite having high-end hardware. Some players report smooth performance with specific configurations, such as using NVMe drives, while others struggle even with lower-quality video files. Overall, performance seems heavily dependent on individual system specifications and setup, leading to a varied user experience.
“I recommend you use an NVMe drive for the best performance possible.”
“Performance is great, user interface is great, surroundings are very well done and it plays about every format out there, even remembering custom settings and play position - I cannot understand the negative reviews.”
“It doesn't have the same level of dynamic lighting as Bigscreen Beta or the multiplayer, but Skybox wins in terms of performance and for seeing your files in an easy built-in way.”
“Horrific stuttering since running this on an RTX 3080; it seemed to run fine on my old 1080 Ti.”
“I'm running a Valve Index on a 2080 Super, yet I get stuttering on potato quality 720p and lower VR video files in exactly the same way as the super high-res ones.”
“All skybox playback turned sluggish and stuttering, virtually unplayable.”
- story13 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The reviews primarily focus on the functionality of the app across different platforms rather than its story content. Users report a mixed experience, with the app performing well on the Oculus Quest but encountering significant issues on desktop versions, particularly with VR controllers and connectivity. While some users enjoyed watching movies like "Toy Story" in 3D on the Quest, the overall narrative experience is overshadowed by technical difficulties.
“I was able to lay on my bed and watch Toy Story in 3D.”
“The story is disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is shallow, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises.”
- stability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
User experiences with stability vary significantly; while some report smooth performance and effective troubleshooting support, others encounter frequent glitches and bugs, particularly with in-video controls and VR180 file playback. Overall, the application shows potential but suffers from notable stability issues that detract from the user experience.
“Runs great on this app.”
“The program glitches all the time (flickers etc) and doesn't even show nor play any of the VR180 files that I have.”
“Pretty fair player, but buggy and could be so much better than it currently is.”
“[*] in-video control scheme is buggy.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of this player are highly praised for their versatility, allowing users to enjoy a wide range of content in various modes. Reviewers highlight its successful combination of functionality, aesthetics, and user-friendliness, making it an excellent choice for both adult and non-adult VR videos.
“On this player, you can watch anything in any graphics and mode!”
“Achieves the ever rare tri-fecta of functionality, aesthetics, and ease of use.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the lack of intrusive advertising, which enhances their gaming experience, although some report issues with bugs that may be related to ad interactions or overall game performance.
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
“Many players experience bugs that seem to be triggered by the ads, leading to a frustrating gaming experience.”
“The reliance on ads for revenue detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report that gameplay can be negatively affected by mechanical drives, leading to stutters, and some SSDs may also contribute to performance issues.
“Mechanical drives may cause stutters, and even some SSD drives can lead to performance issues.”
