In case you are seeking to convert AVI to MP4, you’ve come to the precise place. Since AVI was not developed for Macs, it usually gained’t play with the built-in QuickTime participant, so that you may have to convert your video information. Plus, MP4 is a extra extensively used format, extra appropriate for streaming and smaller in dimension, so changing AVI to MP4 could be an excellent resolution to many hurdles with regards to video storing or sharing.
Let’s begin by taking a look at what the important thing variations are between these two codecs, then transfer to changing them (this doesn’t take quite a lot of time, we promise), and briefly see if there are any media gamers that may assist you to out for those who simply wish to play again your AVI file and that’s it.
What’s AVI and MP4, and what’s the distinction?
Each AVI and MP4 are video container codecs that may maintain audio and video data. AVI is an older format, launched again in 1992. MP4 first emerged nearly a decade later – in 2001, with an up to date model popping out in 2003.
Whereas AVI can be utilized to retailer lossless video in very top quality, the format has just a few downsides. Developed by Microsoft, it’s principally geared in direction of Home windows units and often wants a plugin or an appropriate participant to be performed on Macs or cell units. AVI file dimension tends to be fairly massive. Subtitles must be added as an SRT file.
MP4 is supported by a wider vary of cell and desktop units and, being a lossy format, permits for smaller video information whereas sustaining good high quality. MP4 will also be used to retailer subtitles and stills. This file format is extra generally used for streaming, in comparison with AVI.
Since each file sorts are containers, they depend on codecs to play again the video. AVI helps DivX and Xvid codecs, whereas MP4 – greater than ten.
Can QuickTime convert AVI to MP4?
In case you are questioning how one can convert AVI to MP4 with QuickTime, right here’s what we came upon.
QuickTime can open AVI information, in addition to export them as MP4, supplied they’re encoded with Movement JPEG video and PCM audio. In any other case, AVI could possibly be incompatible with QuickTime.
In case your QuickTime app works with AVI, right here’s how one can convert AVI to MP4:
- Open your AVI video in QuickTime
- Select File > Export
- From the Export checklist, select “Film to MPEG-4”
- Click on Save.
The easiest way to transform AVI to MP4 on Mac
Since AVI information might be fairly massive and gained’t at all times play in QuickTime, you may end up eager to convert an AVI video to MP4. And for those who have been considering what if I merely change .avi to .mp4 on my file, we’re means forward of you – tried that and it even “labored” because the file was displayed as an MP4 format video within the folder, but it surely didn’t assist with the playback, QuickTime nonetheless didn’t play the file, which means you truly have to do the work earlier than you harvest the fruit.
However don’t fear, like we stated, changing the file may be very simple.
Whereas one might go for a devoted AVI to MP4 converter for this event, we discover a common file converter app to be our go-to for issues like this, as the perfect AVI to MP4 converter for us is the one we are able to additionally use for a lot of different conversions.
Permute solely wants you to pull and drop the file you wish to convert onto it:
Choose the file format you wish to convert your file to within the high left nook of the app — in our case, it’s MP4 — and click on the play icon beneath the file to start out the conversion:
Your MP4 file will likely be saved to the identical folder the place your authentic was saved. That is the default setting, however you’re free to alter it in settings both to a folder of your liking or to ask you each time.
Tip: If you happen to ever want to save lots of a video from the web, be sure to have Pulltube in your Mac. Whereas it’s obtainable with Permute as a part of a single Setapp subscription, we suggest that you simply set up it straight away. Pulltube can be helpful if you want to do some post-processing, resembling trimming your video or extracting sound from it.
Free third-party instruments to transform video
Though we suggest being very cautious with importing your movies to free providers to be able to convert them, we perceive that some folks may want to make use of this feature. If you happen to determine to depend on such instruments, listed here are a pair we advise:
iMovie
This free video editor for Mac helps you to do some primary video trimming, compression, and conversion. Nonetheless, iMovie can solely convert AVI to MP4 if the file is appropriate with QuickTime. Right here’s how:
- Drag your video to iMovie and ensure it’s totally edited
- Click on Share within the higher menu
- Click on Export utilizing QuickTime > Export
- Change the format to “Film to MPEG-4”
- Title your file and choose vacation spot
- Export.
HandBrake
HandBrake is free open-source software program with a bit clunky interface however highly effective file conversion capabilities. Its main superpower is the number of file codecs it might work with, which, after all, consists of AVI.
Movavi
You may as well strive changing your AVI video to MP4 with Movavi, a video suite for Mac. Movavi’s finest options are paid, however the free model helps some primary conversion and compression duties.
We actually don’t suggest utilizing unknown on-line providers to transform AVI to MP4, since they’ll trick you into putting in malicious software program or revealing delicate data.
The way to play AVI and MP4 information on a Mac
So wanting changing information to MOV or MP4, we needed to search for an alternate participant for our AVI information.
Our selection ended up being between Elmedia Participant and Movist Professional.
Each have nice minimalist interfaces that disappear just a few seconds into the video to make for an immersive viewing expertise.
The playback is easy and seamless as each gamers assist top quality video. Moreover, each work with subtitles and are appropriate with a number of video file codecs.
Any variations between the 2 are fairly refined. They’re even virtually the identical dimension – 130 and 140 MB.
Because the satan is often within the particulars, you’ll need to discover every of the gamers to see which fits your particular person preferences and makes use of most. We discovered that Movist Professional has a superb characteristic of enjoying two subtitle tracks directly (useful in case you are watching with a bunch of people that choose totally different subtitle languages or simply wish to buff up your individual language abilities), whereas Elmedia Participant additionally has a built-in internet browser geared particularly for video consumption.
Seize trusted video instruments on Setapp
As you may see, you may simply convert AVI information to MP4 with a common file converter (as you will have observed within the explainer above, we used Permute for this demo). The conversion solely takes a minute, and you’re able to go. That stated, in case your solely purpose is to have an AVI file to play in your Mac, you need to use media gamers to play your AVI very simply.
As an alternative of changing each AVI to MP4, we choose simply enjoying them with Elmedia Participant or Movist Professional. Each are wonderful media gamers with assist for a number of file codecs and top quality playback.
In case you are seeking to strive the apps talked about within the article, you may truly use them along with your Setapp subscription. Don’t have Setapp? Setapp is a set of greater than 240 apps, hand-picked by our staff to make your work, leisure, and chores seamless and straightforward. Browse our app classes and check out new options to see which match along with your day by day routine finest and contribute to optimizing your day.
You may as well strive all three apps talked about within the article – Permute, Pulltube, Elmedia Participant, and Movist Professional – along with your Setapp 7-day free trial.
