How to Convert MOV to MP4 on Mac Free with ffmpeg

If you have got a video file in MOV format, it’s possible you’ll want to convert the MOV video to MP4 format as an alternative. While there are a number of strategies for changing MOV to MP4, the method we’re going to deal with right here is by utilizing the command line, with a brilliant straightforward to make use of and free instrument referred to as ffmpeg.

Why would you wish to convert MOV to MP4?

Typically Mac customers may wish to convert MOV to MP4 for sharing and basic compatibility causes, since MP4 is a more broadly supported video format, notably if you would like the video to be suitable throughout numerous platforms and video participant apps.

And usually, you will get higher compression out of an MP4 file, making for a smaller file dimension too.

Is changing a MOV file to MP4 format with ffmpeg tough?

No. But, as a result of ffmpeg is used on the command line, it’s barely more superior than using a GUI app.

If you’re comfy with the command line, the whole course of shall be acquainted and simple to you.

If you’re new to the command line, however comfy attempting, simply comply with alongside and also you’ll have your file transformed shortly.

How to Convert MOV to MP4 on Mac with ffmpeg

First, it is advisable have Homebrew put in in your Mac, which makes it straightforward to obtain and set up command line packages and apps. If you don’t have Homebrew but, set up that first.

1. Open the Terminal utility
2. From the command line, set up ffmpeg with the next brew command:

brew set up ffmpeg

3. Hit return and let ffmpeg set up on the Mac, which is able to seem like this because it proceeds:
4. When completed putting in, you’re prepared to make use of ffmpeg to begin changing the MOV file to MP4 format, using the next command format:

ffmpeg -i inputFile.mov OutputFile.mp4

5. Swap inputFile.mov and OutputFile.mp4 to your recordsdata and their paths, for instance for a file named “ConvertMe.mov” within the consumer Desktop folder, you might use the next, which might convert the MOV enter to an MP4 file named “ConvertedFile.mp4” in the identical listing:

ffmpeg -i ~/Desktop/ConvertMe.mov ~/Desktop/ConvertedFile.mp4

6. After the mov file conversion has completed, your mp4 video file is able to use, share, stream, or no matter your plan is for it

That’s it, your MOV video file is now an MP4 video file.

That’s about so simple as it will get, and it’s comparatively straightforward and easy, even for people who find themselves not specialists with the command line.

Can I transcode the MOV video to MP4 with a special video/audio codec?

ffmpeg is a really highly effective instrument that may allow you to convert and transcode movies and their audio using totally different codecs. You can specify codec with the -c flag with ffmpeg, like so this instance which specifies a codec for each video and audio:

ffmpeg -i enter.mov -c:v libx264 -c:a aac output.mp4

That instance -c flag used right here is damaged down as follows:

• -c:v libx264 means encode video with the H.264 video codec
• -c:a aac means encode the audio with AAC codec

ffmpeg is extremely highly effective with help for a lot of codecs, and different choices that could be useful or beneifical when changing video recordsdata from mov to mp4, or to and from every other format for that matter.

If you wish to study more about ffmpeg, discuss with the ffmpeg documentation right here.

Beyond the Mac, what about PC? Does ffmpeg work for changing MOV to MP4 on Windows PC and Linux too?

While we’re centered on the Mac right here, ffmpeg is on the market not just for MacOS, but in addition for Linux, and Windows WSL, so technically you don’t must comply with this information on a Mac. You can use the very same instrument for changing .mov to .mp4 from Windows, Linux, MacOS, and even a lot older variations of Mac OS X, in case you’re probably operating on an antiquated system.

If you’re on one other OS and using ffmpeg, merely skip the Homebrew part and set up it by your technique of alternative, relying in your working system. You can obtain ffmpeg as a prebuilt executable, binary, construct, or bundle from the undertaking homepage at ffmpeg.org.

Forget ffmpeg and the terminal, are there different methods to transform MOV to MP4 on a Mac?

If you need nothing to do with the command line and terminal, you can too convert MOV to MP4 with GUI apps, together with iMovie, VLC, and numerous third get together apps and instruments.

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What do you concentrate on using ffmpeg for changing mov video recordsdata to mp4 format? Are you conversant in ffmpeg? Do you utilize the command line for performing file conversions like this? Do you have got one other most popular app or technique for changing MOV to MP4 format on the Mac, or in any other case? Share with us your ideas within the feedback.