H.265/HEVC compatibility on Mac: ClonerAlliance UHD Halo FAQ¶
macOS has limited native support for the H.265 (HEVC) video codec. This article explains the compatibility considerations and provides guidance for Mac users recording with the ClonerAlliance UHD Halo.
The Issue¶
Files recorded in H.265 (HEVC) may not play back correctly or may not be recognized at all in some macOS applications and media players. This is a macOS platform limitation, not a problem with the UHD Halo or the recorded file itself.
H.264 vs H.265: A Quick Comparison¶
Feature |
H.264 |
H.265 (HEVC) |
|---|---|---|
File Size |
Larger |
Smaller (up to 50% less) |
Playback on Mac |
Full support |
Limited support |
Editing on Mac |
Widely supported |
May require additional tools |
Sharing |
Best compatibility |
Good |
Archiving |
Good |
Best (smaller file size) |
Recommendations for Mac Users¶
For sharing or editing: Use H.264 when recording. It is fully supported on macOS and compatible with all major editing software (Final Cut Pro, iMovie, etc.).
For archiving: H.265 can be used if the files will be stored long-term and played back on devices with full H.265 support.
If you need to play H.265 files on Mac: Install a third-party player such as VLC Media Player, which supports H.265 playback on macOS.
How to Set the Video Codec
Stop any active recording.
Open the OSD menu: Menu → Record Settings → Video Codec.
Select H.264 or H.265 as needed.
Note
See Why can’t I switch between H.264 and H.265 on ClonerAlliance UHD Halo if you encounter issues switching between H.264 and H.265.