[How To] Install H.265 HEVC codec on Ubuntu

The use of H.265/HEVC video codecs is increasing day by day since it is easy to achieve the best video quality in a small size (best compression).
Most of the players will play media containing H.265/HEVC codecs. If the player does not, then one must install the H.265/HEVC decoder in the system.

Steps to install H.265/HEVC decoder in Ubuntu Desktop:

Step 1 : Enable the third party repository / PPA libede265

The libde265 GS plugin is open source based on the H.265 video codec. To install the plugin, add the third party PPA repository as shown in the following command:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:strukturag/libde265

If you are facing issue while adding the third party ppa then refer to the official webstite here for more information.

Note - If the third party plugin is not installed properly then you may get following error:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package vlc-plugin-libde265

Step 2 : Update the packages

After sucessfully adding the libede265 PPA, update the package using following command:

sudo apt-get update

Step 3 : GStreamer plugin

Install GStreamer plugin using following command:

sudo apt-get install gstreamer0.10-libde265

The default video player or browser should be able to play the media files. In case of any error while playing the video, try restarting the system.

Step 4 : GStreamer application

If necessary, install GStreamer application using following command:

sudo apt-get install gstreamer1.0-libde265

Step 5 : VLC plugin

For VLC player, install the libdde265 VLC plugin. Now VLC player should be to play the HEVC media.

sudo apt-get install vlc-plugin-libde265

Steps to upgrade VLC player

Step 1 : Install the below PPA

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mc3man/trusty-media

Step 2 : Upgrade existing VLC player

sudo apt-get install vlc

Enjoy playing the HD contents!