Overview
- HP said it disabled HEVC hardware on select devices in 2024, naming the 600 Series G11, 400 Series G11, and 200 Series G9 lines.
- Dell said HEVC playback remains available on premium or specifically configured systems, while base models require an affordable third-party app from the Microsoft Store.
- Official HP documentation for models such as the ProBook 460 G11, ProBook 465 G11, and EliteBook 665 G11 states that hardware acceleration for H.265/HEVC is disabled.
- Users report HEVC videos stalling in browsers like Chrome and Firefox on affected laptops, though VLC, Windows Media Player, or licensed codecs continue to play the format.
- Neither company gave a reason for the change, and reporting notes it aligns with HEVC royalty increases from $0.20 to $0.24 per unit for large volumes as PC shipments reach tens of millions.