Convert HEVC to MOV
About HEVC
This refers to a raw video stream encoded with the HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) codec, also known as H.265. HEVC is the successor to H.264 and offers about 50% better compression efficiency, meaning it can deliver the same quality at half the file size. This makes it ideal for 4K and 8K streaming. A raw .hevc file must be placed in a container like MP4 or MKV to be useful.
About MOV
MOV is a high-quality multimedia container format developed by Apple for its QuickTime framework. It's a standard in the professional video editing world, especially on macOS. MOV files can contain multiple tracks of video, audio, effects, and text, and they are known for preserving high quality, often using codecs like Apple's own ProRes. This quality comes at the cost of very large file sizes.
HEVC vs MOV
| Feature | HEVC | MOV |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Support | false | false |
| Subtitle Support | false | true |
| DRM Support | false | false |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 5 |
| Patent Status | heavily patented | proprietary |
| Year Introduced | 2013 | 1991 |
| Developed By | ITU-T/ISO/IEC | Apple |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HEVC/H.265 the future of video?
It is the current standard for high-resolution video delivery (like 4K Blu-ray and streaming). However, its adoption has been hampered by complex and expensive patent licensing. Newer royalty-free codecs like AV1 are competing to become the next universal standard.
Why do I get an error playing an HEVC file?
Playing HEVC video requires either hardware or software support for the codec. Older devices may not have the necessary hardware decoders. You may need to update your media player, install a codec pack, or use a modern player like VLC that has built-in support for HEVC.
Can I play MOV files on Windows?
Yes, you can play MOV files on Windows, but you may need to install a compatible media player like VLC or QuickTime for Windows. Native support in Windows Media Player can be limited depending on the specific codecs used inside the MOV file.
Why are MOV files so large?
MOV files are often large because they are typically used in professional workflows with high-bitrate or minimally compressed video codecs (like Apple ProRes) to maintain the highest possible quality for editing. For distribution, these MOV files are usually compressed into a more efficient format like MP4.
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