How to use AMD VCE/VCN encoder - HEVC vs H.264

If your graphics card supports AMD App Acceleration, you will be able to enhance the recording ability of Bandicam by using the GPU of the graphics card. Bandicam 1.9.2 or a higher version supports the AMD VCE/VCN H.264 encoder, so Bandicam users can record the target in high speed, with a high compression ratio, and in high quality.

HEVC vs H.264 - Which one is better?

HEVC (H.265) is better at compression than H.264 (The video quality of HEVC is better than H.264 if the file size is the same. The file size of HEVC is smaller than H.264 if the video quality is the same).

However, some media players don't support HEVC and HEVC uses more CPU usage than H.264.
Users have to choose the proper codec to meet their needs.

HEVC vs H.264 - Size, Quality and Speed

The table below shows the file sizes, video quality and codec speed.

Codec Size Quality Speed Description
HEVC 33.5 MB
 Better
 Fast
 Better than H.264 at compression
H264 34.2 MB
 Better
 Fast
 Best codec for most users

(Recording time: one minute, Video resolution: 1920x1080, FPS: 30, Quality: 80) » Comparison of video codecs

To use the AMD VCE/VCN encoder, please follow the steps below:

  1. Download/install the latest AMD video card driver

    • Go to https://support.amd.com/, and download/install the latest AMD video card driver.
    • AMD Catalyst 13.10 beta or a higher version supports the H.264 encoder. (Catalyst 13.9 or lower versions don't support the H.264 encoder.)

  2. Choose the "H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)" option from Bandicam

    • Click the Settings button under the Video tab of Bandicam, and then choose the "H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)" encoder.
    • H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN) is one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition video. (View the comparison of video codecs of Bandicam)

    H.264 AMD VCE/VCN encoder Settings

    • VBR (Variable bitrate) - Quality-based: VBR allows a higher bitrate for faster scenes and a lower bitrate for slower scenes, as a result, the recorded video size can be made smaller. (Recommended)
    • CBR (Constant Bitrate) - Bitrate-based: CBR always uses the same bitrate, as a result, you can predict the video file size (But, the recorded video size might be larger.)
    • Keyframe interval: If you choose "150" as the Keyframe interval, keyframes will be created every 150 frames.
    • FourCC code: To play the recorded video on media players, choose "H264". To edit the recorded video with Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere with the AVI container, choose "X264". » See more

If you cannot see the "H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)" option from Bandicam, please try the solutions below:

  1. Try the latest version of Bandicam from https://www.bandicam.com/downloads/.

  2. "H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)" is available on Windows Vista/7/8/10.

    - If you use 'Windows XP', the "H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)" menu will not be shown.

  3. Uninstall graphics card driver and reinstall the latest AMD video card driver.

  4. Identify the model of your AMD graphics card.

    If your graphics card supports "VIDEO CODEC ENGINE (VCE/VCN)", you can use the AMD VCE H.264 encoder.
    Please visit https://www.amd.com/ to check if your graphics card supports "VIDEO CODEC ENGINE (VCE)".

    • Desktop: HD 7700 or higher AMD graphics cards (HD 7700/7800/7970/7990, R7 250X/260/260X/265/360/370, R9, RX 460/470/480/540/560/570/580, Firepro, etc.) support the AMD H.264 encoder.
    • Desktop: HD 7600 or lower AMD graphics cards (HD 7900, R5 2xx/3xx/4xx, R7 240/250/340/350, 6xxx, HD 5xxx, or HD 4xxx, etc.) don't support the AMD H.264 encoder.
    • Laptop: HD 7700M/7800M/7900M/8830M/8850M/8870M support the AMD H.264 encoder.
    • Laptop: HD 7300M/7400M/7500M/7600M/8500M/8600M/8700M/8800M/8900M, and R5/R7/R9 M200/M440 don't support the AMD H.264 encoder.

  5. Uncheck "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"

    Right-click on Bandicam -> Properties -> Compatibility -> and uncheck Run this program in compatibility mode for: .
    If this option is checked, the "H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)" menu will not be shown.

  6. If you still can't see the "H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)" option,

    Please enter "Windows Key + R" -> type "dxdiag" -> Display -> and click the "Save All Information..." button and then send the DxDiag.txt file to bandicam@bandicam.com.

  7. Error message: "Your system does not support 'H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)', so the default codec will be used."

    If you see the error message above when you use the 'H.264 (AMD VCE/VCN)' codec, go to your Windows Desktop, right-click, select Display settings, choose another display ("No. 1" or "No.2") which is being used by AMD, check the Make this my main display option, and try it again.

GPU Hardware Acceleration Support

Nvidia NVENC, HEVC Intel Quick Sync Video, HEVC AMD VCE/VCN
OS Windows 7/8/10 Windows 7/8/10 Windows Vista, 7/8/10
Bandicam v2.0.0/v2.4.0 or higher v1.9.0/v3.1.1 or higher v1.9.1 or higher
Graphics card GTX 600 or higher / HEVC: GM20x GPU i3, i5, i7 processors / HEVC: Skylake GPU HD 7700 or higher
Video resolution No limitations (4K Recording, 3840x2160) Haswell: 2560x1600, Pre-Haswell: 1920x1200 1920x1080
Description h264 recording, NVENC H264 recording, Intel quick sync h264 recording, AMD, APP

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