Windows 10: Sudden HEVC / H265 failure with Windows 10

My 2016 production Windows 10 Pro Version 20H2 computer suddenly stopped playing HEVC videos properly. I need this feature in my computer because of my work and entertainment purposes other that it should just work.

It presented this behavior about two weeks ago. Before that, it was working fine. I did not install anything that I know of which would interfere with this.


What happens:

• MPV player just freezes the video after some time playing, audio continues playing fine. Player is unresponsive and needs to be terminated.
• VLC Player freezes the video after some time playing, audio continues playing fine. VLC player doesn't become unresponsive.

What I tried:

• Updating integrated graphics card driver Intel® HD Graphics 530, driver version 27.20.100.9316.
• Updating dedicated graphics card driver NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, driver version 461.92.
• Installed K-Lite Codec Pack.
• Trying different players mentioned above.
• Tried with browsers, couldn't play due to limited browser codec support this is normal.
• Disabling hardware decoding VLC seems to bypass the problem, but an Nvidia 1060 should be able to hardware decode a h265 video as it was before.

I use HEVC videos regularly, I am certain this problem didn't exist before, and I am out of options, hoping this community could give me a direction.

Thanks for your time.

:)

 

Computer HEVC Compatibility

Hi Lukey,

HEVC (H265) compatibility has nothing to do with the specifications of your hardware - though you do have a nice system

HEVC (H265) compatibility is simply a codec that you can install to enable you to play that type of video. If your Windows 10 is up to date, then you will be able to play HEVC video with no problems . ..

 

How can I get HEVC to play on Windows 10

Hi GoPro, Windows does not support H265 (HEVC) yet, there are a few free video players available on the Web

Simply Google the free 5KPlayer or 'Free video player for HEVC' or 'Free video player for H265'

 

PLEX - stop transcoding for 6CH HEVC H265 video 1080p

Hi there

Using Plex for 1080p with 6Ch and codec HEVC H265 transcoding always seems to take place and video pauses frequently even on megafast Network connection.

If I drop the audio to 2CH then it works fine seems PLEX has problem with the AUDIO rather than the video codec --strange though.

It all works at 720p whatever audio but I do prefer the full 1080p on decent TV's.

Is there any way to either "Pre-transcode in advance" or fix the audio problem -- 2Ch is OK but full 6 Ch is great for some movies.
Using HEVC H265 saves HUGE amounts of disk space at 1080p and will be even better for 4K UHD TV too.

Cheers
jimbo