Installing in Mac OS X. Download VLC installation file from the location mentioned above (VideoLAN website). Locate the downloaded file which will be named something like vlc-2.1.0.dmg. After verifying the contents of the file, it will open. Click and drag the VLC icon to the applications folder. VideoLAN, VLC, VLC media player and x264 are trademarks internationally registered by the VideoLAN non-profit organization. VideoLAN software is licensed under various open-source licenses: use and distribution are defined by each software license. Design by Made By Argon. Some icons are licensed under the CC BY-SA 3.0+.
Your media, your way
VLC is a sturdy, capable player that can run nearly any file, CD, disk, or DVD without issues. It can even play broken and fragmented files.
Media on demand
Watch videos, listen to music, and stream your webcam with ease in this powerful multimedia program that’s just a download away.
VLC is one of the most popular players out there, and for good reason. It can run almost any media file available. There are a variety of video and sound file types in the world. Having one program to run all of them makes your life easier, and putting in your favorite album is a breeze. It’s easy to download and set it up. Once you get it going, you’re ready to run any media type you encounter.
VLC can also run DVDs and CDs, which is great. The only catch with a DVD is that you won’t be able to record any video footage from within the media player. But VLC still boasts high system compatibility as it will run on almost any computer, no matter how dated it is.
There are a couple of issues with VLC, one of which is the interface; it’s not particular attractive. In fact, it looks like something from the early 2000s. However, this doesn’t mean it’s complicated or painful to use. Aside from the visuals, you’ll notice that the software can become buggy or even crash at random times. This is usually caused by RAM-related issues, though a problem like this does imply a memory leak in the software.
With the many powerful and free programs out there, you need to be careful that you aren’t installing adware or spyware as an extra feature. Fortunately, VLC doesn’t come with any of those; it’s entirely ad-free and contains no malicious software.
Where can you run this program?
It’s available for the latest versions of Windows, Mac OS, Android, IOS and Linux.
Is there a better alternative?
Vlc Mac Os X
No, VLC is a compelling media player. But if you find the user interface unpleasant, you can look at alternatives such as Eltima. Both software compete to be the best media players.
Our take
VLC is packed full of features and capability, but its instability presents some issues. In the face the expansion of QuickTime’s capabilities, users of newer versions of Mac OSX might find VLC to be a bit redundant. If you’re on an older version, however, VLC could be for you.
Should you download it?
Yes, if you’re looking for a new way to experience multimedia content, DVDs or CDs. It can read almost any video or sound file you’ll want to play.
Highs
- Plays almost all media formats
- Browser plugins
- High system compatibility
- Ad and spyware-free
Lows
- Sporadically bugs out
- Doesn’t record
- Dated interface
VLC media playerfor Mac
3.0.16
Check our troubleshooting tips for solving all kinds of VLC H265 video playback problems, such as VLC won't play H.265 videos, H.265 file stuttering/freezing on VLC, etc.
We connect VLC media player with HEVC codec the moment VLC officially claims it supports HEVC/H265 encoder X265 natively. That seems to tell you VLC can play your HEVC/H265 4K 8K files on Windows and macOS. Yet, please note that it doesn't cover all the HEVC/H265 files. What's plus, the support of HEVC encoder X265 is the basic requirement, theoritically speaking. It's far from enough if you wanna play any HEVC video on your Windows or macOS with whatever operating system. So it's not a wonder to come across a 4K 2160p or 8K 4320p video MKV HEVC not playing on Mac using VLC.
Despite all this, everything has its vanquisher. There is always solutions to fix the VLC won't play 4K 8K HEVC video problem. Carve out 1 minute to read on the post and you might find the solution to your specific problem. We'd feel very glad if they can help you to solve all these VLC H265 video playback troubles.
Common Symptoms
1. When you play some HEVC 4K video with VLC media player, it can successfully open the HEVC file but end with black screen, no video, only audio.
2. The most popular HEVC player VLC sends you an error message window: 'It seems your Libav/FFmpeg (libavcodec) installation lacks the following encoder: MPEG-H Part 2/HEVC (H265). If you don't know how to fix this, ask for support from your distribution.'. It says clearly that this is not an error inside VLC player.
3. Your VLC player just stutters or freezes when you play HEVC 4K videos on Windows 8 or Windows 10 in .mkv format. Jump to another time in the movie, it still stutters though the video image displays.
4. HEVC 4K video playback is very choppy, skipping frames, grey screen and audio video out of sync in VLC.
Solutions
Based on the above symptoms of VLC HEVC 4K playback problem, here below lists out several simple yet effective solutions for your reference. One thing you need to know is that there isn't a perfect solution able to solve all the VLC HEVC playback issues. So you're suggested to make concrete analyses of concrete problems. Make choice from various solutions. No need to try one by one. Cuz your time is your life.
Vlc Mac Multiple Windows
1. Check Your HEVC Video Format
Firstly, right click your HEVC video file to check what video format your HEVC video is: .mp4, .avi or .mkv. If your HEVC 4K video file is formatted by .mkv, please download MKV codec your VLC needs before HEVC 4K playback. Because sometimes, your VLC player won't play MKV files due to the lack of MKV codecs.
2. Check Your Computer Hardware Configuration
Vlc Macro
Your computer might do a great job when it's used to play H264 video with VLC. Yet, there is a big gap between H264 and H265 (HEVC). HEVC/H265 has a much higher demanding than H264 on your computer hardware configuration. If your CPU and GPU are not powerful enough, they can't support hardware h.265 decoding. That's why your HEVC/H265 4K 8K video is choppy and video-audio out of sync in VLC player.
To play HEVC 4K video on macOS or Windows PC, make sure your computer is armed with Skylake or later processor. If not, upgrade to high-end MacBook Pro/iMac or Windows PC. The higher of hardware configuration, the better HEVC 4K 8K UHD video playback will be.
3. Check HEVC Video Parameters
Another potential reason to cause VLC not playing HEVC video is the HEVC/H265 video parameter settings. Given that your HEVC video resolution is customized by yourself and the HEVC video aspect ratio doesn't keep the default 3:2, 4:3 or 16:9, then you might encounter VLC player problem with HEVC video playback.
Personally, I import HEVC 1080p video to play in VLC player, it can smoothly play this H265 1080p video with 16:9 aspect ratio. Yet, the case has changed since I customize this HEVC 1080p video resolution and aspect ratio to 17:7. There is no HEVC video, only audio left in VLC media player.
If this is what you experience, please adjust H265/HEVC video resolution and aspect ratio back to its original settings. Trust me, VLC hasn't reached to the level that can handle all types of HEVC/H265 files.
4. Convert H265/HEVC Video
As we've mentioned before, HEVC/H265 video can be formatted with .mp4, .mkv and .avi. Theoritically speaking VLC is compatible with HEVC MP4, HEVC MKV or HEVC AVI. Yet, take HEVC MKV for instance, VLC fails to play MKV HEVC video as long as it loses one or several MKV codecs. In such case, resorting to a solid HEVC video converter to convert HEVC/H265 video is the best option for you.
To convert HEVC/H265 video, MacX Video Converter Pro makes an impressive showing, with 320+ video and 50+ audio codecs supporting strength to let you losslessly convert any HEVC/H265 video to your VLC or Windows/Mac supported formats:
- Convert 1080p HEVC to 4K HEVC video, 720p HEVC to 4K HEVC video or vice versa.
- Losslessly convert HEVC MKV video to HEVC MP4 container video for smooth playback on VLC without MKV codec issues.
- Convert H265 to H264, MPEG-4, VP9, MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WMV or iPhone, iPads, Android for better compatibility with almost all of your devices.
Step 1: import HEVC files. Load your HEVC files via 'Video' button after you free download this HEVC video converter on macOS (or Windows version).
Vlc Mac Shortcuts
Step 2: choose HEVC output format. Here two output formats for your HEVC codec videos: MP4 and MKV. You can click 'Mac General Video' to choose 'MP4 (HEVC)' or go to 'PC General Video' profile to choose 'HEVC Video (MKV)' as output formats. Keep in mind that both HEVC MP4 and HEVC MKV can support up to 4K 2160p via resolution adjustment in 'Settings' interface. You can access to the parameter window via the icon .
Vlc Mac Player
Note: pay attention to 'Auto Copy' mode, which is well-designed for you to 1:1 copy video/audio streams and subtitles from one container format to another new container format without video codec decoding and encoding process. Thus, when you need to convert MKV to MP4 with the same input and output H264 codec, this top video converter will automatically use 'Auto Copy' mode to 10X faster copy MKV to MP4 without video codec conversion.
Step 3: convert HEVC video now. when every preparatory work is done, tap 'RUN' and this video conversion engine will go into action to begin HEVC video conversion. No need to worry about the HEVC 4K conversion speed, for it supports Intel QSV hardware acceleration, multi-core CPU and hyper-threading tech.