How to convert a .m4v video/audio file to .mp4 on Windows 7?

Does Windows- 7 already have something that would convert .m4v to .mp4?

If not, how would I do that?

Doug Null

Posted 2014-07-05T14:00:36.753

Reputation: 488

Answers

In most cases, it's easy enough to just rename your file from .m4v to .mp4. There is no conversion needed.

Both .m4v and .mp4 can be used as extensions for the MPEG-4 Part 14 container format. While .m4v isn't used that often, .m4a is common for audio-only files.

There are two cases in which renaming does not work:

Sometimes, .m4v is also used as an extension for raw MPEG-4 Part 2 video bitstreams. In this case, renaming is not possible. The file has to be multiplexed into an .mp4 container instead. This can be done, for example, with ffmpeg: ffmpeg -i input.m4v -c copy output.mp4
When they originate from iTunes, .m4v files may be protected by Apple's DRM. In this case, renaming to .mp4 is not possible, and you cannot convert the file itself either, as it is copyright-protected and can only be played with iTunes on the machine it was bought on.

In either case, it is not necessary to convert the file by re-encoding it. This would only deteriorate the video quality. It is certainly not necessary to buy some kind of video conversion software for this task either.

slhck

Posted 2014-07-05T14:00:36.753

Reputation: 182 472

Indeed. The “v” is for video. It’s basically information just for humans. There’s also m4a for audio. – Daniel B – 2014-07-05T14:16:58.680

2Yeah, typically you would name audio-only files .m4a. The iPhone uses .m4r for ringtones, for example. – slhck – 2014-07-05T14:17:41.177

I would add that extensions don't change the file, just how the computer decides to use it. – 287352 – 2014-07-05T17:26:04.927

Mostly not even that. Because the file name is not truly metadata, it cannot be relied on. Instead, the presence of well-known/well-formed data is tested. – Daniel B – 2014-07-05T18:29:22.323

For those looking for useful information: m4v and mp4 are not necessarily the same thing at all: an m4v file can be a pure data stream for burning directly to disc, without any metadata. In such cases, the file needs to be packed in an mp4 container before it can be played as file in a software video player. Even in 2016, this affects people why use, for instance, Adobe Media Encoder. – Mike 'Pomax' Kamermans – 2016-05-09T05:59:00.047

@Mike'Pomax'Kamermans Thanks, I know now what you mean, it may refer to MPEG-4 Part 2 video bitstream, which then has to be packed/multiplexed. I added this point to my answer. – slhck – 2016-05-10T11:34:38.363

-2

Leawo total media converter, or maybe AVS Video converter
They are both paid, but have free versions

Micheal K

Posted 2014-07-05T14:00:36.753

Reputation: 111

I downvoted because there is no need to convert anything in the file. In fact, using such a conversion tool you mention would only deteriorate the quality of the contained audio/video by re-encoding it. (Good example of generation loss)

– slhck – 2014-07-05T14:18:23.680

Very true, free trials usually have their limitations. But I do not appear to have a downvote.. ? – Micheal K – 2014-07-05T14:21:12.053

1That's not a matter of free trial vs. totally free or super expensive. You do not need a conversion program. Quite the contrary: you should avoid it, because they unnecessarily re-encode the audio and video parts (unless you know and find the option that does a stream copy, but not every tool has this). You received one upvoted, hence the 0 score. – slhck – 2014-07-05T14:22:23.163

2Ah, Thank-you sir. I have become so used to converting all my videos that I kind of jumped the gun. Learn something new everyday, I guess. – Micheal K – 2014-07-05T14:35:53.547

Downvoted because this doesn't actually explain why...with an explanation the OP would realise there is no need for an external program. – JB_STWUK – 2014-07-05T21:13:58.807

We appreciate your desire to help but as @slhck said in his answer, there is no conversion needed as the file format is the same across both extensions. I suggest you delete your answer since it doesn't add anything useful and only attracts downvotes. – None – 2014-07-05T23:35:57.560

-2

You can check this convertor out WinxHD, it's not free but you can easily work your way round and it facilitates m4v to mp4 or vice versa.

Hope I helped.

Enjoy :)

Naveen Niraula

Posted 2014-07-05T14:00:36.753

Reputation: 105

Can anyone tell me why is my answer downvoted!? – Naveen Niraula – 2015-04-17T11:33:03.097

There is no need to convert anything at all (see above answer), and even more so, it's not worth paying for video conversion tools either when there are free alternatives. – slhck – 2016-05-10T11:27:27.937