5 Best Ways to Convert H265 to H264 on Windows & Mac

H.264 or Advanced Video Coding (AVC) is a video compression standard based on block-oriented, motion-compensated coding, and is very common in recording, compressing, and distributing video content. It enjoys over 91% popularity due to its high compatibility while extending support for up to 8K UHD videos.

H.265 or High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is a more advanced video compression standard and succeeds AVC. However, even with better data compression ( 25-50%), the H.265 codec is not supported by all devices and platforms like H.264.

To bridge this gap, it becomes necessary to convert H.265 to H.264. In light of that, this article gets you acquainted with the best ways to convert H264 to H265 without compromising the original quality.

Convert H.265 to H.264 with Best H265 to H264 Converter

# TalkHelper Video Converter (Recommended)

TalkHelper Video Converter offers the best way overall to convert H265 to H264 or H264 to H265. The most outstanding feature is that you will obtain only the highest quality possible in every conversion task you undertake. To save you time and effort, this encoding software presents batch processing capabilities backed by multi-core processing.

Even better, you get to pick your preferred quality, work with lots of H265/H264 formats like MP4, MKV, MPEG, AVI, MOV, besides a built-in video downloader.

Steps to to Convert H265 to H264 with TalkHelper Video Converter:

Step 1: Import the H.265 video to convert by expanding the “Add Media” menu and clicking on the “Add Video File…” option or simply drag and drop the file in the list section.

Step 2: From the “Output Format” drop-down menu section, configure the output to any video format that has support for the H.264 codec like MKV or MP4.

Step 3: Choose your preferred destination directory, tweak the video’s output quality to fit your preferences, and click on the “Start Convert” button.

How to Convert H.265 Video to H.264 with Freeware

# HandBrake

HandBrake is a free and open-source H265 to H264 converter that is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and Mac. With it, you get to transcode native H.265 files into H.264 conveniently, not forgetting the ability to rip unprotected DVDs and Blu-rays. Also, you can take advantage of the well-thought conversion presets that go a long way to cut down the number of options to tweak when converting H.265 to H.264.

Pros:

• Allows you to crop and resize videos
• Offers options to batch convert and queue tasks
• Multiplatform tool
• Delivers high-quality output
• Offers conversion presets

Cons:

• Supports only 3 output formats
• May take time to complete tasks

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

Steps to Transform H.265 Files into H.264 with HandBrake:

Step 1: Open the H.265 video file that you need to transform into H.264.

Step 2: Choose an H.264 preset, configure the output format to MKV, MP4, or M4V, set the output directory for the converted video file, and click on the “Start Encode” button.

# FFmpeg

FFmpeg allows you to encode H.265 files into the largely compatible H.264 files with a lot of flexibility. This H265 to H264 converter is not for the faint-hearted as it is a command-driven tool. And even so, it still manages to help you change the video bandwidth, bitrate, compression ratio, scale, and edit the clip before saving it in the H264 codec. Still, this encoding software is swift and delivers exemplary output.

Pros:

• Offers a ton of features and file security
• Available on multiple platforms
• Presents some video editing options
• Supports a lot of media formats
• Offers various encoders and decoders

Cons:

• No graphical user interface
• Can prove cumbersome for most users

Supported OS: Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Steps to Convert H265 Video to H264 Using FFmpeg:

Step 1: Download and extract the necessary FFmpeg executables to aid in the task to turn H.265 into H.264.

Step 2: In the directory containing the FFmpeg executables, place the source H.265 video file.

Step 3: Launch a command window in the source directory, type the conversion command as below (keep in mind to substitute “videoh265” with your file’s name), and hit the “Enter” key to start the process.

./ffmpeg.exe -i videoh265.mkv -c:v libx264 videoh264.mp4

How to Convert H.265 Video to H.264 Online

# AnyConv

AnyConv is a multiplatform online X265 to X264 converter that is not only fast but also free without the need to set up software on your device. You get the opportunity to retain the original quality and your files remain secure from unauthorized third-party access. Besides, enjoy great levels of efficiency when converting HEVC to AVC thanks to the support for batch processing.

Steps to Convert H265 to H264 Using AnyConv:

Step 1: Open your preferred web browser app, type https://anyconv.com/video-converter/ in the address bar, and hit “Enter” to open the AnyConv online interface.

Step 2: Use the “CHOOSE FILE” button to add the H.265 video that needs conversion.

Step 3: Configure H.264 as the output format and then click on the “CONVERT” button to finalize the task to convert H265 to H264.

AnyConv will upload the source video file, turn the H.265 video into H.264 format, and then you can save the output by clicking on the “DOWNLOAD .H264” button.

# Convertio

Convertio is a fast and easy-to-use HEVC to AVC converter that utilizes top-notch video processing algorithms to deliver an output of excellent quality. You are free to convert X265 to X264 from any platform (including Android and iOS), enjoy total file security, and work with Dropbox and Google Drive cloud services. Besides, Convertio allows you to tweak various parameters like the quality, codec, aspect ratio, bitrate, and more.

Steps to turn H265 Video into H264 Using Convertio:

Step 1: Using your favorite web browser program, navigate to https://convertio.co/video-converter/ to open the Convertio interface.

Step 2: Import the H.265 file you need to convert by clicking on the “Choose Files” options or import from the integrated Google Drive and Dropbox cloud services.

Step 3: Select your preferred output format, use the settings icon to set the codec to H264 (AVC), and finally hit the “Convert” button.

You will notice that the HEVC file will be uploaded, converted, and then a “Download” button will be available to help you save the output AVC file on your device.

Conclusion

The best way to convert H.265 to H.264 is very necessary whenever you wish to open up any H.265 codec video to the vast compatibility range enjoyed by H.264 video files. At a time when not all devices can aptly handle the HEVC codec, converting to the predecessor AVC codec is advisable.

The good thing is that this article has eliminated any sort of dilemmas you may have had regarding the best ways to change H265 to H264 by providing go-to solutions. With that said, choose the method that you are comfortable with and start encoding that native or camera footage with ease.