GenP

Yes, H.265 works with the latest Premiere Pro v25.2.3 patched with GenP v3.6.6. However, some users have previously reported in older GenP posts on Subreddit and Discord that HEVC compatibility breaks after upgrading from previous versions, so results may vary depending on your setup.

If Premiere Pro states that the codec is missing, ensure you have the latest HEVC Video Extensions installed from the Microsoft Store. While some users have successfully enabled HEVC using third-party codec packs, Adobe officially recommends sticking with the Microsoft version for better compatibility.

If your current setup works fine, you might consider staying on your existing version. However, if you want to upgrade, you can try updating to v25.2.3 and test HEVC functionality. If it doesn't work, you can rollback to your previous install and repatch with GenP to restore your setup.

If you still experience issues with HEVC after upgrading, converting HEVC files to a more compatible format like ProRes using HandBrake, Shutter Encoder, or Adobe Media Encoder could be a practical workaround.

Additionally, checking Adobe Community Forums and the two Premiere Pro Subreddits might provide insights into what has worked for other users. Clearing Premiere’s media cache could also resolve potential import issues, and enabling hardware-accelerated decoding in the Media tab under Preferences might improve performance when working with HEVC files.

Also, consider using DaVinci Resolve as an alternative, or even learning both Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve to integrate them into your workflow for maximum flexibility. Many professionals use both for different aspects of their projects, combining the strengths of each software to achieve the best results.

However, hardware decoding for HEVC is only available in DaVinci Resolve Studio, meaning playback and editing performance may be slower in the free version. Additionally, some users have reported that 10-bit HEVC files (especially 4:2:2) may not work properly in the free version, while 8-bit HEVC (4:2:0) might still be usable depending on system codecs. If playback is slow or files appear as "Media Offline," converting HEVC to ProRes or DNxHR using HandBrake or Shutter Encoder can be an effective workaround.