How to play H264 Video file using VideoToolbox.framework in iOS 8?

Question

I want to play a .H264 video file in iOS 8 with use of VideoToolbox.framework and not with ffmpeg library.

I have found few Tutorials + Reference links to understand VideoToolbox.framework, but still couldn't find, "how to play .H264 in iOS?".

Few Examples :

• https://github.com/manishganvir/iOS-h264Hw-Toolbox

• https://github.com/McZonk/VideoToolboxPlus

Reference Links :

• https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/releasenotes/General/APIDiffsMacOSX10_8/VideoToolbox.html

• https://developer.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2014/?include=513#513

• Decoding H264 VideoToolkit API fails with Error -8971 in VTDecompressionSessionCreate

You can download a test (.H264) video for Testing from here.

Answer 1

It depends on what your trying to decode. If you have a File or valid end point. AVFoundation is what your looking for.

The VideoToolBox is for decoding video manually. Which is used in real-time streaming. For this case you will be required to parse the NAL units from each payload and follow this tutorial:

https://stackoverflow.com/a/29525001/2878935

Answer 2

VideoToolbox.framework is not used to display video files on screen but rather for decoding and conversion of video data. Use AVKit.framework or AVFoundation.framework to play a H264 video instead.

See Apples documentation of the Media Layer:

The Video Toolbox framework comprises the 64-bit replacement for the QuickTime Image Compression Manager. Video Toolbox provide services for video compression and decompression, and for conversion between raster image formats stored in Core Video pixel buffers.