This article shows you how to convert a video file from MOV format to MP4 format. To do this, you can use a converter available directly online or download and install a special free software called Handbrake. Both options are available for Windows and Mac systems.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using CloudConvert
Step 1. Log in to the CloudConvert website
You can use the following URL and the internet browser of your choice.
Step 2. Press the Select Files button
It is gray in color and is positioned in the center of the top of the page.
Step 3. Select the MOV file to convert
Use the appeared dialog to choose the MOV file to convert to MP4 format.
If the file is stored in a folder other than the one shown, use the menu on the left of the window to access the correct directory
Step 4. Press the Open button
It is located in the lower right corner of the "Open" dialog box.
Step 5. Press the mov ▼ button
It should be present at the top of the page, to the right of the selected file name. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 6. Choose the video option
This will bring up a new submenu.
Step 7. Select the mp4 video format
It is located at the bottom of the menu. The format mp4 it will be used as the new video format for the resulting file.
Step 8. Press the Start Conversion button
It is red in color and is located in the lower right part of the web page.
Step 9. Wait for the video conversion to complete
This step should take several minutes, as the file will need to be uploaded to the CloudConvert site before converting.
Step 10. Press the Download button
It is green in color and is located on the right side of the page. The converted file will be downloaded to your computer.
Depending on the browser you are using, before the download starts, you will need to select a specific folder and confirm by pressing the button Save.
Method 2 of 2: Using Handbrake
Step 1. Download and install HandBrake
Access the website, press the red button Download HandBrake and follow these instructions:
- Windows systems - double-click the Handbrake installation file, press the button Yup when prompted, then press the following buttons in succession Next, I Agree And Install;
- Mac - Double-click the Handbrake DMG file, authorize the installation (if required), then drag the Handbrake icon into the "Applications" folder.
Step 2. Start HandBrake
The program icon is characterized by a pineapple placed on the right of a cocktail glass.
Step 3. Choose the File option
It features a folder icon located on the left side of the Handbrake window.
If you are using a Mac, you will be prompted to select a new video file the first time you start Handbrake. If not, choose the "Open Source" option located in the upper left of the window
Step 4. Select the MOV file to convert
Use the menu on the left of the dialog box that appeared to click the folder where the file to convert is stored, then select the icon of the latter.
If you are using a Windows system, you may need to scroll the menu tree on the left of the "File Explorer" window, up or down, in order to locate the correct folder
Step 5. Press the Open button
It is located at the bottom right of the Handbrake window.
Step 6. Choose where to save the converted file
Press the Browse button. It is located on the right of the section labeled "Destination". A new dialog will appear that will allow you to select the destination folder in which to store the new video file in MP4 format. At this point type the name to assign to the file and press the button Save.
Step 7. Access the "Container" drop-down menu
It is located in the "Output Settings" section of the window. A new drop-down menu will appear.
If the value displayed in the "Container" field is already "MP4", you can skip this step
Step 8. Choose the MP4 option
It is located within the drop-down menu that appeared. This way the program will be set up to convert the chosen file to MP4 format.
Step 9. Now press the Start Encode button
It is green, inside it has a black triangle oriented to the right and is positioned at the top of the HandBrake window. This will start the program to convert the selected MOV file to MP4 format. When the conversion process is complete, the final file will be available in the indicated destination folder.
