What happened: HP and Dell remove HEVC support on certain laptops
Two major PC manufacturers, HP and Dell, have flagged a shift in their laptop lineups: several models now ship without built-in support for High‑Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265. This change was reported by Ars Technica and has implications for users who rely on HEVC for video playback, editing, or streaming. HEVC is widely used to compress high‑quality video into smaller files, enabling smoother playback and storage efficiency on devices with limited hardware resources.
Why manufacturers are trimming HEVC licensing concerns
HEVC requires licensing, and the costs can complicate hardware design and pricing. Some vendors have chosen to remove built‑in HEVC decoding or encoding to simplify their product slate or reduce per‑unit licensing fees. While this can lower the upfront price of devices or free up resources for other features, it also means users may need to rely on software codecs or alternative standards to handle HEVC content.
What impact to expect for users
Impact varies by user scenario:
- Video playback: Without native HEVC support, you might experience playback issues or require software decoding, which can tax the CPU and drain battery on some laptops. Third‑party media players that include HEVC software decoding can help, though performance is hardware‑dependent.
- Video editing: Editing HEVC footage (like 4K or higher) can be less smooth if the system relies solely on software decoding/encoding. Users may notice longer render times or higher CPU usage.
- Streaming and sharing: If your workflow involves creating HEVC‑encoded files for distribution, you may need to install alternative codecs or use different encoding settings to ensure compatibility with target platforms.
Alternatives and workarounds
Several practical steps can mitigate the loss of native HEVC support:
- Software codecs: Install HEVC software decoders or extensions for your operating system and media players. For example, Windows users can check whether the HEVC Video Extensions are available in the Microsoft Store; some variants may require purchase or a license.
- Third‑party players: Players like VLC, MPC‑BE, or PotPlayer often ship with built‑in HEVC support via software decoding and can handle HEVC files without additional codecs.
- Hardware alternatives: If your workload includes heavy HEVC encoding, consider a system with hardware‑accelerated codecs from other vendors or a dedicated GPU that supports HEVC decoding/encoding.
- Export options: When creating content, encode in alternative codecs (e.g., AV1 or VP9) that are broadly supported across modern devices and may avoid licensing concerns, while maintaining reasonable quality and file sizes.
What to check when buying next time
If HEVC support is important to you, verify the specifications of any HP or Dell laptop before purchase. Look for explicit mentions of HEVC (H.265) hardware decoding/encoding, media center features, or GPU capabilities that indicate software or hardware support. In some cases, you may be able to add HEVC functionality post‑purchase through software or licensing options, but this varies by model and region.
Bottom line
The move by HP and Dell to drop HEVC support on certain laptops reflects ongoing licensing and strategic product decisions in the PC market. For many users, the change is manageable with software codecs or alternative codecs. For others who rely heavily on HEVC for high‑quality video workflows, checking model specs and preparing a contingency plan will help minimize disruption as the landscape for video codecs continues to evolve.
