H264 File Extension

What is the .H264 file type?

Confusingly enough, the .h264 filename extension is used to denote both elementary H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video streams, and proprietary DVR (Digital Video Recorder) container formats.

H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (also known as Advanced Video Coding, or MPEG-4 Part 10) is a patented video codec that incorporates highly efficient compression algorithms and provides exceptional video quality. H.264/MPEG-4 AVC has become a de facto standard for both streamed and local HD (High-Definition) video.

A single video track encoded with the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec is called an MPEG-4 Part 10 elementary (raw) stream. Normally, such elementary video streams come inside containers, special wrapper formats to hold multiple audio/video tracks encoded with different codecs. Most commonly, MP4, MKV, M4V, AVI and other container formats are used.

In this context, an .h264 file is an MPEG-4 Part 10 elementary stream, i.e. a single video track with no container. Such raw streams are playable with any media player that supports H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.

Alternatively, the .h264 extension is also used to label DVR recording archive files. Although most DVR's compress their video with the same H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec, many devices rely on their own private container file formats, only playable with proprietary player utilities.

In that case, an .h264 file is a DVR container file that can have multiple H.264-encoded video tracks. Some DVR files (.h264) may be directly playable with regular media players, although most will require proprietary software.

Software to open or convert H264 files

CyberLink PowerDVD by CyberLink Corp.

 

CyberLink Power Media Player by CyberLink Corp.

 

5KPlayer by DearMob, Inc.

 

MediaPlayerLite by MediaPlayerLite

 

Leawo Blu-ray Player Version by Leawo Software

 

Free File Viewer Pro

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