Written by H.265/HEVC Playback with iTunes on Mac
High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265, which can helps to compress a video into a file that is about half the size (or half the bit rate) of H.264/AVC now can be direct played on all iOS 11 devices running iOS 11 and all Macs on High Sierra. However, currently, there aren’t any information about if iTunes is able to play H.265/HEVC format? People who have tried to direct play H.265 in iTunes reflects that I have only audio but no video in iTunes.
Although Apple has announced the arrival of more 4K content to iTunes when it introduced the new Apple TV 4K last week. However, those who purchase the new set-top box will be limited in how they can enjoy 4K titles. According to an Apple support document, 4K content from iTunes can only be streamed, not downloaded directly to a device.
“You can download a local copy of an HD movie, and you might be able to download HDR and Dolby Vision versions, but you can’t download a 4K version,” the support document states.
From above information, we can also conclude that currently local playback of 4K content especially for 4K H.265 content with iTunes is almost impossible. The only solution here for you is to compress and transcode 4K H.265 to iTunes workable HD file formats such as MP4, MOV, M4V, etc.
Related article: Add Music to iTunes | Add ISO to iTunes | Add MKV AVI Xvid FLV to iTunes
Transcode and downscale 4K H.265 for iTunes playback
To perform the transcoding process, you will need a powerful H.265 Decoder software. The program here we highly recommend to you is called Pavtube Video Converter for Mac, it has full importing support for both HD/4K H.265 codec wrapped with MP4, MOV or MKV container file format. Thanks to its batch conversion mode, you can load multiple H.265 video into the application at one time to save your precious time.
The program not only assist you to convert H.265 to iTunes playable MP4, MOV or M4V format, but also facilitates you to compress 4K to 1080p since iTunes currently not importing 4K video adding.
If you wish to sync converted video to iPhone, iPad or Apple TV, you can also use the program to directly produce those iOS devices playback formats and then tweak to export those devices best favorable playback settings in the “Profile Settings” window.
Step by Step to Convert and Compress 4K H.265 for iTunes Playing
Step 1: Load 4K H.265 files.
Download the free trial version of the program. Launch it on your computer. Click “File” menu and select “Add Video/Audio” or click the “Add Video” button on the top tool bar to import source 4K H.265 files into the program.
Step 2: Define the output format.
Clicking the Format bar, from its drop-down list, select one of iTunes playable HD file formats such as “MPEG-4 HD Video(*.mp4)” under “HD Video” main category.
Tips: If you wish to sync converted files to iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad or Apple TV, you can also choose to direct produce specific iOS devices supported file formats and then adjust other playback settings such as video codec, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, audio codec, bit rate, sample rate, channels, etc to get the best playback settings for those iOS devices.
Step 3: Compress 4K to 1080p.
If the H.265 video you try to view on iTunes is with 4K resolution, it would be much ideal for you to downscale 4K to 1080p from the “Size(pix)” drop-down list in the “Profile Settings” window.
Step 4: Begin the final conversion process.
After all setting is completed, hit the “Convert” button at the right bottom of the main interface to begin 4K H.265 to iTunes playable HD MP4/MOV/M4V format conversion and compressing process.
When the conversion is finished, click “Open Output Folder” icon on the main interface to open the folder with generated files. You will have no problem to add and play converted files in iTunes or sync converted files to iPhone/iPad/Apple TV.
