While HEVC is widely used for 4K/8K videos, format-not-supported problems are still reported from time to time. Luckily, we can convert HEVC to MP4 H.264 format for top compatibility. Go ahead and read about the 5 best HEVC video converters we tested.
Why Convert HEVC to or from MP4 H.264?
Why Convert Videos to HEVC?
HEVC, also known as H.265, is a codec usually placed in MP4, MOV, or MKV containers. It compresses raw video data efficiently, thus works well for high-resolution 4K/HD videos in a relatively small file size.
Why Convert HEVC to MP4 H.264?
MP4 H.264 is a classic video format that can play on almost any device and platform. It's great for scenarios where adaptability is your top concern, like sharing videos to diverse audiences on social media, or watching your movie collection on multiple devices.
HEVC vs MP4 - What's Their Relation
| Feature | HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) | MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Name | H.265 or MPEG-H Part 2 | MPEG-4 Part 14 |
| Purpose | Video compression standard | Digital multimedia container format |
| Function | • Improves compression efficiency compared to H.264/AVC. • Achieves better video quality at the same bit rate or the same quality at a lower bit rate. |
• Stores video, audio, and other data like subtitles and still images. • Versatile format supporting various types of multimedia. |
| Usage | • Streaming high-definition and ultra-high-definition video content. • Used for 4K and 8K resolution videos. |
• Common container format for distributing video and audio content on the internet. • Supported by almost all media players and devices. |
Top 5 HEVC Converters at a Glance
After testing, we selected 5 free HEVC video converters that can convert between HEVC and MP4 with little to no quality loss.
Our Test Standards
We converted a 90-second 4K HEVC clip to MP4 H.264, then converted back to HEVC. After comparing the tools' output quality and processing speed, we selected the top 5 HEVC converters. Our test environment is as follows:
- Windows 10 Pro 22H
- Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10400 CPU
- Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 graphics card
| Converter | Processing Speed | Output Quality | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tipard Video Converter Ultimate | 13s | Very Good | Easy |
| FFmpeg | 14s | Best | Advanced |
| HandBrake | 27s | Very Good | Moderate |
| VLC Media Player | 56s | Good | Easy |
| AnyConv | 201s | Good | Easy |
Top 1. Tipard Video Converter Ultimate
Tipard Video Converter Ultimate is an effective solution for converting HEVC to MP4 or vice versa. It is both feature-rich and user-friendly. This tool ensures fast, lossless conversion of your HEVC videos, making it perfect for smooth playback across all devices.
- 500+ video and audio formats supported.
- GPU acceleration from Intel, AMD, NVENC, etc.
- Preserve the original quality of the HEVC videos.
- Convert multiple HEVC videos to MP4 simultaneously, saving time and effort.
- Edit the video directly within the software.
Step 1 Download Tipard Video Converter Ultimate from the official website and install it on your Windows or Mac.
Step 2 To begin, open the software and click Add Files to add your HEVC videos. Alternatively, drag them onto the central interface.
Step 3 Open the Output Format drop-down list at the bottom. Choose the Video tab and then MP4. Depending on your preference, you can choose H.264 or H.265 codecs for the MP4 format.
Step 4 Once you have set everything up, click Convert All.
Top 2. Handbrake
Handbrake is another excellent video converter. This free open-source transcoder supports many input and output formats, including HEVC. Handbrake has a clean interface and strong conversion abilities, making it a popular choice among users of Mac and Windows alike.
Step 1 Download Handbrake and install it.
Step 2 Then, launch it on your computer. Open the main window by dragging your HEVC file or select Open Source from the system.
Step 3 Under the Summary tab, make sure the output format is MP4.
Step 4 After that, go to the Video tab and change settings under Video Encoder, if needed.
Step 5 To convert your HEVC video to MP4, click the Start button in the program's top menu bar.
Top 3. VLC Media Player
You probably have heard of or are already using VLC Media Player. It is a very popular free video player available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, known for its compatibility. But VLC is not just an HEVC player. Beyond playback, VLC also supports conversion to a variety of formats.
Step 1 On your computer, download and install VLC Media Player. Open VLC, go to Media, then select Convert/Save in the dropdown menu.
Step 2 Click on Add under the File tab to select the HEVC-codec video file you want to convert.
Step 3 Click the Convert/Save button.
Step 4 Select either Video – H264 + MP3 (MP4) or Video – H265 + MP3 (MP4) from the Profile dropdown.
Step 5 Now hit Browse to choose a save location and provide the name of the output file at the end. After that, click the Start button on the bottom right side of the window to convert your HEVC video into MP4.
Top 4. FFmpeg
FFmpeg is a powerful command-line tool for converting videos on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It can convert almost any files to and from HEVC, and shrink file sizes while preserving quality.
The catch? FFmpeg doesn't have a point-and-click interface. You use it via simple text commands in a prompt. It's an advanced tool best for techy users who know command lines. For those who don't, we provide a basic command for you get a feel quickly.
Step 1 Install FFmpeg, then open Command Prompt, PowerShell, or a terminal and type ffmpeg -version to make sure it works.
Step 2 On Windows: Hold Shift and right-click inside the video folder, then click Open PowerShell window here or Open in Terminal.
On Mac/Linux: Open Terminal, then use the cd command to go to the folder, e.g. cd ~/Desktop.
Step 3 Run the conversion command: ffmpeg -i [your input video's file name].mp4 -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -preset medium -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac -movflags +faststart output.mp4.
Step 4 Wait for the conversion to finish.
Top 5. AnyConv
AnyConv.com is a free online converter that can handle a wide range of files and allows users to batch-convert multiple files at once, but with a limit of 100MB each time and 60 files per hour. As a result, it's best for converting short HEVC clips for casual use.
Step 1 Go to anyconv.com. To upload your HEVC video from your computer, click CHOOSE FILE.
Step 2 In the Conversion option, select MP4. Click the CONVERT button to start the conversion process.
Step 3 Click Download to save the resulting MP4 file on your device.
Conclusion
We recommended 5 best tools to convert HEVC to MP4. By following the steps given in this article for Tipard Video Converter Ultimate, VLC, Handbrake, or online converters, you can enjoy high-quality videos that are compatible with many devices and platforms.
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