M4V vs. MP4 ?

I'm fairly to a little knowledgeable about video and converting and such ... mostly due to my experience putting video on my iPod classic. But lately I've been messing around with a new program that converts DVD directly to video (instead of using a DVD ripper and then Videora) and it converts to M4V which I know iTunes does as well.
What exactly are the differences in formats? Is it just like the difference between M4A (AAC Audio) and M4B (AAC Audiobook) which is just a simple extension change and no actual encoding change?
Are M4V files smaller than MP4 of the same quality?
I guess I just want to know what all the differences are.

Not really any difference.
It's one of those things which is not yet set in stone as far as exactly what it is.
They both can use audio & video.
Apple uses m4a as audio & m4v as video.
Kinda like mp3. Lots and lots of people use "mp3" as a generic term for any music file.

Similar Messages

M4v to mp4 converter

whats the best FREE m4v to mp4 converter for mac osx? I have some m4v's that i want to put in iDVD.

That's odd. I was able to find this, which should be able to convert the files. However, it's shareware. http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/ivcd.html I also found this one, which is freeware: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
I also found this tutorial with a linked download. http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=293898
I know you asked for free software, but this was all I could find. If you can't find anything else that works you may have to try demos and shareware. Also, I don't know if any of these apps will be able to convert your files, because many video codecs share the same file extension.
I have one more question for you. What happens when you try to use the M4V files with iDVD? If push comes to shove you may be able to import the video files into iMovie and export them to QuickTime or iDVD. However, this may take some time, and it will only work if iMovie can import the files. Good luck and report back soon.
Video can be a real pain in the neck....

Quicktime won't play m4v or mp4?

Hi all,
Basically I've just used a reliable, tested program to rip a DVD of an old VHS recording my cousin gave me. The intention is to cut out the bit he was in and make it avaialbe to him as a digital video.
The problem I'm having is that for some reason Quicktime and Final Cut are refusing to recognise either the mv4 encoded rip or the mp4 one. The program has always worked before so I doubt it's enciding it wrong and I've got reems of other m4vs and mp4s that play fine in Quicktime X and 7. It's just this one video that seems to be an issue.
I have Kigo Video Converter which is also reliable and much tested and tried converting the mp4 to an avi to see if QT or FC would handle that. All it does is freeze the program, something that has never happened before.
I've honestly never had this much trouble converting home-made DVD burns into digital videos, I've done it many times before myself using numerous methods. I'm also well-versed in digital video formats and encoding and I can't find anything technically wrong with it. I'm baffled.
Any help would be greatly apprectiated, even if it's just that you've had the same problem. At least then we can band together and see if Apple will recognise it as an issue with QT.
Cheers,
Trent

Will VLC even play the file? From what you have been saying I am thinking the file is corrupt.

.mov, m4v or mp4?

The podcast specs state that either .mov, m4v or mp4 can be used for video podcasts that will be viewable on the iPod and Apple TV. But there is no guidance as to which one should be used.
I've downloaded video podcasts that use either/or. Can someone provide guidance on the differences between using the various file-formats and the benefits of one over the other?
thanks
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I think here is HUGE confusion between .mp4 and .m4v
I've noticed that, depending on which conversion tool I use (mostly Visual Hub and QT pro), that they generate 2 different file types of files under the heading "KIND", one being a Mpeg-4 "Movie file" and the other Mpeg-4 "Video file".
And don't forget the "protected videos" they have the designation .m4p
This is seriously confusing. Some .avi's, .wmv's and other video formats when converting them to .mp4 will not work on the iPod Video, but they will work within iTunes. So one gets this "SYNC ERROR" that the file type can't be played on the Video iPod... even though it's a .mp4
I'm thinking that all this stems from Apple's database restrictions within iTunes. That is, how it separates the "TV SHOWS", "MOVIES" and"VIDEOS" into preexisting folders of the same name in source pane in iTune.
Though they give one a choice of selecting the designation "MUSIC VIDEO" within the "GET INFO" contextual menu.. it doesn't allow auto separation into this category in the source pane because there is no "MUSIC VIDEO" folder as there is a folder for "TV SHOWS", "VIDEOS" and "MOVIES.... and having such a folder would be nice and make sense...but it is missing.
Of course one can just make a folder and put all music videos into it... but it still doesn't answer the reason or justification of giving the user a choice of designating a video being "MUSIC VIDEO" Why? Because once one chooses that designation it results in: nothing.
What I think is needed is a a fix in iTunes to include a preexisting folder named "MUSIC VIDEOS" so that when one designates a file to be that type, it automatically goes in the preexisting folder. Again, this can be done using a Smart Folder... but the point is.. it doesn't make sense where the other 3 designations (TV shows, Video and Movie) are there (defaultwise) and MUSIC VIDEO" (the 4th choice) is note.
Music videos really don't belong in the Music section and they don't belong in the video section. It is a category unto it's own.
Lastly.. there should be a simple chart (maybe there is on wikipedia) of what file types will run 1. in iTunes, 2. on iPod Video and 3. Apple TV

ITunes 11 deletes newly added m4v and mp4 video files!

I'm really loathing the new iTunes for a number of reasons.. but this one really takes the cake!
When I try to add an M4V or MP4 video file, iTunes deletes the file and does not add it to the library!
I never had any issues with 10.7.. and seeing as there is no way of reverting back that I can find.. any help in how to solve this... or is this one of those wonder new "feature's" I now have to contend with?
Thanks

Are you frustrated that whether you drag and drop your video files to iTunes 11, or add video files from “Add files to Libray” or “Add folder to Libray”, nothing is imported even though the files are in iTunes 11 supported MP4, MOV or M4V video format.
If iTunes 11 won’t import MP4, MOV or M4V, first make sure your install QuickTime Player. Even though you hire VLC or Perian or any other media player to take care of your video playback instead of QuickTime, you still need to install QuickTime in order to add video to iTunes 11 for transfer to iPad, iPod, iPhone or Apple TV.
f you install QuickTime player but still can’t add MP4, MOV, M4V to iTunes 11, there is no other solution but to convert MP4, MOV, M4V to iTunes 11 supported video MP4.
Visit the Step-by-Step Guide on how to successfully import all kinds of MP4, MOV, M4V to iTunes 11
The guide also applies to import AVI, WMV, MKV, etc to iTunes 11.

Encoding/windows issue .m4v versus .mp4

I like the results of encoding with h.264, but I now have a new problem. About half of my windows users cannot see the videos or have to go to through inconvenient steps to see the video postings at http://kitesites.libsyn.com.
The first posting (Lucky Peak--Chapter 1) was encoded mp4 and no problems reported (although the video was a little grainy). The second posting (Lucky Peak--Chapter 2) was encoded with the ipod preset (.m4v) in compressor and created problems for some windows users.
I read this (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=972202&tstart=15) forum that says .mp4 and .m4v are "exactly the same" - the only difference is that one opens itunes and one opens quicktime. Therefore, could I use the h.264 encoding and just change the suffix? Would that solve my windows problem?
J
www.kitesites.com

An MP4 file is a container, like an AVI or MOV. What you choose to put in that container can be varied.
MP4 is kind of the official extension. Other extensions are used to kind of differentiate common usage.
MPEG-4 is a video/audio compression "standard" that has many parts, which are essentially more standards (many of them still evolving).
Because of this there can often be compatibility problems.
MPEG-4 Simple Profile encoded video is pretty compatible across platforms and players. H.264 encoded video would require a more up to date Quicktime player or other such player that can understand the h.264 codec. There are also derivatives like Divx and 3ivx which are not supported by Quicktime and also require a user to have the proper codecs installed in order to play the file.
According to the iTunes Podcast Tech spec
http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/podcaststechspecs.html#_Toc526939999a
these are the video encoding specs that the iPod supports:
* H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Low-Complexity version of the Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
* H.264 video, up to 768 kbps, 320 x 240, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
* MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
The iPod is your lowest common denominator for iTunes.
MPEG-4 simple is probably your most compatible. Find a sweet spot within the limits that balances quality and compression (file size). The higher your bitrate (less compression) the better the quality but the larger the file size (which increases the download time and ***** up your bandwidth)
Keep in mind that iTunes is not the only name in town. There are also Windows Media based portable players and a whole host of podcast "podcatcher" applications and podcast directory services that exist. You could conceivable create an iTunes feed for the Mac folks and others that would prefer iTunes. And also create a separate WMV feed that would be in RSS 2.0 format using WMV files for enclosures. This would then be submitted to other podcast directories or users can subscribe with their podcatchers directly from your webpage.
Erik

HELP!! How can I change my project from m4v to mp4?

I have created and finalized a project and exported to video. I know it's in 1080 HD and it exported to an mv4 file medium quality. No problem, video looks great, but now I need to upload it as an mp4. I t exported my finalized project as Quicktime to mpeg-4 and the video is completely distorted and horrible quality. I am restricted to size so could only export it as mpeg "basic". Is there any other way?? I have read that I could just re-name the m4v file as an mp4 - does this really work? Or do I have to use software to do this?

tjc73 wrote:
I have read that I could just re-name the m4v file as an mp4 - does this really work? Or do I have to use software to do this?
I just tested this on an m4v file - from a project that I had initally created in iMovie and exported as Large (960 x 540). I changed the extension to mp4 and it played perfectly. It was identical in quality, format (H.264) and size to the m4v file.
In Finder, I clicked on each file to check the file info and also right-clicked and selected Get Info. The m4v file showed "Apple MPEG-4 movie". The mp4 file simply showed "MPEG-4 movie".
So, it appears that no conversion is necessary.
I've previously changed the extension on m4v files to .mov - these also played perfectly. My reason for doing so, was to enable Chapters (or was it fast forwarding?) on my Western Digital Media Player. Originally, the player didn't support the particular feature when playing back m4v files. But this has now been fixed with a firmware update, so all is well and there is now no need for me to change the extension.
John

.m4v to .mp4

I need to convert the movies I just bought to mp4 or maybe .avi for use on an external hard drive I hook up to my tv, I have already tried converting the mv4 to mp4 by changing the file type but that didn't work.

Liammcd1 wrote:
I need to convert the movies I just bought
In addition to being illegal, you cannot.

Converting m4v to mp4

I have a 1st generation iPod nano. I know it does not support video. I would like to listen to my video on my iPod. is there any way to convert from a m4v to m4p? Or some other way to be able to listen to my video?

I am having a similar issue, except I have tried using handbrake. Sometimes it works, mostly with SD content, but when I try to convert HD content using either the Apple tv, Apple tv legacy, apple universal, Normal or high profile the audio ends up sounding like when you play a record backwards, and the time on the track is over 3x or 4x the original files length. Also sometimes when HB works on the "appletv settings its supposed to be able to be viewed on a 3gs which is not the case. This appletv is becoming a bigger pain in the behind than I was anticipating. When trying to convert the HD files in itunes it takes about 5 minutes and all there is a white screen. QT will start to convert then either "time out" or an OSS38 failure. Seriously considering a used intel mini and running plex off it.

HTML5 .mp4 vs. .m4v

Hello,
I'm currently trying to embed videos into my website to be seen on the iPad and the iPhone/iPod Touch as well.
When I use QuickTime or iMovie to export videos they mostly turn out to have a .m4v extension which as far as I know is an Apple specific extension for the .mp4 format
My question is whether embedding .m4v instead of .mp4 will cause any troubles the day Firefox will add support for .mp4 or not. Will Firefox simply play .m4v files as .mp4 even on Windows machines? Do I have to change the extension .m4v to .mp4 once exported? Would that work?
Thanks in advance!

Here are some sample pages that uses HTML5 Video :
All play fine with Safari, Firefox and Safari on a Mac. Flock and MSIE use the Flash Video player.
With the exception of the zencoder video page all play on a iPad. Have to find a fix for it. I didn't test it on a Windows PC yet. Perhaps this afternoon.
I just completed the zencoder page a few minutes ago. It allows for full page video.
http://www.wyodor.net/_Demo/html5/HTML5Video.html
http://www.wyodor.net/Demo/html5/HTML5Zencoder.html
http://ipad.dailynews.webege.com/HTML5Video.html
And here's a page with the Sublime HTML 5 video. When you use [Webkit|http://webkit.org> and option-click the fullscreen icon the video plays full screen :
http://www.wyodor.net/_Movies/sublime/
A page by CamenDesign (the zencoder page is based on it) :
http://www.wyodor.net/_Movies/sublime/camendesign/
And my compact design :
http://www.wyodor.net/_Movies/sublime/camendesign/compact.html
All use .m4v, .mov and .ogg videos.
.m4v is NOT an Apple specific extension. It's an extention of h.264/aac video, just as .m4a is the audio extension.
Study the code to see how its done.
BTW, iWeb is just an excuse to demonstrate it.
Message was edited by: Wyodor

How do I convert a photo booth file to an AVI or MP4?

How do I convert a photo booth file to an AVI or MP4?
I tried exporting the file from Quick Time to my desktop, but the file extension reads as .m4v - is that compatible with other pc?

The M4V format is a video file format developed by Apple and is very close to the MP4 format. The differences are the optional Apple's DRM copyright protection, and the treatment of AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio which is not standardized for the MP4 container.
If your M4V video is not unprotected M4V files and without AC3 audio. It may be recognized and played by other video players by changing the file extension from ".m4v" to "mp4".
So you can try to change the file extension and check if it works. If it doesn't work, try Leawo video converter(for windows or mac) and convert m4v to mp4 format.

What is a .m4v file and what plays it?

I downloaded some video podcasts from iTunes Store and they do everything I would imagine they should, EXCEPT play through the Apple TV! They show up under "Podcasts" on the TV but when selected the Apple logo comes on the screen for a few seconds and then the system reverts back to the menu. When I go to Music > iTunes Music > Podcasts they are all there and have the .m4v, not .mp4, designation. I can use QT to convert, but... what gives here?

WC: Here's what the inspector says:
Source: /Users/Lancaster/Music/iTues/iTunes Music/Podcasts/The NewYorker Festival video/Steve Martin.m4v
Format: H.264 Decoder, 640 x 480 Millions, AAC, Stereo (L R), 48,000 kHz
FPS: 30
Playing FPS: (Available while Playing)
Data Size: 549.88 MB
Data Rate: 914.99 kbits/s
Current Time: 0:00:00:00:00
Duration: 0:01:22:49.20
Normal Size: 640 x 480 pixels
Current Size: 640 x 480 pixels (actual)
Appreciate your assistance. I would think this should play uneventfully, no?
LL

How to have the m4v chapters back?

Hello,
iTunes is a great app. I have been using it for some years, but since some updates ago chapters are no long available for .m4v or .mp4 files. Now I am unable to point a specific chapter inside the .m4v or .mp4 file, or chapter names are misspelled.
Chapters are shown correctly for iTunes on Leopard (not Snow Leopard), but it does not work for iTunes on Lion or Windows.
Chapters appear using QuickTime, but we can not see the actual names. I wold like to see them on iTunes.
Recordings download from:
http://www.jw.org/index.html?option=QrYQFVTrlVlYR&selLang=LSB
Does someone know what to do? Or may it be a bug? Thanks!

It seems to be a bug.
Suggestions here -> http://www.apple.com/feedback/

How to Transfer Purchased iTunes M4V Movies to Blackberry Playbook on Mac OS X

This is a simple tutorial to put purchased iTunes m4v movies to BB Playbook on Mac OS:
First of all, you should know what video formats Blackberry Playbook supports, the current Blackberry Playbook will support: H.264, MPEG4, WMV, DivX. So to watch the iTunes m4v movies on Blackberry Playbook, you should switch M4V to MP4 format supported by Playbook, to convert m4v to mp4, you will need a powerful converter, Noteburner m4v converter for Mac is recommended.
Step by Step tutorial to convert iTunes M4V movie to MP4 for Playbook on Mac os
Here below is a step by step tutorial to help you transfer iTunes movies to Blackberry Playbook with the Noteburner m4v to mp4 converter for Mac.
Step 1. Download iTunes m4v to mp4 Converter for Mac on Noteburner official website and install it for free.
Step 2. Select M4V movies and add to Noteburner iTunes Video Converter
Click the Add button in the top-left to add the purchased iTunes m4v. The software will open the iTunes movies library by default. Select the files and then click OK.
Here you can select the m4v movies and add to the playlist to convert. It's easy and speedy.
Step 3. Set output path and output format
Click Output dropdown list, you can customize the output path as MP4 for Playbook. If you don't set to customize the output path, the output files will be saved in the default folder
Click Profile dropdown list, you can customize the output formats for your target video format - MP4.
Step 4. Click "Convert" button to start to convert M4V videos with Noteburner M4V iTunes Video Converter for Mac
Step 5. Downloading the converted iTunes movie to Blackberry Playbook without any restrictions.
After Noteburner finishing the iTunes movie converting, you can go to the output folder to download the converted iTunes m4v movies to Playbook by connecting Playbook with your Mac via a USB without any restrictions.
Just try it, it's easy-to-use.
For a Windows user, you can also refer to Windows m4v converter.
Never,never,never give up!

if you want to decode DRM, you simply need to have the "closed keys" to decode them, and the legal right to do it.
For the legal right, it's just a matter of signing a contract with the DRM maker (for example the iPod division has those keys made by the iTunes division).
For the getting the closed keys, it is always possible, but can lead to difficulties in your personal life. look for DeCSS on Wikipedia to understand.
The search box on top-right of this page is your true friend, and the public Knowledge Base too:

How do I convert a shockwave object file into a mp4 or avi video?

How do I convert a shockwave object file into a mp4 or avi video? Do you know of any software that converts that type of file?

The M4V format is a video file format developed by Apple and is very close to the MP4 format. The differences are the optional Apple's DRM copyright protection, and the treatment of AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio which is not standardized for the MP4 container.
If your M4V video is not unprotected M4V files and without AC3 audio. It may be recognized and played by other video players by changing the file extension from ".m4v" to "mp4".
So you can try to change the file extension and check if it works. If it doesn't work, try Leawo video converter(for windows or mac) and convert m4v to mp4 format.

Imovie exported to mp4 choppy audio on PC QuickTime player

When I created a mp4 file from imovie, my client with a PC who has a QuickTime player hears choppy audio. It won't even open in his Windows Media Player bc of Codec issues. Then QuickTime plays it but audio is all choppy. It plays fine on my Apple. What am I doing wrong? If I create a QuickTime file, which I'm doing now, is there a special audio setting I should change so this will work on a PC?
Thanks!

When you export out of iMovie are you doing it using Share> Export QuickTime file or Export Movie? Believe it or not, you can export to Movie and rename the file extension from .m4v to .mp4 and get that to play on any Windows machine with Windows Media Player installed. It maybe a simple matter of saving it out to Movie, renaming it and sending that one along to the client, see if that one works better.

M4V vs. MP4 ?

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