264 File

What are 264 files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a 264 file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your 264 files.

What is a 264 file?

264 files have multiple uses, and H.264 DVR video is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

H.264 DVR video

.264 files are video files in the H264 video file format. Files of this type are compressed video files stored on hard drives of digital video recorders and surveillance equipment like IP/CCTV cameras.

The high-definition video content of DVDs and Blu-Ray discs is often extracted as H.264 video streams if you "rip" the content of such a medium.

You can convert these files into other video file formats to save storage space or easy viewing on different devices.

How to open 264 files

We have identified two 264 openers that are compatible with this specific type of 264 file.

Programs that open H.264 DVR video files

Last updated: August 14, 2026

All known file formats using extension .264

While H.264 DVR video is a popular type of 264-file, we know of 4 different uses of the .264 file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Video Ripper Temporary Data

Files with the .264 extension are commonly associated with video ripping software. StaxRip and RipBot264 use this file extension for temporary video files. The 264 files are created when this software is used to extract video data that can be encoded into other video formats.

These files store the raw video data before the actual conversion occurs. They are normally deleted automatically after the video conversion is completed.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different 264 openers which you will find listed below.

HXV Video

HXV Video files are raw surveillance camera recordings that encapsulate H.264 or H.265 video streams in a proprietary wrapper found in some IP camera systems. They are produced when the camera system saves its encoded video data directly, without standard containers like MP4 or AVI. The files are used to record continuous video or motion-event footage until the system's software or viewer converts or exports them for ordinary players.

These files are written by the camera's onboard or associated recording device as the native output. During playback, the camera's software, firmware, or surveillance NVR can parse and render them; users often need specialized tools (e.g. FFmpeg with "hxvs" demuxer) to decode and convert them into common video formats. In many cases they store both video and optionally audio, with keyframes clearly marked so video-seeking functions work when parsed fully.

Technical identifiers include a header signature: the file begins with the ASCII bytes HXV at offset 0; it contains the tag HXVF at offset 16, and includes that string "HXVF" elsewhere in the file. The wrapper uses tags such as HXVS or HXVT to indicate the type of stream (H.264 or H.265 respectively), and frames are prefixed with either tag HXVF for video or HXAF for audio packets.

HXVS Video

HXVS Video files are created by surveillance systems, especially low-cost Chinese IP or DVR cameras, to store video that has been encoded in H.264 format. These files use a proprietary container format - often labelled HXVS, HXVF, or HXVT - to wrap the actual video stream. The cameras record within this format when set to record H.264 video; playback requires software that can interpret this container so the underlying video can be decoded.

The container adds headers, indices, and markers that are not part of standard MP4 or raw H.264 streams. When a surveillance camera file is exported or viewed, special tools (like FFmpeg with HXVS support) are used to peel away the container so the video (and any embedded audio) can be extracted or converted. Within the camera's workflow the file is generated during recording, and then taken apart or played back by camera software or specialized video players.

Files begin with ASCII "HXVS" in the first four bytes and include further markers like "HXVF" elsewhere in the header. These tags identify which container format is used and whether the video uses H.264 or H.265 encoding. Decimal size fields follow some of these markers, determining how much valid data comes after them before the next section begins.

264 opener for Windows

We have identified one 264 opener that is compatible with this specific type of 264 file.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of 264 files. Remember, different programs may use 264 files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about 264 file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.