Is Microsoft HEVC video extension useful by any chance?

[sylph0001]

hi guys, recently I've heard some saying about how efficient the Microsoft HEVC video extension is on 4K UHD playback.
So can't help wondering if it's possible to be used on video encoding, or if anyone has already tried that out?
Actually I haven't seen much talking about MS hevc video extension on this forum, so forgive me if it's out of the reach of this forum...
But in case if anyone would like to share any knowledge about it, could anyone tell how to feed any argument to the MS hevc video extension and more importantly, what's the name of this encoder/decoder in windows system filter list? This is because I carefully searched thru the list but couldn't find any item that seems related to the video extension...

Thanks a lot

[StainlessS]

No idea, I have no interest, however,
M$ HEVC video extension for Free:- https://mspoweruser.com/heres-how-you-can-get-the-hevc-codec-from-microsoft-store-for-free/

Later, for some reasons, Microsoft decided to remove HEVC codec from Windows 10 and opening a file with HEVC directed users to a paid version of HEVC provided by Microsoft.
While the codec costs only $0.99, there’s a way to get it for free.
Microsoft hid another version of the HEVC codec on the Microsoft Store and it was for device manufacturers to install the codec on their desktops and laptops before shipping them out to customers.

[sylph0001]

No idea, I have no interest, however,
M$ HEVC video extension for Free:- https://mspoweruser.com/heres-how-you-can-get-the-hevc-codec-from-microsoft-store-for-free/

thanks for the link. a short while ago i had it installed on my pc, so i'm just seeking the possibility (if any) to use it on video encoding.
I'm a bit curious about the unpopularity on this forum about this hevc video extension... was it because the lack of transparency about the code and the way it works?

[foxyshadis]

thanks for the link. a short while ago i had it installed on my pc, so i'm just seeking the possibility (if any) to use it on video encoding.
I'm a bit curious about the unpopularity on this forum about this hevc video extension... was it because the lack of transparency about the code and the way it works?

On Doom9, if it doesn't have a command-line interface (or very simple GUI), it might as well not exist. Back in the WMVPro/VC-1 era, it was exciting enough that a few developers braved Media Foundation to bring us command-line and GUI wrappers, but the MF H265 codec is a total dud, slower and lower quality than x265/ffmpeg (although potentially faster on a phone with a hardware encoder), and encoding is limited to 8-bit, making it useless for HDR.

A good jumping off place to start would be https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/medfound/transcode-sample , with specifics for the codec at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/medfound/h-265---hevc-video-encoder

[Balling]

This is not the same extension. 0.99$ includes SW decoder.

[benwaggoner]

Are we speaking of the "HEVC Video Extensions (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/hevc-video-extensions/9nmzlz57r3t7?activetab=pivot:overviewtab)" from Microsoft? I never noticed it had HEVC encoding before!

Play High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) videos in any video app on your Windows 10 device. These extensions are designed to take advantage of hardware capabilities on some newer devices— including those with an Intel 7th Generation Core processor and newer GPU to support 4K and Ultra HD content. For devices that don’t have hardware support for HEVC videos, software support is provided, but the playback experience might vary based on the video resolution and PC performance. These extensions also let you encode HEVC content on devices that don’t have a hardware-based video encoder.

Microsoft has made some great encoders (their H.264 implementation was quite excellent for its time, although rarely used), albeit with slice-based instead of frame-based multithreading. But I've not heard of a 1st party HEVC one before this.

I'm sure it could be accessed with some MediaFoundation or PowerScript wizardry. I miss GrafEdit.exe.

[Balling]

Yes. Again, it is SW decoder too! And SW encoder, but I never used that. That is why it is not free.

As for the free it is this one https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/hevc-video-extension/9n4wgh0z6vhq#activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Here is a hack to bypass redeem code (it never meant you need to use a code, just that like with Intel graphics app or Realtek console or Nvidia control panel you need HW specific to those apps). https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/j58y6f/no_longer_free_windows_10_hevc_video_extensions/

[ReinerSchweinlin]

when toying aorund with a´s video encoder for HW-Encoding, I noticed some Microsoft encoders popping up... whats that all about ?

[benwaggoner]

when toying aorund with a´s video encoder for HW-Encoding, I noticed some Microsoft encoders popping up... whats that all about ?
Do you have the HEVC extension installed? If so, probably from that.

[ReinerSchweinlin]

I can´t rememember installing that - but this installation is one of my testbenches with a lots of history, maybe... someday...the installed apps list doesn´t list it (a ms vp9 video extension I see)...


I got an RX550 and a GTX1660 installed, hence the nvidia and AMD encoders showing up - never seen the others..

[Balling]

There are encoders as part of MFF.