Every GoPro Black model since the HERO6 records video in two codecs: HEVC (H.265) for the high-performance modes and the older, more compatible H.264 (AVC) for the rest. The HERO7 through HERO10 let you choose (Preferences > General > Video Compression); the HERO11, 12, and 13 are HEVC-native, with H.264 only at 1080p60 and below in 8-bit.
If your GoPro files won’t play — audio but black screen, or stuttering — you’ve met HEVC on a computer that can’t decode it. The fixes are at the bottom: VLC, conversion, or the Windows HEVC extension.
This page consolidates the per-model rundowns: what each codec is, which modes use which on every model from the HERO6 to the HERO13, how to switch where you can, and what to do about playback. Related: joining HEVC chapter files, converting HEVC, and the bitrate charts.
Each of the Black editions since the GoPro HERO6 Black has used two video codecs: HEVC (H.265) and standard H.264 (AVC).
All of the video files have the same file extension of .mp4, so you can’t tell them apart just by looking at the filename. But the difference inside the file is huge.
What is the Difference Between H.264 and HEVC?
The difference lies in the algorithm (codec) used to compress the video data.
H.264 (AVC)
H.264 is the “legacy” standard. It is the JPEG of video — compatible with almost everything. If you have an old laptop, a cheap tablet, or a TV from 2015, it can probably play H.264 without breaking a sweat.
However, it is inefficient. To get high-quality 4K video, H.264 requires massive file sizes.
HEVC (H.265)
HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is the modern standard. It is smarter, compressing video twice as efficiently as H.264. This means you can get the same video quality at half the file size.
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The catch? It requires more processing power to decode. Older computers (generally pre-2016) often struggle to play HEVC files, resulting in choppy, stuttering playback or a black screen.
How GoPro Implements HEVC (HERO13, 12, 11)
Starting with the HERO11 Black, GoPro made a major change: almost all video modes now default to 10-bit HEVC.
On the HERO11, HERO12, and HERO13, there is no longer a simple menu option to “Switch to H.264.” If you select a high-performance mode (like 5.3K, 4K60, or 4K120), the camera forces you to use HEVC. There is no workaround.
You can only force older H.264 encoding on these newer cameras if you drop the resolution down to 1080p and keep the frame rate low (60fps or below).
Which Video Modes Use HEVC?
With each new model, GoPro retires H.264 further. Here is the breakdown of which modes allow H.264 (Compatibility Mode) and which strictly require HEVC.
HERO13, HERO12 & HERO11 Black
These cameras are HEVC-native. The following modes are HEVC ONLY:
- All 5.3K modes
- All 4K modes
- All 2.7K modes
- 1080p at 240fps
- Any mode recording in 10-bit color (which is the default)
Available H.264 Modes:
- 1080p at 60fps, 30fps, 24fps (Only if 8-bit color is selected)
HERO10 Black
The HERO10 offers a “Compatibility” setting, but it is limited.
| Resolution | Framerate (H.264 Available) |
|---|---|
| 4K | 30, 25, 24 fps (Not 60) |
| 2.7K | 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps |
| 1080p | 120, 60, 30, 24 fps |
Note: 5.3K and 4K60 are always HEVC.
The full mode-by-mode breakdown:
| Resolution | H.264 available (fps) | HEVC only (fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3K | — | 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 |
| 5.3K4:3 | — | 30, 25, 24 |
| 4K | 30, 25 | 120, 100, 60, 50, 24 |
| 4K 4:3 | — | 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 |
| 2.7K | 60, 50 | 240, 200, 120, 100 |
| 2.7K 4:3 | — | 120, 100, 60, 50 |
| 1080p | 120, 100, 60, 50 | 240, 200, 30, 25, 24 |
HERO9 Black
Similar to the HERO10, you can choose HEVC + H.264 in the settings. This will use H.264 for lower resolutions and switch to HEVC automatically for high-performance modes.
| Resolution | Framerate (H.264 Available) |
|---|---|
| 4K | 30, 25, 24 fps |
| 2.7K | 60, 50, 30, 24 fps |
| 1080p | 120, 60, 30, 24 fps |
HERO8 Black
The HERO8 Black has the same two-way setting as the HERO9/10 (HEVC or H.264 + HEVC). With H.264 + HEVC selected, these modes still record HEVC-only:
| Resolution | H.264 available (fps) | HEVC only (fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 4K | 30, 25, 24 | 60, 50 |
| 4K 4:3 | — | 30, 25, 24 |
| 2.7K | 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 | 120, 100 |
| 2.7K 4:3 | 30, 25, 24 | 60, 50 |
| 1440p | 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 | 120, 100 |
| 1080p | 120, 100, 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 | 240, 200 |
HERO7 Black
Same setting, same behavior — the HERO7 Black was the first model with the Video Compression menu option. Mode by mode:
| Resolution | H.264 available (fps) | HEVC only (fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 4K | 30, 25, 24 | 60, 50 |
| 4K 4:3 | — | 30, 25, 24 |
| 2.7K | 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 | 120, 100 |
| 2.7K 4:3 | 30, 25, 24 | 60, 50 |
| 1440 | 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 | 120, 100 |
| 1080 | 120, 100, 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 | 240, 200 |
| 960 | 120, 100 | 240, 200 |
| 720 | 240, 200, 60, 50 | — |
HERO6 Black
The HERO6 Black introduced HEVC but has no codec setting: the camera picks automatically, using HEVC for its highest-performance modes (4K60, 2.7K120, 1080p240 and similar) and H.264 for the rest. If a mode produces files your computer can’t play, the only fix is a lower mode or conversion.
How to Switch Between HEVC and H.264
On the HERO7, HERO8, HERO9, and HERO10 Black, the setting is:
Preferences > General > Video Compressionwith two options: HEVC (everything records HEVC) or H.264 + HEVC (H.264 where available, HEVC where required — the compatible default). In the GoPro Quik app it’s under Camera Preferences > Setup > Video Compression, sometimes with slightly different wording.
The HERO6 Black has no setting (automatic by mode, above). The HERO11, HERO12, and HERO13 Black dropped the setting: they’re HEVC-native, and the only way to get H.264 out of them is 1080p at 60fps or below with 8-bit color.
What to Do If You Can’t Play Your GoPro Videos
If your computer plays the audio but the screen is black, or if the video stutters uncontrollably, your computer likely lacks hardware acceleration for HEVC.
Option 1: Use VLC Media Player (Free)
The default Windows Media Player often fails with HEVC. Download VLC Media Player. It has built-in codecs that can often brute-force playback even on slightly older machines.
Option 2: Convert the Files (HandBrake)
If you need to edit the footage and your computer is choking on it, you must convert the files to H.264. The best free tool for this is HandBrake.
- Open HandBrake.
- Drag in your GoPro file.
- Under the “Video” tab, select H.264 (x264) as the Video Codec.
- Press Start.
Option 3: Install the HEVC Codec (Windows)
Windows 10 and 11 do not always include the HEVC codec by default. You can buy the official “HEVC Video Extensions” from the Microsoft Store (it costs $0.99). This enables system-wide support for the files.
Common Questions
Which is better, HEVC or H.264?
At the same bitrate, HEVC gives equal or better quality in half the file size. H.264’s advantage is that everything can play it. If your computer and phone are reasonably recent, use HEVC; if you share files with older machines, H.264 + HEVC is the safer setting.
How do I tell whether a GoPro file is HEVC or H.264?
Not from the name — both are .mp4. Check the file’s info panel: Get Info / Properties, or the codec readout in VLC (Window > Media Information > Codec Details).
Why won’t my GoPro video play on my computer?
Almost always HEVC on a machine without hardware decoding (roughly pre-2016 Macs and PCs). Try VLC first; convert with HandBrake if you need to edit; on Windows, the HEVC Video Extensions add system-wide support.
Does HEVC look better on a GoPro?
The 10-bit modes on the HERO11–13 are HEVC-only, so yes in the sense that the best quality the camera offers requires it. Between 8-bit HEVC and H.264 versions of the same mode, the difference is file size more than visible quality.
