How to Play H264 Files on Mac Easily
Step 1. Download, Install and Launch Elmedia Player.
Download the application from our website and launch it.
Step 2. Drag and Drop your raw .264, .h264, or regular H.264-encoded file
Open the directory containing your .264 or h264 encoded file and drag it and drop it within the Elmedia Player window.
Step 3. Step 3 Enjoy watching!
It's as simple as that! You can now enjoy playing 264 files on your Mac with Elmedia Player.
Best Free H.264 Player – Elmedia – Features
Stream to your favorite devices
Audio and Video Customization
Playlist Management
Mute and unmute
What Does .H264 File Extension/Format Stand For
The H.264 file extension is used for H.264 encoded video files. This video compression format is one of the most popular today, especially for high-definition videos. This file type has the ability to record video and manage video compression and distribution. The first launch of this format took place in the middle of 2003, and over the years, it improved its functionalities and came to the popularity it has today.
The H.264 format was created to develop a method of providing high video quality while maintaining the low bit rates that have been used in the past. The developers wanted to avoid a complex design, keep the cost level reasonable, and give the format enough flexibility to be widely used. The H.264 file is often misnamed, and it may appear as an MP4 file or numerous other variations.
However, you can be sure that you play .264 files by understanding that the H.264 is a video compression codec and needs a container to store the video file in question. In this instance, the container is the video file.
List of Alternative H264 Players for Mac
1. VLC Media Player
VLC has been a staple of media players for the past decade. However, it began to fall short of competitors such as Elmedia Player quickly. The player for h264 files still supports the majority of popular formats and enables users to customize their experience in detail. However, the outdated design and interface make it harder for new users to use the application and frustrates the experienced ones. All in all, VLC, even with its flaws, is still a decent choice for those looking to play H264 files on their Macs.
Pros
- Fully supports H264 codec and much more
- Open-source
- Free
Cons
- Outdated design
2. 5KPlayer
5KPlayer is a media player for Mac that allows you to open 264 files and comes with support for resolutions up to 8K and 360° videos. It can stream to DLNA-compatible devices as well as through AirPlay 2 for a great screen mirroring experience. When it comes to video formats and codecs, it does support H.265/264, AV1, VP8/VP9, MTS, MKV, and audiophiles can treat themselves with Dolbys, RStereo, DTS multi-channel sound and MP3, AAC, OGG, AC3, WMA, FLAC & ALAC lossless formats. Even more, 5KPlayer can download videos from various websites such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more.
Pros
- Ability to download videos
- Supports up to 8K videos and 360 degree
- Dolby, RStereo, and DTS support
Cons
- Lack of updates
3. DivX Player
Divx Player is a free h264 file player for Mac that supports formats such as H264/H265, DivX, MKV, and HEVC with resolutions up to 4K. It comes with the ability to play AC3 surround and DTS-HD. Unfortunately, this feature is tied under the PRO version of DivX Player, which also brings the ability to stream videos directly from cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. The player also lets users stream to DLNA-compatible devices and through Chromecast.
Pros
- Support for H264 and H265
- Ability to play AC3 surround and DTS-HD
- Stream directly from the cloud
Cons
- Many important features are locked under the PRO version
Compare Players That Can Play H264 Videos on macOS
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Top features
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Elmedia Player
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VLC Media Player
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5KPayer
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DivX Player
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Support for several formats
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Support for several formats
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3gp, avi, mp4, mpeg, vob, flv, mov, mkv, 3iv, asf, fli, m1v, m2t, m2ts, m2v, m4v, mp2, mpg, mpg2, mpg4, mpv, mqv, nut, nuv, nsv, qt, ram, rec, rm, rmvb, ts, vcd, vfw, wmv, webm, rv, f4v, ogv, ogm, divx, asx, dat, tp, mjp, yuv, xvid, vc1, mtv mp3, m4a, wma, aac, ac3, aiff, ape, flac, mka, ogg, pcm, ra, vaw, waw, wav, aif, oga, caf, acm, dts, mpa, webm
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MPEG Layer 1/2, MP3 - MPEG Layer 3, AAC - MPEG-4 part3, Vorbis, AC3 - A/52, E-AC-3, MLP / TrueHD>3, DTS, WMA 1/2, WMA 3, FLAC, ALAC, Speex, Musepack / MPC, ATRAC 3, Wavpack, Mod, TrueAudio, APE, Real Audio, Alaw/µlaw, AMR (3GPP), MIDI, LPCM, ADPCM, QCELP, DV Audio, QDM2/QDMC, MACE.
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AV1, H.265/H.264, VP8/9, WebM, MP4, MKV, FLV, M3U8/IPTV stream, MP3, APE, FLAC, AAC
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.divx, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mp4, .mov, .mt2ts,.mts, .mpg, .ts, .vob, .asf, .qt, .wmv, HEVC, H264, MPEG4, MPEG2, WMv, MJPEG, Real Video
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Audio and Video Customization
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Audio and Video Customization
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Full (Audio + Video)
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Full (Audio + Video)
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Full (Audio + Video)
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No
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Download Subtitles Automatically
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Download Subtitles Automatically
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Yes
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No
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No
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No
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Volume Control
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Volume Control
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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FAQ
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