How to Convert 3D Blu-ray to SBS 3D MKV/MP4: Detailed Guide in 2026

Converting a 3D Blu-ray to 3D SBS makes the movie easier to play on a compatible 3D TV, projector, VR headset, or media player without relying on the original disc every time. I would start by deciding between Half SBS and Full SBS, because that choice changes per-eye horizontal detail, frame size, and playback requirements. The source can be a 3D Blu-ray disc, ISO, or folder.

I focus on the settings that change the finished 3D SBS file: Half or Full SBS, H.264 or H.265, MKV or MP4, audio and subtitle handling, and the target display. SBS output and a lossless MVC remux are different types of 3D files, so the right format depends on where you plan to play it.

What Is 3D SBS? Half SBS vs Full SBS

SBS stands for Side-by-Side. A 3D SBS video places the left-eye and right-eye views next to each other inside one video frame. A compatible 3D TV, projector, or VR player separates those two views during playback so each eye receives a different image and the viewer sees depth.

The main choice is Half SBS or Full SBS. Half SBS stores each eye at half the horizontal resolution and fits both views into a 1920×1080 frame. Full SBS keeps 1920×1080 for each eye and combines them into a 3840×1080 frame, retaining more horizontal detail but requiring more storage, bandwidth, and decoder capability.

SBS vs MVC: Is SBS Lossless?

A 3D Blu-ray stores its stereoscopic picture using an AVC base view together with MVC data for the second eye. Keeping that MVC video in a compatible passthrough or remux format preserves the original 3D video structure.

SBS is different. To create an SBS MKV or MP4, the two eye views are arranged inside one side-by-side frame and the video is normally encoded with the selected output codec. An SBS conversion therefore should not be treated as a lossless copy of the original MVC video, even when a compatible lossless audio track is retained.

If preserving the original Blu-ray 3D video structure matters most and the playback software supports MVC, choose an MVC passthrough profile. For a 3D TV, projector, VR player, or app that expects Side-by-Side video, choose SBS instead.

Encoding and Container Basics for 3D SBS Blu-ray Rips

The video codec mainly affects file size and decoding compatibility. H.264 is the easier starting point when broad playback support matters. H.265 can reduce storage requirements at a similar quality target, but the TV, headset, media player, or app must support HEVC decoding.

The container determines how video, audio, and subtitle streams are packaged. MKV is useful when you need multiple audio tracks or subtitle streams, while MP4 is a simpler option for devices with strong H.264/MP4 support.

• Compatibility first: H.264 + MKV is a useful starting point when you want SBS playback with flexible audio and subtitle tracks.
• Smaller encoded files: H.265 + MKV makes sense when your TV, VR headset, or media app supports HEVC decoding.
• Simple device playback: H.264 + MP4 works well when the target device has broad MP4 support and you do not need the same level of track flexibility.

PGS subtitles can remain as subtitle streams with compatible output profiles. DVDFab can also render subtitles into the picture, extract supported subtitle streams, or convert Blu-ray subtitles to SRT with OCR on Windows.

How to Convert 3D Blu-ray to SBS 3D MKV/MP4 with DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper

DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper is a professional tool for converting 3D Blu-ray sources to SBS 3D videos. It can load a 3D Blu-ray disc, ISO file, or Blu-ray folder, and convert the source into SBS 3D MKV, SBS 3D MP4, AVI, WMV, and many other video formats. Before conversion, you can choose the output profile, adjust the SBS mode, select audio tracks and subtitles, edit the video, and decide where to save the final file.

Step 1: Open DVDFab and Load the 3D Blu-ray Source

Run DVDFab 13, go to the Ripper module, and load your Blu-ray disc, ISO file, or folder.

Step 2: Choose an SBS 3D MKV or MP4 Profile

Open Choose Other Profile to select a 3D video format. You can convert your Blu-ray to MP4, MKV, AVI, or another compatible output profile.

Step 3: Set Half SBS or Full SBS

Click the Advanced Settings icon to adjust video and audio parameters. In the 3D settings, choose Split Screen for SBS output, then select Half SBS or Full SBS according to the playback device and file-size requirements.

Step 4: Select Video, Audio, and Subtitle Settings

After choosing the SBS layout, check the video codec and the tracks you want to keep. Use H.264 when playback compatibility is the priority, or H.265 when the target device supports HEVC and you want a smaller encoded file.

Select the required audio track and subtitle mode on the main interface. With a compatible MKV profile, subtitle streams such as PGS can remain selectable instead of being permanently rendered into the picture. If you need SRT text subtitles, Blu-ray subtitle OCR is available on Windows.

Use the Video Editor only when you need to crop, trim, merge clips, add a watermark or external subtitle, or adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation.

Step 5: Start the SBS Conversion

Select the output folder at the bottom of the interface and click Start. DVDFab Blu-ray Ripper will encode the selected 3D Blu-ray title with the SBS, codec, audio, and subtitle settings you chose.

After conversion, play a short section on the target 3D device and check the aspect ratio, SBS mode, eye order, audio, and subtitles before converting additional titles.

Conclusion

Converting a 3D Blu-ray to SBS works best when the output matches the device that will play it. Half SBS with H.264 is a useful starting point for broad compatibility and smaller files, while Full SBS retains more horizontal detail when the player and display can handle the wider frame. H.265 is worth selecting when the target device supports HEVC and storage size matters.

Before converting several discs, check one finished file on the target TV, projector, or VR player for SBS mode, aspect ratio, eye order, audio, and subtitles. If preserving the original Blu-ray 3D video structure without SBS re-encoding is the priority, select an MVC passthrough format instead.