Open 264 file

264 file icon Did your computer fail to open 264 file? We explain what 264 files are and recommend software that we know can open your 264 files.

What is 264 file?

A 264 file extension is used for video files encoded in H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard, which is currently one of the most common formats used for distribution of High Definition video. The format is probably best known for being used on Blu-ray discs. Media players that are able to play Blu-ray discs will be able to open 264 files as well.

264 file description

The 264 file extension is associated with the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video format. This file extension is often used for H.264 video in RAW format before its conversion to the standard H.264 video formats, that are playable in the most media players.

The H.264/AVC video codec was introduced in 2003 as a successor of H.263 codec and it is used to provide good video quality through low bitrate connection (average half bitrate and the same quality as MPEG-2). Now is used as a standard applied to a wide variety of applications on a wide variety of networks and systems including low and high bit rates, low and high resolution video, broadcast, DVD storage, RTP/IP packet networks, and ITU-T multimedia telephony systems.

In 2004 the original H.264 codec was extended by FRExt (Fidelity Range Extensions) developed by JVT that enable higher quality video coding by supporting increased sample bit depth precision and higher-resolution color information, including sampling structures known as YUV 4:2:2 and YUV 4:4:4. The H.264 codec is still in developing and now is available version 17.

The video stored in H.264 codec can be stored in various resolutions from 128x96 to 4096x2304.

The 264 files are often recorded by hardware DVR recorders used to manage security IP cameras, or other security systems.
These video files are often header less (file header stores information about data stored in the file) and their playback in multimedia players, like VLC player, are not possible. But you can use for example Netviewer app that allows you to playback 264 files from DVR recorders, and convert them to AVI format.