How to Play and Convert M4V Effortlessly?
22 May 2024 Senior Product Manager
Summary
How to play and convert m4v? Learn about the M4V video format, conversion options, and video file editing.
M4V files are a video format based on MPEG-4 encoding, developed by Apple Inc. They are primarily used for videos downloaded from the Apple iTunes store, including TV episodes, music videos, and movies. Similar to the MP4 format, M4V files can incorporate Apple’s FairPlay DRM to protect copyright, preventing playback or copying on non-Apple devices.
The Difference Between M4V and MP4
M4V and MP4 are multimedia containers that can store multiple data types, but there are some differences between them.
The main differences are:
- Encoding: M4V files always use the H.264 codec, while MP4 files can hold MPEG-4, HEVC, or H.264. This means that although video quality is similar, M4V files tend to be larger.
- Compatibility: Unlike MP4 files, which lack DRM (Digital Rights Management) and can run on any device, including Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, Android devices, game consoles, etc., M4V files are more limited. They are typically available only on Apple devices and open by default in iTunes or QuickTime Player.
- Popularity: MP4 is universally supported and widely used, while M4V, though popular, cannot match MP4′s widespread usage.
To open M4V files, you need a professional multimedia player. If the M4V file is protected by FairPlay DRM, you must have iTunes installed and use the Apple ID that purchased or rented the video. For unprotected M4V files, simply double-click the video to open it with the default player or any other multimedia player.
| Programs that can open M4V files | |
|---|---|
| Windows | Microsoft Windows Media Player |
| itunes | |
| Corel VideoStudio 2020 | |
| VideoLAN VLC Media Player | |
| Nullsoft Winamp | |
| Mac | itunes |
| QuickTime Player | |
| Eltima Elmedia Player | |
| VideoLAN VLC Media Player | |
| Linux | VideoLAN VLC Media Player |
Through the above introduction, I believe you already have a certain understanding of the M4V video format, then enter the focus of this article, we will tell you how to convert M4V to MP4 format.
Renee Video Editor Pro is a comprehensive video editing software that integrates video editing, screen recording, and format conversion. It supports batch conversion of video files and all mainstream video and audio formats such as M4V, MP4, AVI, RMVB, MP3, AAC, and FLV, allowing mutual conversion between them. Users can freely choose editing tools like cutting, cropping, adding background music, subtitles, and special effects. The interface is simple, making it easy for novices to quickly get started. Renee Video Editor Pro supports 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems.
Renee Video Editor Pro– Professional Video and Audio Converter
Convert formats Supports batch conversion of all formats, such as MP4, MP3, WAV, WMV, RMVB, etc.
Customize the settings Frequency, High Bit Rate, Block Video/Audio Channel, etc.
Easy to use Just 3 simple steps to complete the conversion quickly.
Multifunction Edit the video et record the screen.
Free to try Free (non commercial use only).
Convert formats Supports batch conversion of all formats, such as MP4, MP3, WAV, WMV, RMVB, etc.
Customize the settings Frequency, High Bit Rate, Block Video/Audio Channel, etc.
Easy to use Just 3 simple steps to complete the conversion quickly.
① Open Renee Video Editor Pro and select (Video Toolbox).
② Click (Add Files) to import the M4V video file to be converted.
③ Select the video file format in the Output Format column (e.g., MP4). The software supports all common formats. Choose the output file location in the Output Folder, where the converted video will be saved. Click the Start button to complete the conversion.
VLC Media Player, a popular third-party media player, can play various media files and discs and convert video/audio formats. It supports multiple video files, meeting most users’ needs despite limited format options.
① Download and open the VLC software, click (Media) > (Convert/Save) in the menu bar.
② Click (Add) in the new window to select the M4V file to be converted, and after completing the selection, click (Convert/Save) below.
③ Finally, in the “Configuration File” option, select the video format to be converted (for example Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)), and in the “Target File”, select the save location, and finally, click (Start).
Besides using video conversion software to convert M4V files, you can also try an M4V online conversion tool. Although its functionality is simpler, it is user-friendly and requires no software download, saving time. However, it may not match professional software in conversion speed and quality.
Limitations of M4V Online Conversion Tools:
- Only non-DRM-protected M4V files can be converted.
- File size limitations may prevent uploading and conversion of larger files.
- Typically offer only simple conversion functions, lacking editing and batch conversion capabilities.
- Output quality is often mediocre, with no option to choose video quality.
- Upload and conversion speed depends on network connection; slow networks result in long wait times.
Cloud Convert is a versatile, free tool that quickly converts M4V to MP4, AVI, FLV, MP3, M4A, and other formats. Supporting over 200 formats, it also allows editing of audio and video codecs, aspect ratios, resolutions, and more. Additionally, it offers basic video editing features, making it an excellent choice for online video format conversion.
Online conversion link: https://cloudconvert.com/m4v-to-mp4
① Open the Cloud Convert link in your browser, click Select File to upload the M4V video. You can also add M4V videos from URL, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. The tool supports batch conversion, allowing multiple uploads simultaneously.
② After uploading, choose the video format to convert. Click the settings icon to adjust video parameters as needed. Finally, click Convert to start the conversion, and Download to save it to your computer once complete.
ACONVERT.COM is a user-friendly online tool for quickly converting M4V to AVI, MPG, MKV, VOB, or GIF formats. It also supports converting PDFs, documents, e-books, images, audio, and compressed files.
Online conversion link: https://www.aconvert.com/video/
① Open the conversion link of ACONVERT.COM in the browser and enter the video format conversion page.
② On the “Convert Video Files Online” interface, click “Choose Files” to upload the M4V files. Choose the target video format in “Target Format”. To modify video parameters or edit the video, use “Options” to change the size, bit rate, or frame rate, and perform simple editing. Finally, click “Convert Now!”, wait for the conversion to complete, and download the file.
In addition to converting M4V videos, use Renee Video Editor Pro for editing. The software offers various video editing functions, meeting most users’ needs with a simple interface ideal for novices. With Renee Video Editor Pro, you can edit or merge clips, crop, rotate, flip videos, and add effects, transitions, and subtitles.
1. Cut video files
If you have dissatisfied fragments in the M4V video file, you can use the “cut function” in Renee Video Editor Pro to remove them.
① Download and install Renee Video Editor Pro, then open the software and select (Video Toolbox).
② After entering the video editing interface, click (Add Files) to import the M4V video.
③ Click (Cut) to enter the cut page, where you can manually drag the slider to set the start and end time of the video. After setting, click (OK) > (Start) to export it.
2. Merge video files
With Renee Video Editor Pro, you can also quickly merge multiple video files, and it supports merging with other different formats.
① Download and install Renee Video Editor Pro, then open the software and select (Video Toolbox).
② After entering the video editing interface, click (Add Files) to import the M4V files (or video files in other formats) to be merged. Then check the (Merge all files into one) option to merge all imported files into one file.
Optional operation: You can also add some transition effects between the merged videos, click the (+) sign in the “No Transition” after the video, and choose to add your favorite transition effects.
③ After completing the above operations, select the required file format in the output format column, and then click the (Start) button to save.
3. Crop/flip/rotate video files
① Open the software, and click (Video Toolbox) > (Add Files) to import M4V video files.
② Click Rotate and Crop. On the next page, you can select rotate 90 degrees to the right, mirror left and right, or mirror up and down. You can also manually adjust the video cropping area size.
4. Add video effects
① Download and open Renee Video Editor Pro, and select (Video Toolbox).
② After entering the video editing interface, click (Add Files) to import M4V video files.
③ Click (Effects), and at the bottom of the video preview window, you can select (Add Filter Effects), (Add Zoom Effects), and (Add Volume Effects) to edit accordingly.
5. Add video watermark
Sometimes in order to prevent the video from being stolen or altered, we need to add our own exclusive watermark to the video.
① Download and open Renee Video Editor Pro, and select (Video Toolbox).
② After entering the video editing interface, click (Add Files) to import M4V video files.
③ After entering the (Watermark) editing page, you can choose (Add Text Watermark), (Add Image Watermark), (Add Video Watermark), (Add Graphic Watermark), or (Remove Watermark).
6. Add background music to video
In video production, we often add background music to the video, which can better enhance the atmosphere.
① Download and open Renee Video Editor Pro, and select (Video Toolbox).
② After entering the video editing interface, click (Add Files) to import M4V video files.
③ Click Music. In the editing interface, choose Add Audio to Video, Add Sound to Video, or Reset. You can add music files, dub the video, or check Remove original video audio to eliminate the original sound.
7. Add subtitles to the video
① Download and open Renee Video Editor Pro, and select (Video Toolbox).
② After entering the video editing interface, click (Add Files) to import M4V video files.
③ Click (Subtitle), select the position of the subtitle, and then click the (+) button in the lower left corner to select (Load Subtitle File) or (Create Subtitle File).
④ If you choose (Create subtitle file), you can edit the subtitle in the pop-up “Notepad”. Just click on the corresponding subtitles. After adding subtitles, you can choose the appropriate subtitle color, font, and effect.
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