# Video encoding compatibility reference

> Refer to the encoding compatibility options.

Video encoding compresses video files using a codec to save bandwidth and storage.

## Codecs

| **Codec** | **Advantages**                                           | **Disadvantages**                                   |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **H.264** | Best natively supported codec for hardware acceleration. |                                                     |
| **H.265** | Higher compression.                                      | Limited to [supported devices](#H265Compatibility). |
| **VP8**   | Cross-platform support and comprehensive feature set.    | Consumes more resources compared to H.264.          |

The Unity Editor supports the .ogv format, but it isn’t widely supported on other platforms. Transcode .ogv files into .mp4 (H.264) or .webm (VP8) depending on the target platform.

> **Note:**
>
> Android supports VP8 using native libraries, so VP8 might be hardware-assisted on some Android devices.

## Encoding with external programs

If you use video files that the target platform supports, you can manage encoding with an external program for finer control. You can disable the **Transcode** property in the [Video Clip Importer](/engine/6000.3/manual/video/sources/class-video-clip.md) so Unity doesn’t modify the video files.

## Key encoding values

The following table lists key values in your encoding parameters:

| **Parameter**      | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Video Codec**    | [H.264](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264/MPEG-4_AVC), [H.265](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Efficiency_Video_Coding), or [VP8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VP8).                                                                                                                   |
| **Resolution**     | The resolution of your display. For example: 1280 × 720.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Profile**        | The profile is a set of capabilities and constraints, often specified by the vendor, such as Baseline or Main. Applies to H.264/H.265. See [H.264](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264/MPEG-4_AVC#Profiles) or [H.265](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Efficiency_Video_Coding#Profiles). |
| **Profile Level**  | Applies for H.264/H.265. Within a given profile, the level specifies performance requirements, for example, Baseline 3.1.                                                                                                                                                                    |
| **Audio Codec**    | [AAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding) (for .mp4 videos using H.264/H.265) or [Vorbis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorbis) (for .webm videos using VP8).                                                                                                               |
| **Audio Channels** | Dependent on the platform. Refer to the developer guide for your platform. For example, the article on [Supported media formats](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/media/media-formats) for Android.                                                                                |

## H.265 compatibility

The following table provides platform-specific requirements and information for the H.265 codec:

| **Platform** | **Requirements**                                                                                | **Encoding/Decoding**                                                                                                                                                                          | **Notes**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **macOS**    | SDK 10.13+                                                                                      | **Hardware encoding:** 6th Generation Intel Core processor**Software encoding:** All Macs**Hardware decoding:** 6th Generation Intel Core processor**Software decoding:** All Macs             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Windows**  | Windows 10 + HEVC extensions                                                                    | [Encoder](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/medfound/h-265---hevc-video-encoder)[Decoder](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/medfound/h-265---hevc-video-decoder) | [HEVC extension (Hardware only)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/p/hevc-video-extensions-from-device-manufacturer/9n4wgh0z6vhq)[HEVC extension (Hardware + software support)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/p/hevc-video-extensions/9nmzlz57r3t7/0010) |
| **UWP**      | [Windows 10+](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/audio-video-camera/supported-codecs) |                                                                                                                                                                                                | If a device lists support for H.265, that might not apply to all devices within the device family.                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Android**  | [5.0+](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/media/media-formats)                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **iOS**      | SDK 11.0+                                                                                       | **Hardware decoding:** A9 Chip**Software decoding:** All iOS Devices                                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **tvOS**     | SDK 11.0+                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

## Additional resources

* [Understand video files](/engine/6000.3/manual/video/sources/video-files.md)
* [Video transcoding](/engine/6000.3/manual/video/sources/transcoding.md)
* [Video file compatibility with the Unity Editor](/engine/6000.3/manual/video/sources/file-compatibility.md)