I understand that the mov format is more compatible with Apple devices and software, so I need to convert mp4 to mov in order for it to play smoothly on my Mac. Can anyone recommend a reliable and efficient method or software for converting mp4 to mov on a Mac?
I would appreciate any suggestions or advice on this matter. Thank you in advance.
MOV is the standard video format used in Apple devices and software, and converting MP4 to MOV can often improve compatibility and playback quality. Here are some reliable and efficient methods for converting MP4 to MOV on a Mac:
QuickTime Player: QuickTime Player is a default media player that comes with macOS, and you can use it to convert MP4 to MOV. Open the video in QuickTime Player and then click "File" > "Export As" > "Mov." Then, choose a location to save the new file and click "Save."
VLC Media Player: Another free media player with conversion capabilities is VLC. Open VLC and choose "File" > "Convert/Stream" > "Open Media." Add the MP4 file, click "Convert/Save," and then choose "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" as the profile. Next, choose "Browse" to select a destination and rename the file with the .mov extension. Finally, click "Start" to begin the conversion.
Online Converters: There are several online converters that can convert MP4 to MOV. Some popular options include Online-Convert and FileZigZag. Simply upload the MP4 file, select MOV as the output format, and then download the converted file.
If you still need more different options, you can browse here:
Video converters software: Some popular software in the market for video conversion include Handbrake, Any Video Converter, and Wondershare UniConverter. You can download and install any of these software on your Mac. These video converters offer more advanced features.
MOV is the standard video format used in Apple devices and software, and converting MP4 to MOV can often improve compatibility and playback quality. Here are some reliable and efficient methods for converting MP4 to MOV on a Mac:
QuickTime Player: QuickTime Player is a default media player that comes with macOS, and you can use it to convert MP4 to MOV. Open the video in QuickTime Player and then click "File" > "Export As" > "Mov." Then, choose a location to save the new file and click "Save."
VLC Media Player: Another free media player with conversion capabilities is VLC. Open VLC and choose "File" > "Convert/Stream" > "Open Media." Add the MP4 file, click "Convert/Save," and then choose "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" as the profile. Next, choose "Browse" to select a destination and rename the file with the .mov extension. Finally, click "Start" to begin the conversion.
Online Converters: There are several online converters that can convert MP4 to MOV. Some popular options include Online-Convert and FileZigZag. Simply upload the MP4 file, select MOV as the output format, and then download the converted file.
If you still need more different options, you can browse here:
Video converters software: Some popular software in the market for video conversion include Handbrake, Any Video Converter, and Wondershare UniConverter. You can download and install any of these software on your Mac. These video converters offer more advanced features.
MOV and MP4 are just wrappers that contain video encoded with one of many possible codecs.
The compatibility issue arrises because of the codec used, not the wrapper. If you set out to convert all of your mp4 to mov, you will mostly just end up with a lot less storage to get a handful of videos to play.
The only mp4 video you would need to transcode would be ones that don't play.
Or, just play them using VLC. If they don't play on VLC, then you probably cannot transcode them. Apple periodically dumps old codecs from the OS, but VLC keeps them around.
dialabrain wrote:
FWIW, Matti is correct. Apple devices will play most all MP4 files. If for some reason you want to convert one to a MOV file, MacX Video Converter Pro works fairly well.
The software may not provide extensive options for customizing the output video, such as adjusting specific parameters or editing features like cropping, merging, or adding subtitles. And the conversion process might be slower compared to other software options available in the market.
Nicoleller wrote:
How about the Handbrake? This is a free and open-source video converter available for Mac. It is a reliable tool for converting MP4 to MOV and offers a lot of customization options. You can download Handbrake easily from its official website.
Handbrake's user interface can be overwhelming for beginners, as it offers extensive customization options and advanced settings. Users with minimal technical knowledge might find it difficult to navigate and understand all the features.
FWIW, Matti is correct. Apple devices will play most all MP4 files. If for some reason you want to convert one to a MOV file, MacX Video Converter Pro works fairly well. Be aware, if you convert an MP4 file to MOV, it could end up significantly larger.
How about the Handbrake? This is a free and open-source video converter available for Mac. It is a reliable tool for converting MP4 to MOV and offers a lot of customization options. You can download Handbrake easily from its official website.
VLC can transcode video and audio formats as well, though it can quite handily play most formats without the need for their conversion.
There is not much difference between .mp4, .m4v and .mov. What might matter are the codecs inside those wrappers (VP9 video, Opus audio in Google's sites etc).
you can read up on the differences between codecs and containers here Guide to Video File Formats, Codecs and Containers | The TechSmith Blog
I've thousands of .mp4 files on my NAS, which play just fine using Plex or Emby.
I'm curious as to what problem the OP is having playing them.
When I go to export in quicktime .mov is not given as an option, only the various sizes!
How do I to Convert MP4 to MPV on Mac?
