SKYBOX Media Player, developed by Source Technology Co., Ltd., is an advanced media player designed for the Apple Vision Pro. Celebrated since its initial release in 2016, SKYBOX is renowned for its versatility and ease of use. Priced at $9.99, this app promises to play almost any media format, offering a seamless viewing experience for 2D, 3D, and VR content. This review delves into the features, user experience, and areas for improvement of SKYBOX Media Player.
SKYBOX Media Player supports an impressive array of video formats, including AV1, MP4, MKV, MOV, TS, and WEBM, among others. This extensive compatibility ensures users can play virtually any video file without needing to convert formats.
The app excels in handling immersive content, supporting 3D videos in Side-by-Side and Top-Bottom formats, as well as VR content in 180°, 360°, and Fisheye 200°/220° formats. This makes it an ideal choice for users who enjoy a diverse range of media types.
SKYBOX facilitates streaming from UPnP/DLNA media servers or SMB shares over the same Wi-Fi network. The free PC Client available at site further enhances this feature by enabling users to stream their PC screens to the Apple Vision Pro seamlessly.
One of the standout features is its ability to automatically recognize and set the appropriate stereo mode for videos. This eliminates the hassle of manually configuring settings for different types of content.
The app offers several advanced settings, including aspect ratio adjustment, color toning, variable-speed playback, and shuffle & repeat options. These features allow users to customize their viewing experience to their preferences.
SKYBOX supports external subtitles, complete with stylings and animated effects. This enhances the viewing experience for users who rely on subtitles for comprehension.
The ability to play high-resolution and HDR videos ensures that users enjoy a visually stunning experience. This is particularly important for those using the Apple Vision Pro, which boasts a high-quality display.
SKYBOX also supports viewing pictures, adding another layer of versatility to the app.
The option to stream screens from Windows systems adds a practical dimension for users who want to share presentations or other content directly from their PCs.
Customer reviews for SKYBOX Media Player highlight both strengths and areas for improvement. Many users appreciate its robust playback capabilities and support for various formats. However, there are notable criticisms regarding missing features and bugs.
Several users have reported issues with aspect ratio cropping, which can significantly detract from the viewing experience. This is a critical issue that the developers need to address promptly.
Users transitioning from other platforms, such as Meta Quest, have expressed disappointment over the absence of certain features, including different viewing environments like theaters, and the ability to play specific formats like MC-HEVC.
While some bugs, such as audio issues, have been resolved, others persist. Users have reported problems with 3D content displaying as 2D, and overall stability issues that need attention.
Improvements in user interface controls have been suggested, such as adding pinch gestures for fast forward and backward navigation without needing to open the control bar.
SKYBOX Media Player for Apple Vision Pro offers a robust and versatile media playback solution, with support for a wide range of formats and immersive content. Its automatic stereo mode detection and advanced playback settings are particularly noteworthy. However, to fully capitalize on its potential, the developers need to address existing bugs, improve aspect ratio handling, and introduce missing features to align it with user expectations from other platforms.
Despite some criticisms, SKYBOX remains a powerful tool for media enthusiasts using Apple Vision Pro. With ongoing updates and improvements, it has the potential to become the go-to media player for this platform. For now, it’s a solid choice for those looking for a comprehensive media player that can handle almost any type of content with ease.
