Theemby theater client that can be downloaded from the website does direct play hevc, but it can't handle scaling in windows and looks absolutely awful. The emby theater client available in the Microsoft Store is more compatible with Windows but it does not direct play hevc.
Thanks for the quick replies!
After buying(!) the "HEVC for video extensions" the Emby theater app available from the Microsoft Store does direct play HEVC. So happy days, my problem is resolved
Microsoft's "HEVC for video extensions" can be purchased from the Microsoft Store here:
My issues with the Emby Theater app available to download from the website was mainly that it isn't compatible out of the box with Windows scaling, with everything that entails. I don't have it installed anymore so can't easily provide screenshots. Not sure if it was connected to the scaling but it did not seem to be able to run in full screen (I could see the desktop around the edges of the expanded window). Not a big issues when browsing the library, but simply not OK when viewing media.
Sum: To download free HEVC codec, the link ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq no longer works. Luckily, you can still get the HEVC video extensions free from other sites, download free HEVC codecs, and use HEVC codec alternatives.
HEVC (aka H.265) has earned its reputation since 2014 when Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft announced HEVC support for their products in succession. From then on, the video codec is applied to a wide range of fields, incl. GoPro, iPhone, modern cameras, 4K/8K high-resolution videos, online streaming, 4K Blu-rays, and so on. However, Microsoft doesn't provide native support for the HEVC codec in Windows 11/10.
In this article, we will focus on how to free download HEVC codec extensions for 4K/8K video playback, and how to play HEVC videos without installing extra HEVC/H.265 codec packs, explaining what is HEVC codec, together with errors and FAQs about HEVC playback that users concern most.
Summary: You can open "ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq" to download free HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer. But if this doesn't work, you can always buy and download the official HEVC extensions from the Microsoft Store. Meanwhile, there are various free HEVC codec packs and VLC to help open HEVC H.265 videos.
Codec packs make video playing easier by installing a number of different codecs at once. But they are likely to pose software conflict and are full of adware or spyware. That's exactly why Windows 10 introduces HEVC codec extensions officially. Microsoft charges for its official HEVC codec $0.99. Before you free download the HEVC video extensions and make a purchase, continue to read to make a well-informed decision.
The official HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) video extension from Microsoft offers several advantages. Firstly, it is guaranteed to be 100% safe and clean, providing users with confidence in its reliability. Additionally, it is highly compatible, allowing for the seamless opening of HEVC videos on all Windows applications and smart TVs. Moreover, the installation process is straightforward, ensuring users can start using it without much hassle.
However, there are some notable drawbacks to consider. Firstly, it's arguable that HEVC support should be a standard, built-in feature in Microsoft products, rather than requiring a separate extension. This may be seen as a limitation for users who expect basic video format support to be included by default. Users may encounter occasional issues with Microsoft's HEVC video extensions. In cases where errors occur, troubleshooting can be challenging, and there is no option for a refund, potentially leaving users frustrated. It's worth noting that the HEVC codec demands specific hardware capabilities, such as an Intel 7th Generation Core processor and a newer GPU, in order to play HEVC videos in 4K and higher resolutions. This requirement may limit accessibility for users with older or less powerful systems.
Step 1. Click the Start menu and open the Microsoft Store. Or go to the Microsoft store page. Search for the HEVC codec and you will see the $0.99 HEVC Video Extensions package. Enter in the details page and click the "Buy" button to get the code that will be sent to your email.
By the way, Microsoft automatically installs security updates for these codecs for security purposes. So make sure to enable "Update Apps Automatically" in "Settings". Still, some unlucky users are encountering errors with the HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft on Windows 10. For example, there are errors like the HEVC extension is not launching, can't download/install the HEVC extensions after purchase, won't open MKV videos with HEVC codec, etc.
There was a package "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" which was free to download on Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store. The free HEVC codec extension for Windows 10/Windows 11 is exactly the same as the $0.99 official HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft but is free. However, you can't get the free version of the HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer via the link ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq or other links.
Luckily, you can still find the HEVC Video Extension available for free download for Windows 10 and Windows 11 on other sites, like
free-codecs.com and codecguide. Below are the download links of the HEVC video extensions:
Simply enter the links into your browser, then you can select and download the 32-bit or 64-bit version of HEVC codec on your Windows. With the HEVC Video Extension downloaded and installed, you can also view .HEIC photos without further codecs.
4. The HEVC codec extensions are compatible with Windows built-in apps. But it may not work with other players and editors. So you may see Premiere Pro or Filmora asking you to install HEVC codec after you download the Microsoft HEVC video extensions. Try other free HEVC codec packs below.
As Windows 10/11 doesn't contain a built-in HEVC codec, it will give you an error asking you to download the HEVC Video Extensions for $0.99 when you try to play an HEVC video using Microsoft's programs. How to download HEVC codec extensions for Windows 10 Media player or other video player software? What if you don't want to spend $0.99 on Microsoft's HEVC codec extensions?
Beginners may search HEVC codec extensions on Google or software download sites to get a direct download link. But the random results are quite confusing. So, we list the following reliable HEVC (H.265) codecs for you to download on Windows 10.
x265 is an open-source HEVC encoder application library that helps users encode video/images into an HEVC bitstream. It's available under either GNU GPL 2 license or a commercial license. This codec aims to provide the best HEVC/H.265 encoder and deliver the highest encoding speed and visual quality. It has been adopted by many open-source programs, incl. FFMPEG, Handbrake, AviDemux, Openshot, etc. The latest version is v3.5 at 1.5MB in size, you can download x265 v3.5 here >> x265 offers a range of encoding parameters that allow users to fine-tune compression settings to suit their specific needs. This level of configurability is valuable for professional video encoding.
Using x265 to its full potential may require some knowledge of video encoding principles and settings. This might be a barrier for novice users. Real-time encoding of extremely high-resolution videos (8K and above) may be impractical for most consumer-grade hardware due to the immense computational requirements.
K-Lite Codec Pack[2] is a collection of video and audio codecs with DirectShow filters and VFW codecs built into its system. It enables software and operating system to play many popular video and audio formats. Since version 10.10, the K-Lite Codec Pack Mega added support for decoding HEVC. So if with the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack installed on your Windows, you can play HEVC video extensions free on Windows 10/8/7/XP (64 & 32 bit) without trouble. Download the latest codec pack for HEVC playing here >>
K-Lite is for end-users who want a convenient solution for playing various media files. x265 is for content creators and professionals who need to compress video files efficiently. You can use x265 to encode videos and then use K-Lite to play them.
Media Player Codec Pack Plus is a free HEVC/H.265 codec pack that will work in Microsoft Windows Media Player as well as any other DirectShow compatible player. With the free HEVC codec downloaded on Windows 11/10, you can play videos in HEVC, H.265, 10bit x265, MP4, MKV, AVI, WebM, M4V, and more. HEVC videos in 4K and higher resolutions are supported. It supports GPU hardware acceleration from Nvidia, AMD, ATI, and Intel for smooth HEVC playback.
There are three different builds of the HEVC codec packincluding Standard, Plus, and Lite. The Media Player Codec Pack Plus stands out from the standard Media Player Codec Pack by offering a broader selection of encoder codecs, including extra 64-bit variants. It provides comprehensive support for all file formats and compression types commonly employed in modern video and audio files.
DivX is one of the most popular video codecs with the implementation of several mainstream video and audio standards, including DivX, MKV, HEVC/H.265 up to 4K, H.264, MPE4, AVI, MPEG-2, AAC, AC3, DLNA, DTS-HD, etc. The most recent version of the DivX codec itself is v10.8.10. It is built-in DivX HEVC Ultra HD codec extension, meant to help users create and play HEVC videos up to 4K UHD. You can download the DivX codec here. (Note that the DivX 10 HEVC codec pack for Windows may contain ads)
DivX is primarily used for video compression and playback, with a focus on maintaining high quality at reduced file sizes. The Media Player Codec Pack is more generalized, providing a wide range of codecs and tools for enhancing multimedia playback.
Except for the above free HEVC video codec packs and extensions, you can also download Windows 10 Codec Pack or Media Player Codec Pack Plus to have a try. They also support a wealth of compression and file types used by modern video and audio files, from x265 to H.265/HEVC, 10bit x264, H.264, AVCHD, DivX, XviD, MP4, MPEG2, etc.
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