Confusion: M4V vs. MP4??

[toddngina]

I've started ripping some DVDs using Handbrake for Windows, ATV preset. I notice that when I pick a destination file for the output, it wants to default to the .mp4 format. When I try to play back the encoded file, Quicktime gives me an error. If I rename the file and change the extension to .m4v, as some of the other files are, then it warns me that changing it could cause problems, but the file then plays fine in quicktime/iTunes. What gives? What's the difference between and MP4 and an m4v?
Thanks.

[spice weasel]

Both are mp4 files. But m4v files open in iTunes by default. You should be able to change the file extension back and forth between each with no problems. I'm not sure why mp4's are giving you an error in QT.

[dynaflash]

The appleTV needs the .m4v file extension to know how to deal with the AC3 in the mp4 container. Thats why the appleTV preset changes it in the destination field.

There is also a pref in the macgui to use .m4v for all mp4 files by default.

[spice weasel]

Originally Posted by dynaflash

The appleTV needs the .m4v file extension to know how to deal with the AC3 in the mp4 container. Thats why the appleTV preset changes it in the destination field.

Really? Wow, didn't know that. I'll be sure to keep all my files as m4v's then. Thanks.

[Koola]

The private stream (DD5.1) in a mp4 is not valid where as the m4v is.

http://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4726

[nojokejones]

if you change the extension of a file containing a3c audio from m4v to mp4, you won't be able to play in on a iphone or ipod.

[jfgrissom]

I just love this site for stuff like this...

m4v is the way to go... (at least for me).

For some reason I couldn't import my home videos into iMovie. So I ended up with a bunch of .MTS files and needed to convert them into something that I could use on my Mac to edit our vacation (The wife and I went to Tahiti / Moorea & Bora Bora. Friggin amazing place!).

I noticed that Handbrake defaulted to m4v when converting these using the Normal "Presets". So I wondered about about it and Voila, the answer is here on MacRumors!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who contributed to this, because this answer is better than what I had hoped to find...

Big Thanks!

[Macant]

Sorry little slow in the head here. So if im not using an Apple TV I should leave my Handbrake files as mp4's?

I have been watching them on a WD box. Link to cnet review

It would be nice to put some on my iPhone so the kids could watch them while we are out. Keep em peaceful in the restraunt. So which is better then mp4 or m4v?

[pagansoul]

I find that M4V does an automatic download into iTunes while MP4 I can view in Quicktime without the iTunes download. I tend to feed MP4 via the option key to iTunes but keep the file on an external HD.

[Krevnik]

There isn't any real difference, other than the file extension. Apple uses m4v to flag it as a video file and attach it to iTunes. An m4v is more likely to have video ID3 style tags embedded. But in the long run, an mp4, m4a and m4v are all variations of the exact same file type.

[Macant]

So in the end it doesn't matter. I can still put these videos on my iPhone and watch them on my WD box. Cool thanks I will stick with Handbrake then. I was half tempted to get Ripit since its 50% today.

[omyard]

m4v allows you to store chapter information and mp4 doesn't, IIRC.

Not a big deal, but something to take into account.

[kingtj]

I use the "Plex" media center app on one of my Macs, and if my movie files aren't named with .mp4 extension (vs .m4v), it won't even index them or play them. (I sure wish it did though, because keeping my whole library in .m4v format would allow me to use the same folder of files for iTunes as Plex used.)

[biallystock]

I prefer .mov because I hate large video files opening in iTunes and getting duplicated.

In fact I hate almost anything opening in iTunes which is in my view an horrendous piece of disorganised bloatware with poorly slapped together UI. That is virtually the only thing I agree with PC users and I fully understand their avoid at all costs mantra.

[slothrob]

Originally Posted by biallystock

I prefer .mov because I hate large video files opening in iTunes and getting duplicated.

Any powerful piece of software has a learning curve, unfortunately.

What you are looking for is in the iTunes menubar>itunes>preferences>advanced>uncheck "copy files to itunes folder..."

[ragu]

Originally Posted by nojokejones

if you change the extension of a file containing a3c audio from m4v to mp4, you won't be able to play in on a iphone or ipod.

But I believe you can use Mp4 format for playback on all new TV's from a file server connected to TV

[kingtj]

Alternately, learn to change your workflow a bit, as I've done and been quite happy with ever since. EG. Make sure "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" is check-marked, but ALSO make sure "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" is check-marked.

Then, just plan on iTunes being your central destination for your music and movie content, and get in the habit of dragging new items into it to be auto-added and placed in appropriate sub-folders in the folder structure it keeps organized neatly for you under the "iTunes media" folder. Delete the original copy of the file once iTunes has added it.

Other software will usually co-exist pretty nicely with the iTunes folder structure too. Just configure other media players to pull from the appropriate sub-folder under "iTunes media" as needed.

Originally Posted by slothrob

Any powerful piece of software has a learning curve, unfortunately.

What you are looking for is in the iTunes menubar>itunes>preferences>advanced>uncheck "copy files to itunes folder..."

[slothrob]

Originally Posted by kingtj

Alternately, learn to change your workflow a bit, as I've done and been quite happy with ever since. EG. Make sure "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" is check-marked, but ALSO make sure "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" is check-marked.

Then, just plan on iTunes being your central destination for your music and movie content, and get in the habit of dragging new items into it to be auto-added and placed in appropriate sub-folders in the folder structure it keeps organized neatly for you under the "iTunes media" folder. Delete the original copy of the file once iTunes has added it.

Which is what I do, actually, except that I send the files directly to the Automatically Add To iTunes folder, so that I don't even need to delete the original file, iTunes just neatly files it away for me.

Like any program, it is not perfect, but it is very good at doing so much of what you need a media database to do.