
If your data is always being converted and you are using any of these apps, then either your source data is not already compressed as H.264/AAC data or your settings are incorrect.
#HOW TO CONVERT VIDEO FILES TO MP4 ON MAC MP4#
The Smart Converter Pro app automatically checks the source compression formats and only converts tracks that need to be converted for MP4 compatibility-but only if the preferences are not set to force conversions. Transcoding/exporting data changes it (often for the worse) while the Subler/MPEG Streamclip "Save" or "Save As." option and selection of the MP4 target file type copies the source data without changing it (assuming the original data was compressed as H.264/AAC). Then you are either using the wrong apps or wrong settings. I wanted to keep a copy and not lose any quality, which is what ALL of the 3rd party apps made happen, without exception. The same is true for HEVC (H.265) files with the additional proviso that the video "Sample Track Type" must be identified as "hvc1" internally. The same MPEG-4/AAC or H.264/AAC data can be stored in any of these containers but different apps may or may not be programmed to accept each type of container/extension. MOV, MP4, and M4V extensions refer to the file container. Alternately, if you wish to keep the original MOV file but copy its data to a new MP4 file container, you can use a third-party app like MPEG Streamclip (free), Subler ($), or Smart Converter ($) to remux the source data to a new file container without changing it in order to retain the original level of video quality. If the source MOV file contains H.264 video and AAC audio (as recorded by macOS and/or iOS devices) and you don't like the loss in visual quality that occurs when some apps transcoded the MOV files to MP4, then you can simply change the ".mov" extension to ".mp4" and avoid the transcoding process altogether. I needed to upload MP4 to Instagram as it doesn't accept. its "QT" use is more limited than either the MOV or M4V file containers on a Mac.įor older iPads it was not possible to save as MP4 and in order to do this I tried a number of 3rd party apps - all crap frankly, with poor quality on conversion. In short, I never said these MP4 files couldn't contain such data, but the fact remains that doing so may make the MP4 file incompatible with certain QT apps on the Mac-i.e. There was a similar problem and solution for the opening and iMovie editing of MP4 files containing chapter or other text tracks. In a similar manner, MP4 'Tween slideshows created by iPhoto lost editing compatibility with post-HD 6 iMovie apps unless the 'Tween track was deleted by QT 7 Pro or stripped from the container by re-copying the AV data to a new MP4 container using MPEG Streamclip. QT 7, for instance, will no longer open the file even if QT X or VLC does. I have no problem playing my H.264/AAC/AC3/Chapter content in MOV and M4V file containers on any current QT X/7 player but this is not true for an MP4 file containing the same data. The fact that the data can be placed in an MP4 container does not mean that it will play in QT on a Mac. mov format) ever developed? What are the most significant shortcomings to MP4?Īm primarily referring to QT OS/IOS "programmed" support, or rather the lack thereof, for many compression formats that someone might choose to place in an MP4 file container using third-party software. Why is it that this container is the most limited when the MOV container was arguably the most open container (in terms of what types of data it could hold not open vs. Of the three, the MP4 file container is the most limited in terms of types of data that may be wrapped in the file container. It should be noted here that MPEG-4/AAC and H.264/AAC compressed data normally plays equally well in MOV, MP4, or M4V file containers. Once again applications like QT 7 Pro, MPEG Streamclip, or HandBrake can be used to transcode data and select an MP4 target file format. If the MOV file contains other forms of compressed audio and video data, then you must export the source file to convert the data to compression formats that are compatible with the MP4 file container. For most people, this may be the most convenient method of creating a "real" MP4 video since it does not require any conversion of the original source data and, thus, preserves the original quality of the MOV file.
#HOW TO CONVERT VIDEO FILES TO MP4 ON MAC SOFTWARE#
The element of convenience depends, to a major extent, on what compressed data is contained in the MOV file container and what software you have at your disposal.įor instance, if the MOV file contains MPEG-4/AAC or H.264/AAC compressed data, then you can use an app like QT 7 Pro or MPEG Streamclip to copy the compressed data from the MOV file container to a new MP4 file container.
