Video Converter: Convert Video File to MP4

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Video Converter: Convert Video File to MP4

28 March 2019 Jennifer Thatcher Technology Manager of Test Dept.

Last update by William Davis at 9 November 2026

Summary
FLV, WMV, MOV, AVI, all these are video formats. How to select the format when we are editing the video? How to realize inter-conversion between MP4 and the other video formats?

Content

Part 1. Common Video Formats

Part 2. Video Converter: How to Convert Video Files to MP4

Method 1: FFmpeg
Method 2: Renee Video Editor Pro

Part 1. Common Video Formats

Simply speaking, video format is the file container of videos and audios. You may want to share the edited video online or with your friends. At that time, you need to select a format based on the format features and your own needs.

Here are 5 common video formats and their features:

1. Flash video format (.flv)

Since the flash player can be used across platforms, it is available in almost every web browsers, and FLV spreads wider as YouTube is becoming popular. Now, HTML5 is emerging in streaming media, but Flash still has high applicability.

2. AVI video format (.avi)

AVI, introduced by Microsoft, is the standard video format in Windows, available in most of Windows PCs. If you want to play an AVI video in other systems, the embedded video codec should support the format. In addition, AVI is supported by many video websites, such as YouTube and Google Video.

3. WMV video format (.wmv)

WMV, developed by Microsoft too, is specific for web streaming media. It is very convenient to spread online because of its small size. WMV video can play in Windows PCs while it needs the specific codec if you want to play it in other systems.

4. Apple QuickTime video format (.mov)

The file extension of Apple QuickTime is .mov. The format contains video, audio, time code and text and store different types of media. Developed by Apple Inc., the MOV format can be played in Mac, iPhone and iPad. It can also played in Windows PCs.

5. MP4 video format (.mp4)

MP4 is a open multimedia container to store audios and videos, suitable to read almost all media structures. MP4 has been widely used to package h.264 videos and AAC audios. It can save high-quality video in a smaller file size. The high compatibility also allows it to play in PCs, iPod, PSP and mobile phones.

Therefore, you should select the video format accepted by more platforms and more media players when you want to save and share the video.

Applicability of common formats in different devices:

Video format	Windows system	Mac system	Android	iPhone
FLV	×	×	×	×
AVI	√	×	×	×
WMV	√	×	×	×
MOV	√	√	×	√
MP4	√	√	√	√

The above comparison figure out that MP4 is supported by more platforms and devices. So it is better to convert the video file to MP4 if it can not be played in other formats on target device.

Part 2. Video Converter: How to Convert Video File to MP4

FFmpeg and Renee Video Editor Pro can realize the inter-conversion between MP4 and other video formats.

Method 1: FFmpeg

FFmpeg is an open-source software for video editing. You can edit, cut and merge the video though command lines. If you don’t understand command lines well, please view Method 2.

Take WMV video as an example:

Step 1. Download and install FFmpeg. If you don’t know, click here for more.

Step 2. Press [Win + R] to open the Run window. Input [cmd]. Click [OK].

Step 3. In the command prompt, input [C:WindowsSystem32ffmpeg.exe –i D:0001.wmv D:MP4001.mp4], then press the Enter key to convert the file to MP4.

finish converting mov to mpe by movie converter ffmpeg

Tips [C:WindowsSystem32ffmpeg.exe]: the position of ffmpeg.exe;
[D:0001.wmv]: the position and the file name of the video file you want to convert;
[D:MP4001.mp4]: the output position, the file name and format of the target video file.
In this example, the video is named as “MP4” after the conversion. You can set the other names by yourself.

Method 2: Renee Video Editor Pro

Renee Video Editor Pro is the multifunctional and user-friendly video converter to almost all video formats, including MP4.

Tips Renee Video Editor Pro can help you edit videos in many aspects, such as adding special effect, cutting, merge, removing watermarks, adding logos and subtitles. What’s more, it can realize automatic re-encoding and ensure audio and video synchronization, but not slow down the playback speed.

Step 1. First, download and install Renee Video Editor Pro. Then Open and click [Video Toolbox].

click video toolbox in renee video editor pro

Step 2. Click [Add Files] to select the target video.

Step 3. Select [MP4] in [Output Format] and the saving position in [Output Folder]. Finally, click [Start] to covert the file. The file will be saved automatically as it is finished.

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Part 1. Common Video Formats

Part 2. Video Converter: How to Convert Video File to MP4

Method 1: FFmpeg

Method 2: Renee Video Editor Pro

Relate Links :

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