How do I copy an MP4 file to a USB?

Question

Level 1

8 points

How do I copy an MP4 file to a USB?

I`v been trying to copy a video file to an attached USB and it just doesnt happen. Dragged it onto it and it didnt work. Please HELP!

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Jan 2, 2016 9:03 AM

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Answer 1

ken155

Level 1

15 points

Dec 26, 2017 1:59 PM in response to texasholden

I just discovered this today. I'm no tech geek but it seems to have worked....

You have to format the flash drive to be EXFAT vice MS-DOS FAT. My understanding is that MS-DOS FAT is limited to a 2 gig size and since you're at the limit, that just might be your problem.

To to Utilities>disk utilities where you'll see your flash drive and click on it. Then change format to EXFAT. I'm hoping that the flash drive can be read by windows machine as well.

As stated, I'm no geek so take these procedures with grain of salt.

hope this helps.

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Answer 2

141faizan Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2016 10:20 AM in response to KiltedTim

MP4 file is around 800 MB and it is a 16 GB usb with 4.3 GIG of free space available.

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Answer 3

141faizan Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2016 10:48 AM in response to KiltedTim

YAY, it worked! Thanks again !🙂

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Answer 4

ken155

Level 1

15 points

Dec 25, 2017 6:56 AM in response to KiltedTim

I am unable to export MP4 file (4 gB) to a 64gB flash drive. The flash drive is formatted MS-DOS (FAT32). I want to be able to use the flash drive for both MAC and Windows machines. When I try to export I get this message: The item (title) can't be copied because it is too large for the volume's format. Since I'm trying to copy a 4gB file to a 64gB empty flash drive, I just don't understand the problem. Any suggestions?? Thanks..

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Answer 5

Dec 26, 2017 1:37 PM in response to ken155

Hey,

Getting exactly same problem on my macbook air, its doing my head in. File is 2gb and drive is 8gb and formatted right as far as i know

Thanks

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Answer 6

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,546 points

Jan 2, 2016 10:31 AM in response to 141faizan

FAT, Mac OS X Extended, take your pick. If you need it to be usable on a PC, you'll have to format it as FAT.

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Answer 7

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,546 points

Jan 2, 2016 9:06 AM in response to 141faizan

You copy it the same way you copy any other file...

How big is the MP4 file you're trying to copy? How big is the USB drive? How is the drive formatted? Please define "it didn't work". If you're getting an error message, you need to tell us what the error says...

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Answer 8

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,546 points

Jan 2, 2016 10:23 AM in response to 141faizan

And what, exactly, happens when you try to copy the file to the USB stick? A file is a file. It doesn't matter what kind of file it is. it's just zeros and ones. There is nothing to stop you copying an MP4 file to a USB stick as opposed to any other kind of file.

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Answer 9

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,546 points

Jan 2, 2016 10:26 AM in response to 141faizan

Can you copy anything at all to the USB drive? Sounds like it's read only... How is it formatted? If it was formatted on a PC as an NTFS drive, you can't write to it. OS X can not write to an NTFS volume without installing 3rd party software. It has never been able to do so.

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