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Convert M4V to AVI - Universal Video Playback

Break free from Apple restrictions. Play your M4V videos anywhere with AVI.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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M4V Files Not Playing on Windows?

You have videos from iTunes or Apple TV that refuse to play on your Windows PC or older media player. The M4V format was designed by Apple primarily for their ecosystem, leaving many devices unable to open these files.

Converting M4V files to AVI solves this instantly. AVI has been a standard video format since 1992, supported by virtually every media player and device ever made. In our testing, AVI files played successfully on every Windows version from XP to 11.

How to Convert M4V to AVI

  1. Upload your M4V file - Drag and drop or click to select your video
  2. Confirm AVI output - AVI is selected for maximum compatibility
  3. Download your video - Ready to play on any device

The entire process takes seconds for most videos. No software installation, no account creation, no watermarks.

Why M4V Causes Problems

Apple created the M4V format as their variant of MP4, primarily for iTunes Store content. While technically similar to MP4, M4V files often come with restrictions:

  • DRM protection - Many iTunes purchases are copy-protected
  • Apple-centric playback - Optimized for QuickTime and Apple devices
  • Limited Windows support - Windows Media Player struggles with M4V
  • Legacy device issues - Older TVs and players don't recognize the format

Note: Our converter works with unprotected M4V files. DRM-protected iTunes purchases require the original Apple ID for playback and cannot be converted without first removing the protection.

When to Choose AVI

Windows Media Player Users

AVI is natively supported in Windows without additional codecs. Your M4V videos will play immediately after conversion.

Older Hardware

DVD players, older smart TVs, and legacy media centers often only support AVI. If your device is from before 2015, AVI is your safest choice.

Video Editing on Windows

Some Windows-based video editors handle AVI more reliably than Apple formats. Converting to AVI can prevent import errors.

Archival Purposes

AVI's simple container structure makes it reliable for long-term storage. The format has remained unchanged and readable for over 30 years.

M4V vs AVI Comparison

Understanding the differences helps you decide when conversion makes sense:

  • Compression - M4V uses H.264 codec with efficient compression. AVI supports various codecs but typically produces larger files.
  • Compatibility - M4V works best on Apple devices. AVI works on virtually everything, especially Windows and legacy systems.
  • File size - Expect AVI files to be 20-40% larger than the original M4V due to different compression methods.
  • Quality - No quality loss during conversion. Both formats support high-definition video.

If file size is your priority, consider M4V to MP4 instead. MP4 offers similar compatibility to AVI with smaller files.

Alternative Formats

AVI isn't always the best choice. Here are alternatives depending on your needs:

  • M4V to MKV - Better for preserving subtitles and multiple audio tracks
  • M4V to MP4 - Smaller files with modern device compatibility
  • M4V to WEBM - Ideal for web embedding and HTML5 video

Choose AVI specifically when targeting Windows or legacy systems where newer formats may not work.

Works in Any Browser

Convert M4V to AVI directly in your browser on any device:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

No downloads required. Your video converts entirely within your browser for privacy and speed.

Pro Tip

If your M4V file plays in VLC but not Windows Media Player, it's likely unprotected and just needs format conversion. VLC can play almost anything, making it a good test for whether a file has DRM.

Common Mistake

Assuming all M4V files from iTunes can be converted. Files purchased before 2009 or rented content almost always have DRM that prevents conversion. Check if the file plays outside of iTunes first.

Best For

Playing Apple-sourced videos on Windows PCs, older smart TVs, DVD players with USB inputs, or any legacy system that doesn't recognize modern formats.

Not Recommended

Don't convert to AVI if you're staying within the Apple ecosystem or using modern devices. The larger file sizes aren't worth it when your devices already play M4V natively.

Frequently Asked Questions

M4V is Apple's video format, used primarily for iTunes Store purchases and Apple TV content. It's based on the MP4 container but optimized for Apple's ecosystem. Many M4V files include DRM copy protection.

No. M4V files purchased from iTunes with DRM protection cannot be converted without first removing the copy protection. Our converter only works with unprotected M4V files, such as those you've created yourself or downloaded without DRM.

No. The conversion preserves the original video quality. However, AVI files are typically larger than M4V because AVI uses less efficient compression methods.

AVI uses older compression technology compared to M4V's H.264 codec. Expect files to be 20-40% larger. If file size matters more than legacy compatibility, consider converting to MP4 instead.

Yes. AVI is natively supported by Windows Media Player on all Windows versions without needing additional codecs. This is one of the main reasons to choose AVI over other formats.

Yes. Upload several M4V files and convert them all to AVI in a single batch. This is faster than converting videos one at a time.

Browser-based conversion works best for files under 2GB. For larger files, we recommend splitting the video or using desktop software.

Conversion time depends on file size and your device's processing power. A 100MB video typically converts in 30-60 seconds on modern computers. Larger files take proportionally longer.

AVI is supported by Windows Media Player, VLC, most smart TVs, DVD players with USB ports, older media center devices, and virtually all Windows software. It's one of the most universally compatible video formats.

For modern devices, MP4 offers better compatibility with smaller file sizes. Choose AVI specifically for older Windows systems, legacy hardware, or software that doesn't support MP4. When in doubt, MP4 is usually the safer choice for new devices.

M4V Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.