You've probably already come across these somewhat barbaric acronyms: H.264, H.265... And if you're using an Insta360 X5 , these codec choices are offered to you every time you adjust your video quality. But what is it exactly? And above all, which one should you choose for your 360° videos ? In this article, we'll decode all of this simply for you. We promise, you don't need to be a video engineer to understand!
These are called video compression codecs . Basically, they're used to encode your video so that it takes up less space while still maintaining decent image quality.
H.264 (also known as AVC): This is the most widely used format. It's compatible everywhere. It compresses well, but it's starting to get old.
H.265 (also called HEVC): This is the smarter little brother. It offers better quality for a smaller file size ... but it requires a bit more power to play or edit.
Your X5 lets you choose between the two. And that's great, because every situation is different. Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:
Criteria | H.264 | H.265 |
Image quality | Good | Very good |
File size | Average | 30 to 50% lighter |
Ease of reading | Very easy (all computers) | May bug on old PCs |
Assembly | Ultra compatible | Sometimes harder to decode |
Compatible platforms | 100% | 80–90%, depending on version |
You are using a somewhat old computer.
You want to transfer your rushes easily without compatibility concerns
You are publishing on a platform that does not handle HEVC well (some mobile apps)
You want smooth playback on smartphone without conversion
You want to keep maximum quality with a smaller file size
You film in 8K and want to save storage space
You have a recent computer or you are editing on a latest generation smartphone
You want better rendering on very detailed shots or in low light
Yes, absolutely. In 360° video, file sizes can explode , especially if you shoot for a long time or in high resolution. Using H.265 can literally allow you to shoot longer on the same SD card , or export faster from Insta360 Studio.
On the other hand, if you want to edit on a machine that is not very new, H.264 remains more stable.
With the X5, you will come across files in:
.INSV : the raw format from the camera, to open in Insta360 Studio or the mobile app
.MP4 : when you export a cropped video (already compressed in H.264 or H.265)
.LRV : lightweight version for quick preview (low res)
So, if you want to do professional editing: keep the INSVs warm, and choose the right codec when exporting.
H.264 or H.265—there's no universally right or wrong choice. It all depends on your gear, your workflow, and what you want to do with your video. The important thing is knowing when to use one or the other to optimize your space, your rendering, and your workflow.
With the Insta360 X5 , you have the freedom to choose. And that's really cool. 🎥💡
