Abstract: Provided is a file format for encoded image data which can be reproduced into a lifelike stereoscopic image by a display apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic image. The file format for an encoded stereoscopic image includes an image data unit containing image information of the encoded stereoscopic image and a header unit containing meta data used to decode and reproduce the image information of the encoded stereoscopic image contained in the image data unit. The header unit can include at least one header unit of a camera header sub-unit containing information on left and right cameras used to acquire the stereoscopic image, a codec header sub-unit containing information on the encoding of the stereoscopic image, and a display header sub-unit containing information on a barrier type display apparatus for receiving and reproducing the encoded stereoscopic image data.