H265 File Extension

What is H265 file?

Videos encoded in H.265 compression standard - High Efficiency Video Codec, or HEVC, may be saved as .H265 files. HVEC format was developed in 2013 as a successor to H.264 and offers support for 8K resolutions and better compression ratios. The format was developed by a organization called Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC). Many updates to the standard have been introduced since. Files that used H.265 compression are commonly saved as .MOV or .MP4 files.

H265 performance - parameters

H.265 offers up to 50% better compression performance than its predecessor, which means that that same video data of similar image quality will take less disk space. The standard support resolutions up to 8192 by 4320 px, including 8K UHD picture format. High Efficiency Image Format HEIF standard is based on H.265 codec.

Usage of .H265 files

The .H265 file format is not commonly used and thus not many video players support it natively. Some players that support H265 files are VLC Media Player or Corel VideoStudio. There are tools that allow conversion of H265 files to other popular multimedia containers that support H.265 standard. HEVC encoding offers excellent multimedia streaming, videoconferencing, and high-quality video container capabilities.

Programs which support H265 file extension

Below you will find an index of software programs that can be used to open H265 files divided into 3 categories according to system platform supported. H265 files can be encountered on all system platforms, including mobile, yet there is no guarantee each will properly support such files.

Updated: 05/11/2023

How to open file with H265 extension?

There can be multiple causes why you have problems with opening H265 files on given system. Fortunately, most common problems with H265 files can be solved without in-depth IT knowledge, and most importantly, in a matter of minutes. We have prepared a listing of which will help you resolve your problems with H265 files.

Step 1. Download and install VLC media player

The main and most frequent cause precluding users form opening H265 files is that no program that can handle H265 files is installed on user’s system. This one is an easy one. Select VLC media player or one of the recommended programs (for example, Elmedia Player, KMPlayer, Cyberlink PowerDVD) and download it from appropriate source and install on your system. Above you will find a complete listing of programs that support H265 files, classified according to system platforms for which they are available. One of the most risk-free method of downloading software is using links provided by official distributors. Visit VLC media player website and download the installer.

Step 2. Check the version of VLC media player and update if needed

If you already have VLC media player installed on your systems and H265 files are still not opened properly, check if you have the latest version of the software. It may also happen that software creators by updating their applications add compatibility with other, newer file formats. If you have an older version of VLC media player installed, it may not support H265 format. All of the file formats that were handled just fine by the previous versions of given program should be also possible to open using VLC media player.

Step 3. Associate H.265 High Efficiency Video Format files with VLC media player

After installing VLC media player (the most recent version) make sure that it is set as the default application to open H265 files. The next step should pose no problems. The procedure is straightforward and largely system-independent

Selecting the first-choice application in Windows

• Clicking the H265 with right mouse button will bring a menu from which you should select the Open with option
• Select Choose another app → More apps
• The last step is to select Look for another app on this PC option supply the directory path to the folder where VLC media player is installed. Now all that is left is to confirm your choice by selecting Always use this app to open H265 files and clicking OK.

Selecting the first-choice application in Mac OS

• Right-click the H265 file and select Information
• Find the Open with option – click the title if its hidden
• Select VLC media player and click Change for all...
• If you followed the previous steps a message should appear: This change will be applied to all files with H265 extension. Next, click the Continue button to finalize the process.

Step 4. Ensure that the H265 file is complete and free of errors

If you followed the instructions form the previous steps yet the issue is still not solved, you should verify the H265 file in question. Problems with opening the file may arise due to various reasons.

1. Verify that the H265 in question is not infected with a computer virus

If the file is infected, the malware that resides in the H265 file hinders attempts to open it. Scan the H265 file as well as your computer for malware or viruses. H265 file is infected with malware? Follow the steps suggested by your antivirus software.

2. Check whether the file is corrupted or damaged

If the H265 file was sent to you by someone else, ask this person to resend the file to you. The file might have been copied erroneously and the data lost integrity, which precludes from accessing the file. When downloading the file with H265 extension from the internet an error may occurred resulting in incomplete file. Try downloading the file again.

3. Ensure that you have appropriate access rights

Some files require elevated access rights to open them. Log out of your current account and log in to an account with sufficient access privileges. Then open the H.265 High Efficiency Video Format file.

4. Verify that your device fulfills the requirements to be able to open VLC media player

If the systems has insufficient resources to open H265 files, try closing all currently running applications and try again.

5. Check if you have the latest updates to the operating system and drivers

Latest versions of programs and drivers may help you solve problems with H.265 High Efficiency Video Format files and ensure security of your device and operating system. It is possible that one of the available system or driver updates may solve the problems with H265 files affecting older versions of given software.

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