Many will certainly have become familiar with the videos shared with the H.264 codec, the most used with MP4 and MKV files in order to transport the video component with a very effective compression level and a very good overall quality; for some time, however, the sharing of video files created with the H.265 HEVC codec, better identified as x265, has increased (we can find this abbreviation on shared files on the Internet). But how does this new video codec behave and how can we read it effectively on our devices (PC, smartphone and tablet) "> Connect mobile phone or tablet to TV (Android, iPhone or iPad)
What is H.265 HEVC
The H.265 HEVC is a new video codec designed to optimize the ratio between compression and video quality, especially with high resolutions and bitrates . Compared to H.264 we can therefore find a higher level of compression without losing the quality we set ourselves to achieve: in a nutshell we can obtain smaller files but with a truly superior quality. The H.265 HEVC is designed to be able to spread 4K streams in the coming years, given that with bitrates compatible with current transmission media (satellite, digital terrestrial and the Internet) we will have beautiful images and we will not have to use too much additional band; as a codec, however, it lends itself very well even with the streams in HD (720p and 1080p) even if in this case the difference is really minimal with H.264 (practically equivalent).
It is no coincidence that for the diffusion of 4K videos on the Internet (especially on sharing channels) H.265 HEVC is now preferred to the older codec, since it saves a lot of space (4K videos are very already large) and still maintain a resolution with a very good bitrate.
How to create H.265 HEVC videos
The easiest and fastest way to create H.265 HEVC videos starting from a RAW video (ie without other types of compression) is to use the free Handbrake program.
We load our video into the program, go to the Video tab and select the x265 codec.
When ready we click Start Encode to start the conversion. Obviously we don't use this codec if we have a video already compressed in H.264, since we won't get any actual improvement on the video. More information on the use of the Handbrake program can be found in the following guide.
READ ALSO: Convert videos and DVDs to MP4 or MKV on PC and Mac with Handbrake
How to read H.265 HEVC files on Windows and Mac
If we have a PC with Windows or a Mac, we can read all types of videos regardless of the codecs used by installing the free and open source VLC program .
With VLC we won't have to worry about having to check the codecs in advance, since it supports all those created in the computer world!
All you have to do is open the program, click on the Media -> Open file menu at the top left and select any MKV file that uses the H.265 HEVC codec to start playback smoothly and precisely. On Windows 10 we could also use the Film and TV program, included in the operating system, pity that the H.265 HEVC codec is paid !
Better at this point to tack on VLC to play all types of videos for free and without paying a single euro.
4) How to read H.265 HEVC files on Android
If we have a smartphone or tablet with Android operating system we can correctly play videos with the H.265 HEVC codec using the free MX Player app.
Once installed this app we can play any type of video without problems and with a very good fluidity, whatever the phone we have. In the initial screen it will immediately show all the video files present in the device (both in the internal memory and on the possible microSD), we will only have to click on the H.265 HEVC video to start playback.
If we don't like the reported app or we want to avoid the advertising banner, we can always install the version of VLC for Android, available here -> VLC Android .
This app works as well as on Windows and does not present any type of advertising, making it even more practical and safe to use than MX Player.
We do not exclude that many players integrated by the various smartphone manufacturers (Samsung and Huawei above all) integrate the support for this codec in their products, but personally we always recommend using one of these apps to read videos from the Android phone, whatever the chosen manufacturer.
How to read H.265 HEVC files on iOS
We have an iPhone or iPad and we don't know how to open videos that use the H.265 HEVC codec "> dedicated guide . Once the system is updated, just open the file from the Gallery app to start playback.
If at all costs we want to use another video player on the iPhone or iPad, we can download the free VLC app for iOS or one of the alternatives below:
- KMPlayer
- PlayerXtreme Media Player
- Infuse 5
We have a good number of apps to choose from to play videos in H.265 HEVC when we use an Apple product.
How to read H.265 HEVC files on Smart TV
If we have a Smart TV in the house, we must first check that the H.265 HEVC codec is included in the entire multimedia system of the TV, otherwise it will not be possible to play any videos. From January 2018 it is mandatory by law to sell only TVs with DVB-T2 and H.265 HEVC support, so if we have purchased a new TV from this date we can be sure that we can read MKV files with this codec (by passing them through a USB stick or via LAN using DLNA).
If we have an older TV, carefully check the packaging or the user manual of the device, checking that there is support for the H.265 HEVC video codec (we can also find only H.265 or HEVC, they are the same) .
If we don't find anything, it means that support for this type of video file is not present: better get a good Android TV Box immediately and connect it to the TV, so you can take advantage of VLC or MX Player and read any type of video file.
READ ALSO See Movies and videos on Smart-TV from PC, web and smartphone
