Overview: Why HEVC support is disappearing on some laptops
Recent reporting indicates that HP and Dell have disabled High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) support on a subset of their laptops. HEVC, also known as H.265, is a video compression standard designed to reduce file sizes while preserving image quality. The move affects users who rely on built-in hardware decoders for smooth playback, fast video editing, and efficient streaming.
While HEVC has been widely used for 4K content and modern video streaming, some laptop models from major manufacturers have shifted away from including HEVC decoding in hardware or software stacks. The change is typically tied to licensing considerations, driver stability, and the balance between cost and feature sets. In practice, it means you might encounter reduced performance or the need to install alternative codecs for certain media tasks.
What this means for everyday users
For most casual viewers, the impact may be limited depending on how videos are delivered and played. If a laptop’s default player relies on hardware acceleration, you could see increased CPU usage and higher battery drain when watching HEVC-encoded content. In contrast, if software-based decoding is still available, playback remains feasible but can feel slower on lower-power devices.
Video streaming services often use adaptive formats and may fall back to a non-HEVC codec automatically. However, local video libraries, downloaded content, or professional video editing workflows can be more sensitive to codec availability. If your workflow depends on HEVC decoding or encoding, you’ll want to verify your specific model’s capabilities before planning an upgrade or relying on it for critical tasks.
Why manufacturers might cut HEVC support
Several factors influence the decision to drop HEVC support on certain laptops:
- Licensing costs: HEVC/HEVC Video Tool licensing can be complex and may add to overall product costs. Some manufacturers weigh these costs against customer impact.
- Driver and firmware complexity: Maintaining codecs across a wide range of hardware configurations requires ongoing testing. Simplifying the software stack can reduce potential issues.
- Alternative codecs: More devices now support AV1 or other codecs, offering royalty-free options that can be appealing for newer models.
- Market segmentation: Vendors may reserve HEVC support for higher-end tiers or models with specific media features to differentiate SKUs.
These moves are not universal across all HP or Dell products; some models retain full HEVC support, especially those aimed at media creators or multimedia enthusiasts.
How to check if your laptop supports HEVC
To determine HEVC support on your Windows or other laptop, try these steps:
- Open a media player with hardware acceleration status (for example, in a video player’s settings, look for hardware decoding options).
- Use a system diagnostic tool or the device manager to check for codecs and GPU driver capabilities.
- Test playback of an HEVC-encoded file and observe CPU usage and playback smoothness. High CPU utilization with stuttering indicates limited hardware decoding.
If you discover that your laptop lacks HEVC hardware acceleration, you have a few options:
- Install a software decoder or a media player that optimizes software-based HEVC decoding.
- Convert or transcode your HEVC files to a more universally supported format for offline viewing.
- Consider a firmware or driver update from the manufacturer that might restore or clarify codec support.
What to do next: guidance for buyers and current users
If you’re shopping for a new laptop, review the codec and media feature set in the product specifications. Ask about HEVC support, hardware decoding, and driver updates as part of your evaluation. For current owners, keep an eye on manufacturer notices, driver releases, and community forums for any changes that could affect video performance.
In an era where streaming, video conferencing, and media creation are common, codec support remains a practical consideration. While the absence of HEVC on some HP and Dell models may be a hiccup for certain users, alternatives and workarounds help maintain a smooth multimedia experience on most modern laptops.
