How to install H.265 / HEVC codec on Ubuntu Linux v17 +

Question

I would like to be able to play HEVC files in Ubuntu v18 but I know since version 17 the following plugin is not installable:

hutber@hutber ~ $ sudo apt-get install vlc-plugin-libde265
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package vlc-plugin-libde265

Is it possible to get these files working in 18 without having to use the chrome app to play them?

Solution

gstreamer1.0-libav supports video/x-h265 (HEVC) in Ubuntu 17.10 and later in Totem media player.

H.265 is the successor to H.264 which gstreamer1.0-libav also supports in Ubuntu 17.10 and later. To install it open the terminal and type:

sudo apt install gstreamer1.0-libav  

Comments

[Jamie Hutber]

Thanks Karel... One question, which player would I use to use this codec?

[Jamie Hutber]

Forgive me Karel, but I do already have VLC installed. But can't find anywhere to set the player to use gstreamer.

[Jamie Hutber]

I have updated the question with images of my settings

[doug]

gstreamer1.0-libav only is used by gtreamer apps like totem. Vlc & mpv support hevc thru ffmpeg libraries and will play out of the box.

[Admin]

@doug - You should consider posting your comment as an answer saying that with most and best players (vlc, mpv, smplayer, gnome-mpv) that package is not needed. First of all, the basic question is whether that codec is needed or not; and second the OP seem to prefer VLC.

[Admin]

uninstalling the package, mpv, smplayer, vlc and kaffeine can still play HEVC samples from x265.com/hevc-video-files

[Jamie Hutber]

VLC certainly doesn't support it out of the box :p I'm on version 4 and still the video does not play. The video comes up, but it will only display 1 frame and then not move. I know that it is not my hardware as it works perfectly when in Potplayer on windows

[Jamie Hutber]

Humm ok, the trial videos work given on that page... But I am using gopro hero6 and the files are certainly HEVC and 1080 240fps

[Jamie Hutber]

Oh, it seems if I pass the following to VLC it works a lot better: --avcodec-threads=12 --avcodec-hw=none --rate=0.90