age_of_cage | 37 points
Some of us fucks are stuck with devices incapable of playing this codec. Just a bit weird how usually there were one or two links that utilized it and now it pretty much dominates the front page.
[-] Jake548675 | 30 points
x265 is great, the only downside is that no older devices can play it. Right now I only have a PC & notebook with HEVC hardware decoder; my tablet/smartphone/smart TV etc. can't. But it's always like this when a better codec is introduced, it was the same for x264 at first. I think there is a chance x265 is going to be standard for a long time, because it allows for small file sizes and is good enough for 4K content. If I really need to play a video on a device that can't play x265 (e.g. my tablet when I travel), I use handbrake to re-encode it. I suggest you do the same.
I've noticed some devices when streaming from my Plex server have a hard time.decoding x265. Might also depend on how it's been encoded too. Also it absolutely beats the shit out of my Plex server CPU when transcoding to devices.
[-] EvolutionVII | 4 points
[-] xanderbitme | 1 points
I can't reach my Plex server when I'm at work, and my laptop at work can't play x265, so I use Plex to transcode the videos ("optimize for mobile") and take them to work on a flash drive.
[-] EvolutionVII | 5 points
just get a sub 30 USD android box and you'll be fine.
[-] Jake548675 | 2 points
I didn't know there were 265x hardware decoders that cheap. Do you have any suggestions? I'd love to have one to plug into my TV.
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 3 points
Spend slightly more and get the ODroid C2 ($46), and you can use openELEC (free os: http://openelec.tv/) and external HDD to store stuff
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products/prdt_info.php?g_code=G145457216438
Is there something like the C2 but with USB 3.0 or SATA inputs? or does everyone just use the USB 2.0 w/ external hard drives? I don't have a NAS at the moment...
[-] [deleted] | 2 points
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 1 points
Not sure, I think most low price system-on-a-chip manufacturers will be going with 2.0 since these devices don't need to transfer large amounts of data, if you can afford between $200-$300 I would build a HTPC and throw in a big NAS HDD so you can use the same box as a player and server, otherwise I think the C2 and an external drive is your best choice
Is this like a raspberry pi with android on it? Can Kodi be installed on it? When looking at the specs, am I right that this Odroid can compete with the MINIX U9-h?
OMG please reply, I'm about to save 100 bucks :D
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 1 points
Yes to all those questions, it's like a beefier raspberry pi and the openELEC os is a stripped down Linux distro with just enough left in to run KODI. After you install openElec whenever you turn on the device it will boot straight to KODI in a matter of seconds, no extra installs or config needed.
I run openELEC on my HTPC (which if you were going to spend $200 I would go that route for stability's sake) and I love it
Hell Yeah. Obviously I didn't know about this about 5 minutes ago. Would you mind supplying me with some websites on how to - install openelec on the odroid c2 and ~~- how to install kodi in openelec~~ (seems like kodi is preinstalled in openelec :D
how can the odroid be controlled? remote, keyboard or mouse? could I use a logitech keyboard with unifying adapter?
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 1 points
I haven't used it myself but I would think all those, plus there are a number of smart-device apps that act as KODI remotes and communicate over your local network (if you use android devices get Yatse).
KODI has instructions on their site of how to install openELEC on their site, note that LibreELEC is simply the name the rest of the world uses for openELEC (it's the same software). It's pretty easy and quick, you're just going to write the installer to a flash drive and then install off that drive.
http://kodi.wiki/view/ODROID
[-] Jake548675 | 1 points
Thank you for the suggestion, tiiiiimmmm. I had been looking for a good kodi device a few months ago and saw Odroid mentioned as one of the best options. I think I'll get a C2
Hey just wondering... would a core 2 duo pc like a mac mini (from 2010) be able to play x265 1080p content? I could get one for real cheap... 4k wouldn't be possible I guess, am I right?
I'll probably still go with the Odroid, but wanted to know anyway.
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 2 points
[-] kgwjeglkwjlgkjw | 5 points
It seems like people get too aggressive with their small file size encodes though. x265 compression is good, but not bringing a 1080p movie down to 2 gbs and meeting the same quality of a x264 version at 10 gbs. I want to like these 265 encodes, but they usually seem to have more artifacting and blocky backgrounds. I really want to embrace x265, but many of the encodes I've encountered seem sub par.
[-] bluepandaice | 3 points
My nieces shitty tablet can run x265 with mx player. How old is your tablet?
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 2 points
See, that's the real question, how old is it? If it's new hardware made in the last year or two it probably has native hardware decoding blocks for x265, if it's old hardware it needs a strong CPU to compensate.
[-] Axelstrife | 16 points
idk about others but i upload mostly only stuff i personally download to keep on my HDD"s tigole and UTR do awesome x265 movies and tv shows.
Interestingly I don't think I own a device that can't play x265.
[-] coheedcollapse | 5 points
Yeah, I've got a media computer made with nearly decade-old parts and it can handle x265 - even transcoding it for Plex. Although I guess I'm not playing on anything obscure like an old PSP or something, so I haven't run into anything that can't handle it.
X265 creates files small enough to fall under the 5gb bandwidth limit, so there is that. X265 is better at lower bitrate at 1080 and 4k while x264 is better at higher bitrates at 720 and 1080. X265 is great also for clean animation (anime, american comedy) as well. Some people have complained about some blurring in x265 encodes. Plus there is the lack of support on many smart TVs and set top boxes. I could be wrong on some finer details I'm sure.
Tl dr: x265 hasn't surpassed x264 yet by any stretch, but it has its place atm.
H.265 works well on my 2015 Sony smart TV.
But you just want to get a cheap Android media player. They have supported H.264 for a couple years now
Plex is the way to go with x265 on tv, I use a Chromecast and the Plex app. (iOS and/or android) If you want to see x265 on your smart device, the vlc app is great. You can either play the files directly from your device, or stream via plex servers through vlc. (local network option in vlc settings) The nice thing about the latter is that it bypasses the plex one-time activation fee to watch streamed content on a device.
TL;DR: plex/vlc combo for easy x265 access.
You talking about using plex dlna with VLC? I use BubbleuPnP to serve as my dlna/uPnP bridge and VLC as my player on my phone to avoid the issues with audio sync with the plex web player. Also avoids any need for transcoding with any files as vlc can handle almost any codec. For my smart TV (Samsung smart hub plex app), I prefer x264 so that I can direct play 99% of the time.
I assume your doing something similar since vlc doesn't have native uPnP support on at least Android (and I assume iOS)?
EDIT: just reread your post... your not using vlc on your TV are you? With vlc, I assume you meant mobile.
Yes! Plex dlna with VLC, specifically running off an old Dell laptop that still has Windows 7. Sorry I wasn't clearer. I also only use VLC with mobile; I use Plex through Chromecast, PS3 and PS4, as my TVs aren't very smart.
I downloaded an x265 file earlier, directly to my Android device and had no trouble playing it with VLC. Is that what you meant by uPnP not having native support? Because if so, I had no issues.
I'll check out BubbleuPnP and see if it's a better fit for me, but so far I'm happy with what Plex and VLC provide. Hopefully anyone reading this who doesn't think their hardware can run x265 files now has some knowledge of software options they can try.
BubbleuPnP will allow you to access a DLNA server on your LAN (assuming your running one, such as plex). It can then serve the video to an external player such as vlc. Never use bubbleuPnP's built in player. It sucks, simply using androids native codec set. Vlc for android does not have native support for accessing a DLNA server (which is what I am talking about uPnP for).
Hey!! I just realized I am totally wrong and VLC for android (at least the beta release) does have native support for uPnP. I was confused and was connected to my 5ghz WiFi instead of my 2.4ghz. Derp!!
[-] alphaprime | 1 points
or stream via plex servers through vlc
Is there any advantage of streaming from a plex server vs just having VLC play the file over the network via windows folder share?
the plex one-time activation fee to watch streamed content on a device.
The what ? Have been using plex for a long time, but I never heard of this.
If you use the plex app directly on a mobile device (in my case the plex dlna server from my laptop to my iPad), there's a fee of $5USD to watch on the device's screen. (Although you can use the plex app as a remote control for Chromecast and other smart devices connected to tvs for free) If that's changed for the cheaper, great, but before I was more aware of other options like vlc, I paid the five bucks on Apple. I learned about vlc, and avoided making the same mistake again with my Samsung phone.
[-] imadethistojackoff | 6 points
I welcome it. It used to be harder to get x265 content on here and now its not :). As somone who's trying to get his library over to x265 its great. I got several things that all the torrents I found were dead.
Things that play HEVC : VLC, Kodi, Roku, XBOX, Apple TV
Those are just the ones i know of personally.
[-] EddieEbola | 1 points
Apple TV does? I have issues playing 1080p H265 files on my Apple TV. Might be the app I'm using.
I don't think Apple officially support it yet, but I'm sure it'll arrive soon enough so I still download some H265 just to have, but given the choice I got for H264.
My ATV4 supports direct play in Plex. Direct play with Beamer, And also you can use the VLC app available in the app store. I am on tvOS 11 beta. But it worked in tvOS 10 too
[-] EddieEbola | 1 points
Interesting. Yeah, Beamer is fine but our household uses Infuse and that's pretty ropey.
I've never used Infuse. it costs money, VLC and Plex are free and do it better.
[-] EddieEbola | 1 points
I've been through SO many players. Plex I loved but Infuse works better with my current setup (NAS as a server). VLC I liked but not user friendly enough for the kids.
Basically, If I change our media set up again I think my wife will leave me. So it's 264 for us for the foreseeable.
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 1 points
Apple will only support H.265/x265 in their newest iterations and forward, if you have an older Apple TV i doubt it will ever get support because it would need the hardware decoder block, not a software upgrade.
Fire TV (2nd gen) : HEVC : Hardware accelerated up to 3840x2160p (4K) @ 30fps, 25 Mbps, Main 10 Profile Level 5.0, Color space 8-bit and 10-bit input but just 8-bit output
Fire TV Stick (2nd gen) : HEVC : Hardware accelerated up to 1080p @ 30fps, 25 Mbps, Main Profile Level 4.0, Color space 8-bit support
Source : https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/devices/fire-tv/docs/device-and-platform-specifications
Side note, could somebody fix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Fire_TV ? It incorrectly states the Fire TV stick (2nd gen) only does H264 in hardware.
Other than my like Windows 98 machine, I've never had trouble playing X265 or at least sending it through Plex. But then again, I don't watch anything on phone/tablet. But Xbox 360 and PS3 handle it.
[-] Jake548675 | 2 points
That's nonsense. Neither 360 nor PS3 can decode x265, especially not 1080p.
Just watched the entire Game of Thrones Season 7 that way the past few weeks. Plex may still be transcoding some - I have quality at "Maximum" and it reads 1080p/5.1 - but that doesn't mean it's original quality. Just doesn't give me much info on that.
But the 360 had no problem playing it that way. Doesn't entirely matter if it's actually reading a H265 encoding or not - my source file is H265 and that's all I was getting at.
[-] Jake548675 | 2 points
You are using your PC's processing power to transcode it. Like I said, neither PS3 nor 360 can play x265. Any device can play anything if you transcode it.
[-] Frodo_Bomb | 3 points
Well h265 is the successor to h264, and it is intended to become the standard. HEVC does happen to be more efficient than AVC, hence its name "High-Efficiency Video Codec," and reportedly h265 can almost double the level of compression compared to h264 while retaining the same level of video quality, so it would be ideal if it did become the standard. HOWEVER, it seem's that many encoders are taking these slight gains in compression as an excuse to crush down their content with no regard for quality retention, all for the sake of small file sizes.
Yify was doing this with h264, and h265 encoders such as Tigole are no better. If anyone is truly trying to save space while still having a degree of quality in their content, the first thing they should look for are 720p versions. Resizing the resolution from 1080p to 720p alone will cut filesize by more than half, all before any actual compression is applied. A 720p movie at 7GB would look roughly as compressed as the same 1080p movie at 15GB. The 1080p movie at 7GB would look twice as compressed.
Any encoder with 1080p movie file size in the single-digits are taking advantage of audiences who don't know any better and who think 1080p = quality. 1080p is just a buzzword, and it only means resolution, which has the biggest impact on bitrate but the lowest impact on quality. For this same reason, I personally don't care for 4K movies, not until we have the technology to truly support it.
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 6 points
Tigole, as well as the rest of UTR, put out a lot of HQ x265 stuff. Most people underestimate how far HEVC can compress stuff without losing quality, the theoretical limit is just below 4x compression (depending on the complexity of the images). I have posted this pic and article in a few places but I think this will help people understand what these codecs actually are...
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/h-265-hevc-encoding-explained/
https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/hevcslide1-640x640.png
[-] Frodo_Bomb | 2 points
compressing an untouched BluRay 4x would put it at just under 9mbps, but most are compressed far beyond that. A 3mbps movie would mean that it was compressed by at least 10x. There will be a loss of quality in encodes compressed that much, no matter how much of an improvement HEVC is over AVC
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 2 points
Not 4x compression of a Blu-ray, 4x compression over the equivalent quality x264 file. x265 handles larger macro-blocks meaning everything between key frames can be described with up to 4x less information than it could with x264, hence the much lower bit-rate. You cannot directly compare x264 and x265 bit-rates.
I just convert it using ffmpeg copy command. I also strip all the meta data.
I watch everything on Roku 2 and One Plus One. So it's a must do. Plus I got 6tb of storage so size doesn't matter.
Here's the batch script I wrote. You just need to download ffmpeg and place it in the same folder. Then create a folder called 'nometa'. https://pastebin.com/JRNZYMNt
I strip metadata because some older uploads have been re-uploads from torrent sites and plex loves to use metadata for title.
[-] randyputin | 3 points
Forget X265, I can manage that, its everything being 10-bit that is driving me mad. I can't do 10-bit but can manage x265 fine. Its odd that the 2 are a package deal for most encodes.
[-] BelchingBob | 1 points
Exactly this. Yes, I understand HEVC reduces sizes extensively, but there is no need to go overboard.
We don't all operate server boxes with 10 WDREDs in our apartments.
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 2 points
x265/H.265 is future, x264/H.264 are being phased out worldwide. You can get sub $50 devices that will play x265 and you can save ~40%-60% of the space over an equivalent x264 encode. I upload in x265 because otherwise it would take forever to send up content. I store stuff in x265 because I store massive ammounts of data so even with lots of HDD and space I run out of room.
x265 has been steadily increasing in popularity for a long time. I've been collecting x265 videos for years now.
[-] darksaviorx | 1 points
I use plex to stream and it auto transcodes if the device doesn't support a format.
[-] cyberdoggy | 1 points
Any 4k TV should play x265 fine and it's much better than x264 if it's encoded right!
That's when I switched. I never thought it looked good enough on my older TV, when I got a 4k tv and tried some hevc 4k content I was stunned.
[-] CarolinaHome | 1 points
You need a reality check - my 4k Roku/Insignia sure doesn't handle x265 and the transcoding beats the hell out of my Plex server. But I still like x265 since I hope that one day all of my equipment will support it.
You must have messed up plex settings. Try HEVC on force.
[-] CarolinaHome | 1 points
Don't think I've ever changed anything - What does "Try HEVC on force" mean? I don't see anything like that in the server settings.
It should also be noted that I always have subtitles on if they are available.
[-] [deleted] | 1 points
[deleted]
I got a cheap chinese android box S905X for around $35 USD and it plays HEVC flawlessly. Totally worth it considering im getting many of my BDRips that were closing in at 50gb down to about 22gb with no noticable quality drop at 1080p.
[-] ThatsSpooky | 0 points
Every x265 file I've downloaded so far look so much worse than my x264 files, idk if I'm just downloading shitty encodes or what
this is the problem with a lot of the encodes. They are done badly by small groups/individuals.
Tigole is supposed to bring out good releases.
I'm seeing the same thing. I had Saw 1-7 on x264 and x265 and the 265 was almost unwatchable. Could see the compression blocks, the noise from the film was almost smoothed out (that one can see on a high bitrate x264). This was ~4gb per movie also, not too highly compressed. It could be a bad rip, but it seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Hope I'm wrong.
The reason for the release groups not adopting is is the standard and standardising releases was up in the air. So now we should be seeing some consistency.
I am regularly downloading rmteam TV show releases and hardly ever see issues, as the encodes are pretty much using same presets (even though most are re-encodes)
[-] AReallyScaryGhost | -2 points
It's not the standard. It's just smaller files with an okay video quality. For some reason people here can't afford hard drive space even though its dirt cheap. I just download better quality stuff off of torrents and encode it to x264 if I need to.
...or maybe they want to download the content in half the time?
[-] AReallyScaryGhost | -1 points
Sure. I just care about quality.
[-] Jake548675 | 4 points
If using the right bitrate, x265 isn't any worse than x264. It's just that some people use insufficient bitrates. Naturally a 2GB x265 BDrip has lower quality than a 8GB x264 file. But a 5GB x265 video is about the same as a 8GB x264 encode (probably better), if both use the same source. One problem is that some people just re-encode x264 files; of course those x265 videos are bound to look worse than the source file.
Given the choice between a direct x264 BDrip and an x265 recode, I'd of course take the direct rip, too. Quality over quantity.
I completely agree, but thats the real issue, i love 2gb Game of throne x265 encodes, but you're much more likely to find crappy sub 600mb files, and its just not worth losing so much quality to download in half the time.
[-] uwotm8_888 | 1 points
Ive got tigoles version of got at about 1.3 gb per episode and quality is phenomenol for size. At about 84 gb for 6 seasons its great size to quality ratio for me
[-] gabbertronnnn | -8 points
Since there are only a handful of devices that can actually play the medium. It's a bit premature to make it the new standard imo. Provide x264 alternatives as well if you're gonna post x265.
people who upload here don't owe you anything. if people wanna upload x265 only then that is up to them, they shouldn't feel obliged to satisfy you and source a x265 version.
if you aren't happy with the upload, then skip it. simple.
[-] EvolutionVII | 1 points
It's not a handful. Every standard android TV box can play 10bit x265 at 1080p. It is a crazy thing to assume that every TV on it's on will ever have the hardware/codecsupport to be begin with. External cheap HW is the way to go.
Look, I'm not going to get in to a huge argument or anything - but, x265 is the new standard. Look at it this way,
Any Roku made after the Roku 3 decodes it standard, Apple TV3, any computer with a video card made after 2010, and any Android device with M+ on it.
[-] [deleted] | -2 points
[deleted]
[-] tiiiiimmmm | 2 points
It is unreasonable to demand uploaders put up content 3-4x larger by requiring an x264 source. You only need to spend ~$50 US to get a machine that can play x265 to external devices, that is a much more reasonable expectation than asking everyone to get better internet. I don't have the bandwidth to upload a 40GB x265 encodes AND the 100GB x264 source.
[-] Jake548675 | 2 points
Yep. There was a link to a 570GB x264 BDrip of GoT (S1-6) the other day. There's a release of similar quality by tigole, x265: 85GB
[-] 5-bags | 47 points | Sep 02 2017 08:28:24
I think it's just that people who prefer 265 encode are active in this community at the moment. And quite a lot of good uploaders (bigger, quality sized packs) prefer 265 here in megalinks.
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