What is H.265?

H.265 (HEVC) offers 50% better compression than H.264. Learn when to use HEVC, its compatibility trade-offs, and how it compares to AV1.

  • Video Formats & Codecs
  • 5 related terms
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Definition

H.265 (also called HEVC) is a video compression codec that delivers up to 50% better compression than H.264 at the same quality, enabling smaller files and higher resolutions.

H.265 explained

H.265 (High Efficiency Video Coding) was standardized in 2013 as the successor to H.264. It achieves significantly better compression efficiency, making it ideal for 4K and 8K video where file sizes would be prohibitive with H.264. However, H.265 has more limited device support (especially older Android devices and browsers) and involves patent licensing complexities. Apple devices and Safari have strong H.265 support. For social media export, H.264 remains more reliable, but H.265 is preferred for archival, high-resolution masters, and Apple ecosystem delivery. AV1 is emerging as a royalty-free alternative with similar compression efficiency.

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