HEVC, the abbreviation of High-Efficiency Video Coding, also known as H.265, is the latest version of the video compression standard. H.265 has been widely used and enjoys great popularity with its superior compression ratio without losing quality. Many built-in apps in the newer macOS systems support HEVC decoding, so it can usually be played on the Mac. In contrast, Windows 10/11 and later operating systems may not support HEVC decoding by default. Besides, considering its advanced technology, limited video players support the playback of HEVC videos. Therefore, we introducethe best 6 HEVC players to help you gain a better audiovisual experience in watching videos.
HEVC video format, also known as H.265, is the abbreviation of High-Efficiency Video Coding and is known as a video compression standard. It is superior to the widely used H.264 (or AVC-Advanced Video Coding) standard. HEVC is designed to support higher resolutions, including ultra-high-definition and 4K resolutions, allowing for higher-quality video at lower bit rates compared to its predecessors.
Nowadays, HEVC is used in various applications, like YouTube, Netflix, and many others. As technology advances, HEVC file format continues to play a significant role in the delivery of high-quality video content.
Therefore, whether you watch short videos on streaming platforms or binge-watch on the computer, choosing a suitable HEVC player is quite important for us to enhance our audiovisual experiences. In the next part, we recommend 5 HEVC players we value best, hopefully delivering you a better watching experience.
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Here, we provide you with 5 HEVC players on Windows and Mac we evaluated best, and each is presented with a detailed introduction including main features, pros, and cons. Before that, let us have a look at the video formats they support.
| Player | Supported Formats | System | Supported Resolution | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player | TS, MTS, M2TS, MXF, TRP, TP, MP4, M4V, QT, MOV, MPG, MPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, MJPG, MJPEG, AVI, 3GP, 3G2, FLV, MOD, TOD, RM, RMVB, WMV, ASF, MKV, SWF, F4V, VOB, DAT, DV, DIF, WebM, etc. | Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS X 10.9 or later. | 4K | $15.6/Month |
| 5KPlayer | MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, MKV, MTS/M2TS, /264, VP8/9, WebM. | Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP, macOS/Mac OS X. | 4K, 8K | Free |
| VLC Media Player | MP3, WMV, WebM, MKV, MPEG-4/2 etc. | All versions of Windows, from Windows XP SP3 to the last version of Windows 11, Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later, Linux, Android Version 2.2 or later for older versions, Android Version 4.2 for the current version, iOS 9.0 or later. | 4K, 8K | Free |
| RealPlayer | AVI, WMA, MP4, FLV, MKV, MOV | Windows 11/10/8/7. | 4K | $24.99/Month |
| MPlayer | AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, MOV | Windows, MacOS X, Linux. | 4K | $39.95/Year |
| H.265 / HEVC player | MP4, MKV, H.265/HEVC, etc. | Online | 4K | Free |
AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player can be praised as an H.265 Player to watch Blu-ray, DVD, and digital media smoothly. This player can play 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies with advanced technology. Whether you play discs, watch videos, or listen to music, this all-in-one player can be an excellent choice. It supports Windows 11/10/8/7 and Mac OS X 10.9 or later. Just enjoy your HEVC movies with wonderful audiovisual effects on AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player.
Features:
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PROS
CONS
5KPlayer is an HEVC video player that supports H.265 codec, online video playback, and AirPlay streaming. It is extremely lightweight and convenient to use. It supports a wide range of formats, including 4K, HEVC, and common formats like MP4 and MP3.
Features:
PROS
CONS
VLC Media Player is another famous player that can play HEVC. It supports a wide range of video formats. If you are looking for a free HEVC player without paying money, VLC Media Player can meet your basic demands. Notably, sometimes VLC may not work and even crush for various reasons.
Features:
PROS
CONS
Besides the above players, we also reviewed RealPlayer, another freemium multimedia HEVC video player with additional features like media conversion and cloud storage. It can be a 3-in-1 tool featured by playing, storing, and converting. We have tested this player from various aspects, and you can gain a glimpse of this player with the following features.
Features:
PROS
CONS
MPlayer is a command-line multimedia HEVC player known for its efficiency and broad format support. It is not on the list of most attractive players, but it may be quite a good choice for users who prefer a concise and lightweight interface.
Features:
PROS
CONS
H.265 / HEVC player is a Chrome plugin for playing video files containing H.265 / HEVC media. As a free and online HEVC player, it is easier to use than the desktop program and is friendly for users who just use it temporarily. However, its features are limited, and some users have complained that it sometimes drops frames, so it may not be the best choice compared to a professional HEVC player.
Features:
• Play HEVC content with libde265.
• Play videos recorded in HEVC files.
• Supports common audio codecs and subtitles.
PROS
CONS
In this section, we will take AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player as an example to show you how to play HEVC/H.265 files. Here are its simple steps:
1. Download and install AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player, and then launch it on your computer.
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2. Click Open File to load the HEVC video you want to play to this HEVC video player.
3. After adding the HEVC/H.265 video file and loading it, it will start playing automatically. You can control play, pause, and volume in the menu bar below.
What is the difference between H.265 and H.264?
H.265 and H.264 are both video compression standards. H.265 offers better compression efficiency and is well-suited for high-resolution content, while H.264 remains a widely used and reliable codec, especially in applications where computational resources are limited or extensive hardware support is crucial.
How can I convert HEVC to MP4?
AnyMP4 Video Converter is a powerful tool that can help you convert HEVC to MP4 with 3 steps. Just input HEVC videos, choose the output format, make customized settings as you like, and then click Convert to finish the conversion.
How can I play H.265 for free?
VLC Media Player is totally a free player and is available to multi-platform. You can watch your movies on VLC Media Player.
Choosing a suitable and handy HEVC Player is vital to enhancing the watching experience. Considering the various demands of different target users, this article lists 6 HEVC players with their pros and cons for Windows, Mac, and online. AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player can be considered one of the best and most professional video players for HEVC. Feel free to try it now, and you will be bound to be satisfied! We sincerely hope that there is one that suits your needs. If you know more excellent and handier HEVC players, you can share them in the comment section!
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Posted by Angelica Liwanag to PlayerMore readings
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