A user-developed Chrome extension called framedepth is enabling stereoscopic 3D viewing for YouTube videos on the Steam Frame. This development offers a new way to experience 3D content, reminiscent of the Nintendo 3DS era, by transforming standard videos into a more immersive, three-dimensional format.
The framedepth plugin, available on GitHub, requires the Steam Frame to be in developer mode and involves a multi-step installation process. Users must first install Chrome on the Steam Frame, which necessitates accessing the SteamOS desktop and using the Konsole to install via Flathub. Following this, framedepth must be downloaded from GitHub, and additional commands must be executed in the terminal. The extension then needs to be loaded into Chrome, also requiring developer mode to be enabled for extensions within the browser. Once installed, the 3D effect can be activated and adjusted through a dropdown menu directly within Chrome.
The author reports that the stereoscopic effect, particularly when the pop-out slider is maximized, adds a noticeable, albeit not overwhelming, level of immersion to videos. Watching live concerts and eating challenge videos on YouTube provided a “slightly more engaging” experience than standard playback. While not creating a fully immersive sensation, the extension is described as a promising endeavor for those looking to experiment with 3D technology on their Steam Frame. It serves as a method to re-engage with 3D concepts that previously failed to achieve widespread adoption.