H.264, H.265/HEVC and AV1 are video codec families. Playback requires support for the actual codec and source characteristics in the chosen player and device; a codec name alone does not establish compatibility.
Hardware and software decoding
Hardware decoding uses supported device acceleration; software decoding uses general processing. A player option can only use features that the device and software actually provide. Compare on the same source rather than assuming a hardware setting is always best.
Recognise a possible decoding problem
A black picture with audio, repeated app crashes or a failure limited to certain titles can justify a decoding comparison. First check whether another source works and whether the app and OS are current.
Change one setting safely
- Record the source and current player setting.
- Try another item before changing the decoder.
- If the player documents another supported decoding option, test it.
- Restore the previous setting if the result is worse.
- Send support the device, player and exact source symptom.