Last updated on 2024-05-20, by Wendy Cheng

How Do I Convert H.265 to H.264?

Many digital media fans are searching for solutions or tools to convert H265 to H264 files online. If you are one of them, stop your feet here and take a careful look into this guide. We in this guide would show you different solutions on how to convert H265 to H264 so as to let you freely enjoy high quality H265 videos on devices that support H264 files without quality loss.

Part 1: Brief Introduction to H.265 vs. H.264

Firstly, let's briefly introduce the H265 and H264 to you with simple words. H.265, which is also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) and MPEG-H Part 2, is a video compression standard. In comparison to H.264, H.265 comes with higher data compression. Compared to H.264, H.265 could either compress files by up to 2 times without losing video quality or substantially improve video quality at the same bit rate. The video reslution of H.265 videos could reach up to 8192×4320, including 8K UHD.

On the contrast, H.264, which is alao known as Advanced Video Coding, is a block-oriented motion-compensation-based video compression standard. In the 2010 decade, H.264 has become one of the most popular formats for people to record, compress and distribute videos.

As a new standard, H.265 is superior to H.264 in multiple aspects. The biggest advanced feature is that HEVC allows you to further compress files for reducing size and required bandwith of live streaming videos. To make it simple, H.265 files provide clearer image quality at the same size or occupy less storage for the same file, in comparison to the same file in H.264 encoding.

Currently, H.264 has been widely accepted and adopted by most media players and devices, while H.265 is only accepted by some 4K/8K players. Therefore, sometimes we may need to convert H265 to H264 for unlimited playback.

Part 2: How to Convert H.265 to H.264 with Handbrake

Handbrake is a wonderful tool to help you handle many kinds of video conversions. You could use Handbrake to convert H265 to H264 easily.

You could check the below steps to learn how to use Handbrake to convert H.265 to H.264 for free.

1. Launch Handbrake. Click "Open Source > File" button to load source H.265 file.

2. You can click the "Add to Queue" button to convert HEVC to H.264 Handbrake in batches.

3. In the Destination field, specify the file name and folder to save the output H264 file.

4. Choose MP4 container in the Output Setting. You need to check if the video codec for the MP4 is H.264 by clicking Video.

5. Press "Start Encode" icon on the top bar to begin the HEVC H.265 to MP4 (H.264) transcoding in Handbrake at once.

It would be quite easy for you to convert H265 to H264 with the help of Handbrake. Once the conversion completes, you are free to play the converted H.265 files on any H.264 compatible media players and even portable devices.

Part 3: How to Convert H.265 to H.264 with Video Converter

You could also use Leawo Video Converter to change H.265 file to H.264 code. As a top-notch video converting softwae tool, Leawo Video Converter could handle video and audio conversions between varsiou formats including MOV, MP4, MKV, WMV, AVI, FLV, MPEG, etc. Performing as H265 to H264 encoder, it could help you transcode H265 file to H264 easily by allowing you to select H.264 as the output video codec.

After you have installed Leawo Video Converter on your computer, you could follow the below guide to learn how to convert H.265 to H.264 with Leawo Video Converter.

Step 1: Add source H.265 video files

Kick off Leawo Prof. Media (Leawo Video Converter is a module inside Leawo Prof. Media) on your computer and then click the "Convert" tab or the "Video Converter" module. On the "Convert" interface, click the "Add Video" drop-down button to add either H.265 video files or H.265 video folder for converting.

Step 2: Set H.264 video output

After loading source H.265 files, click the "Output File" drop-down button. And then on the drop-down menu, choose "Change" option to enter the "Profile" panel. Choose H.264 coded format from "Format" or other tabs. MP4 Video under the "Format > Common Video" group is recommended since it is the most popular video format that supports H.264 code.

Since you need to get H.264 encoded file as output, you need to make sure the video codec of output file is H.264. On the drop-down menu mentioned above, hit the "Edit" button to enter the "Profile Settings" window, where you could adjust video codec (choose H.264), bit rate, aspect ratio, frame rate, audio codec, etc.

Step 3: Set conversion directory

After adjusting output video and audio parameters, save changes and quit the "Profile Settings" window. Then, hit the green "Convert" button to call out a side bar on the right, where you need to set conversion directory in the "Save to" box to save output H.264 video files.

Step 4: Convert H.265 to H.264

Finally, click the bottom "Convert" button. Leawo Video Converter would then start to convert H.265 to H.264 for you immediately.  

Extension: The Best 10 bit HEVC Video Player

There are questions like “Is there any video player for 10-Bit HEVC?” Currently very few media players could play back H.265 files. However, you could turn to Leawo Blu-ray Player, a totally free media player that could perform as H.265 (HEVC) media player to play back all HEVC files on your computer for you.

Key features of Leawo Blu-ray Player:

1. Region free disc player to play back Blu-ray and DVD discs for free, regardless of disc protections and region restrictions.

2. Free HD video player to play back 4K videos back without any quality loss.

3. Superb free DVD player to play back DVD disc, be it commercial or not.

4. Free ISO image file player to play back video ISO image file just like disc playback.

5. Support H.265 file playback without any quality loss.

6. Virtual remote controller upon Blu-ray disc menu for offhand operation.

7. Practical battery monitor to monitor battery status.

With Leawo Blu-ray Player, you could freely play back H265 files and H264 files without any quality loss on your computer.