Horizon TV for Meta Quest: The New Virtual Movie Theater

La virtual reality has had an uneven run in Spain and, despite the big headlines in recent years, hasn't achieved the massive impact some had anticipated. Many users are clear that they don't want to spend any more time isolated from their surroundings, and therefore, augmented reality and mixed reality have been gaining ground as more natural ways of digital consumption.

In this context, Meta has doubled down on its commitment to turning the Quest into a complete entertainment device. During its annual event, Meta Connect, it unveiled Horizon TV, an app designed to centralize audiovisual viewing within the headset. Its objective is clear: that the Quest function as a center of streaming able to compete with him TV or the tablet, with a comfortable, immersive and well-integrated experience.

What is Horizon TV and why it matters

Horizon TV is an entertainment hub for Quest headsets that brings together popular video-on-demand services and live streaming. From day one, Meta has focused on ease of use and a VR-friendly interface, so browsing catalogs and playing content feels natural within the headset. The idea is simple: log in, choose a platform, you feel “at the cinema” and to enjoy.

Among the apps that are integrated are such recognizable names as Disney+, Prime Video, Peacock, Hulu, Twitch, and ESPN. Meta doesn't limit itself to linking apps, but rather focuses on a unified audiovisual consumption experience, with direct access to your favorite platforms without leaving the viewer.

The technical side also scores points: Horizon TV already supports Dolby Atmos surround sound, and Dolby Vision is expected to arrive soon. With this, the Quest ecosystem reinforces audio quality and paves the way for a noticeable improvement in the image, something crucial in home theater sessions. Dolby Atmos brings spatial immersion to sound, while Dolby Vision, when activated, will seek to optimize dynamic range and color in compatible content.

The great thing about watching movies or series on Quest is the "virtual movie theater." You can create a giant screen in front of you, whether you're in the living room or in bed, and enjoy the content with a surprising sense of scale. The megasize effect It is one of the distinguishing features compared to a conventional TV, especially if you don't have a projector or a large screen.

Catalog and agreements: Universal, Blumhouse and the appeal of 3D

Meta has accompanied the launch of Horizon TV with strategic agreements to strengthen its catalog. There are collaborations with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse that allow exclusive 3D titles to be offered, something that fits perfectly with the headset's capabilities. The Black Phone y M3GAN in 3D are examples cited, contents that, in an immersive environment, gain a new dimension.

In addition to movies, Horizon TV's positioning focuses on an offering that includes sports, events, and special content, aligned with Meta's ambition to make VR the mainstay of digital entertainment. “exclusive live entertainment” It is one of the pieces of the ecosystem, an area that could gain more relevance within the hub.

There is no shortage of rumors that fuel the excitement: there is talk of the possibility of major 3D releases designed to be seen on Quest, such as the hypothetical case of Avatar 3 if its arrival is confirmed. If it happens, it would be a differential value for the 3D viewer, an experience that, when well executed, is especially immersive.

Horizon TV vs. Alternatives: Virtual Desktop, Skybox, and the Usage Profile

Those who already watch movies on Quest have long relied on applications like Skybox and Virtual Desktop (VD) to play local content or stream from their PC. One user who has tested both for months highlights the immersion in the cinema environment, with the sensation of being in front of a screen thousands of inches wide and surprisingly sharp. dark room with giant screen It is difficult to replicate outside of VR.

The main advantage of solutions like Virtual Desktop is flexibility: you can play virtually anything, from local files to Blu-ray copies or 4K videos, adjusting subtitles, audio tracks and aspect ratio. VD It remains a fantastic choice for control and compatibility.

The use of VR-specific routers, such as the Puppis S1, is also mentioned to stabilize wireless transmission from the PC. Based on this experience, the VR + Puppis S1 combination can run smoothly, without stuttering or frame drops. Requires proper network and PC configuration, but once calibrated, movie playback is a joy.

As a curious addition, some people point out the arrival of a Puppis S1 Lite at around $40, which would make the $80 version less advisable if you're looking for something affordable. The sensible thing to do here is to assess your case: distance to router, Wi‑Fi saturation, interference and real needs. Ensure a stable link This is important if you choose to stream from your PC.

Where does Horizon TV fit into this scenario? In “hassle-free streaming.” If you're all about opening Disney+ or Prime Video and binging an episode, all-in-one hub It's incredibly convenient. Still, there are reasonable doubts about whether Horizon TV will be able to handle local files or highly customizable cinema environments like those found on VD or Skybox. If what you want is to take advantage of your local collection in the highest quality, for now VD will continue to have an advantage.; for binge-watching series on your platforms, Horizon TV seems more direct and friendly.

Hyperspace: Scan your environment and turn it into an interactive space

Together with Horizon TV, Meta showcased a beta feature called Hyperspace at Meta Connect. This tool, accessible through the Hyperscape Capture app, allows you to scan your physical environment and transform it into an interactive digital world. The scan completes in minutes, although high-quality rendering may take several hours.

The promise is that you'll be able to move around a digital version of your living room, bedroom, or study and customize it with a high level of detail. Imagine opening Horizon TV and "sitting" on the couch in your own virtual room, but with a colossal screen and improved sound. The bridge between real and virtual space It fits with Meta’s mixed reality strategy, and can make viewing content within the headset more natural.

If its maturity is confirmed, Hyperspace will foster an ecosystem where playing, chatting, working, and watching TV shows or movies can all happen without leaving the headset, in more familiar settings than a generic living room. blends into your everyday life, reinforcing the value of Horizon TV as a flagship application.

Beyond video: Meta Horizon's role in mobile

Meta also pushes its social and experience platform, Meta Horizon, in mobile devicesThis app allows you to discover worlds created by the community, play titles multiplayer free and socialize without always having to be in the viewer. customize your avatar with new clothes, hairstyles, poses and emotes, and share with friends instantly.

On the entertainment front, Meta Horizon on mobile stands out for its live and exclusive concerts, comedy, sports, and movies. With this foundation, the company is shaping an ecosystem where Horizon TV serves as the "center screen" while the other social and entertainment layers orbit around it. jump from one plan to another anytime, anywhere is the idea.

VR and mixed reality in Spain: from promise to everyday use

The Spanish market has been cautious with virtual reality: the promises of the "metaverse" haven't become a widespread habit. However, augmented and mixed reality better fit what many are looking for: use technology without completely isolating yourself from what's going on around you. This includes both Apple with Vision Pro and Meta with Quest.

Meta is also boosting its ecosystem with complementary products such as the new Ray-Ban display, and with the positioning of Quest as a great value headset. Good performance at a reasonable cost It is the key equation for proposals like Horizon TV to scale beyond the niche.

Audiovisual quality, limits and what's next

Dolby Atmos support is already on the table for Horizon TV, and Dolby Vision is expected to arrive soon. These are important credentials, because spatial audio and advanced dynamic range processing add a lot when you turn down the lights and "sit down" to watch a movie in VR. premium approach from the beginning it is a positive sign.

That said, you have to keep your expectations realistic: the Quest's display doesn't match the quality of a 4K TV. HDR High-end. Some users rightly remember this; VR's strong point isn't so much the pure pixel, but the sense of a giant room and immersion. If you prioritize absolute image fidelity, 4K HDR TV will continue to reignIf you value scale and isolation from the world to help you focus, the headset shines.

Frequently Asked Questions: Local Files, Personalization, and Social Media

One of the unknowns is whether Horizon TV will support local files or environment customization on the level of VD or Skybox. For now, public information emphasizes access to popular streaming platforms, not managing your local library. It's reasonable to think that the initial focus is the consumption of external apps, without closing the door to future improvements.

The announcement has also been echoed on social networks such as X (formerly Twitter), where sometimes embedded content requires activating JavaScript or using compatible browsers to view it. Beyond the embed technique, the interest in Horizon TV It is high, with debate about comfort compared to veteran solutions like Virtual Desktop.

Tips for choosing how to watch movies and TV shows on Quest

If your priority is your local files, Blu-ray copies, and full control over settings (subtitles, tracks, aspect ratio), Virtual Desktop or Skybox will still be a better fit for you. It requires some setup and a stable network, but the results are excellent when everything is set up correctly. A router tuned for VR can be the icing on the cake for a smooth experience.

If, on the other hand, you want maximum simplicity to open Disney+, Prime Video, or similar and binge-watch episode after episode, Horizon TV aims to be your direct entry, with less friction and better service integration. Watch sports, series or movies without jumping from app to app within the viewer. It is precisely the value of the hub that makes it attractive for everyday use.

Horizon TV arrives to complete the entertainment puzzle on Quest: quick access to the platforms you already use, with a giant room setting and audiovisual enhancements like Dolby Atmos (and Dolby Vision on the way). If Meta maintains the pace of agreements and as features like Hyperspace mature, we'll see the growth of an ecosystem capable of turning the headset into your favorite “living room” for digital entertainment.