.mpeg vs .mp4 confusion!!!

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Level 1

110 points

.mpeg vs .mp4 confusion!!!

I have QT Pro and Flip4mac installed. Both work well. I, on the other hand, don't! Why does QT tag its movies with a .mp4 instead of .mpeg? In attempting to create short movies for my website NetworkSolutions won't accept .mp4 files. Is there any way to manually tag them with a .mpeg instead and will that work? The movie biz in the web world is a little confusing. Any help from smarter folk than I will certainly be appreciated.

Powerbook G5 2.7 6.5meg 250gig, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 1, 2006 6:46 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 1, 2006 7:17 PM in response to Tim Ross1

MPEG-4 uses .mp4 (among other file extensions). MPEG-1 files are usually .mpg while MPEG-2 files are .mp2 and even .mpeg.
You can also export to MPEG-4 codecs and use the more common .mov file extension. It will work the same way as .mp4 but is more recognized by Web browsers and server software.
You do that by choosing Movie to QuickTime Movie at export. Choose the options button and pick the MPEG-4 Video codec or even use the newer H.264 video codec (also part of MPEG-4).

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Answer 2

Tim Ross1 Author

Level 1

110 points

Jun 1, 2006 7:37 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

This is good info and very much appreciated. If I use the .mov mode then my file is huge for the web... unless it's a very short video. H264 seems to be the best for smaller size but even it seems to leave the .mp4 suffix which throws off the web use. What amd I doing wrong not to be able to lose the .mp4 suffix in the final product? ANy ideas?

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Answer 3

Jun 1, 2006 7:52 PM in response to Tim Ross1

You said yourself that your host couldn't use the .mp4 file extension.
Use H.264 or MPEG-4 Video in a .mov container. It will not be any larger in file size than the same settings used in the .mp4 extension.

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Answer 4

Tim Ross1 Author

Level 1

110 points

Jun 2, 2006 6:45 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

I think I've got it! Using your thoughts and borrowing from your expertise... I think I figured out. making great progress. Learned a lot from you. Thanks much for your help.

Seadrift eh? I'm an Austinite!

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