Apple Videos Won't Play on Your TV or PC?
M4V files are Apple's video format, commonly used for iTunes purchases and downloads. The problem? Most non-Apple devices struggle with M4V. Your Windows PC, Android phone, or DVD player likely can't handle these files.
Converting to MPG solves this instantly. MPG (MPEG) is one of the most universally supported video formats-it plays on virtually every device made in the last 25 years. From DVD players to smart TVs, MPG just works.
How to Convert M4V to MPG
- Upload your M4V file - Drag and drop or click to select your video
- Select MPG as output - MPG is pre-selected for maximum compatibility
- Download your video - Ready for playback on any device
The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no account required.
Why M4V Files Cause Problems
Apple created M4V as a variant of MP4, but with some key differences that limit compatibility:
- DRM protection - iTunes purchases often include FairPlay copy protection that blocks playback on non-Apple devices
- Limited player support - Windows Media Player and many Android players don't recognize M4V natively
- No DVD burning - Most DVD authoring software can't import M4V files directly
- Editing challenges - Video editors outside the Apple ecosystem may reject M4V
If your M4V files came from iTunes or were created on a Mac, converting them opens up your options significantly.
Why MPG is the Universal Choice
MPG has been a video standard since the early 1990s. In our testing, MPG files played successfully on every media player we tried-from VLC to Windows Media Player to dedicated hardware players.
Key advantages of MPG:
- DVD compatible - Burn directly to DVD without re-encoding
- Universal playback - Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and standalone players
- No codecs needed - Plays instantly without downloading additional software
- TV-friendly - Older smart TVs and media players prefer MPG over newer formats
Common Use Cases
Burning Videos to DVD
Creating a physical DVD of your videos? MPG is the native format for DVD-Video. Converting M4V to MPG first makes the burning process seamless with any authoring software.
Playing on Windows PCs
Windows Media Player handles MPG without issues. If your M4V files show errors or require QuickTime, MPG is the fix.
Sharing with Non-Apple Users
Sending videos to someone without Apple devices? MPG ensures they can watch without any hassle or special software.
M4V vs MPG: Quick Comparison
Both formats store video and audio, but they serve different purposes:
- M4V - Apple-optimized, H.264 codec, may include DRM, best for iOS/macOS
- MPG - Universal standard, MPEG-1/MPEG-2 codec, no DRM, works everywhere
For streaming and web use, consider M4V to MP4 instead-MP4 offers better compression for online sharing. For offline playback and DVDs, MPG remains the reliable choice.
Alternative Conversions
Depending on your needs, other formats might serve you better:
- M4V to AVI - For older Windows software and legacy systems
- M4V to MKV - For high-quality archiving with subtitle support
- M4V to WEBM - For web embedding and HTML5 video
Each format has strengths-MPG excels when broad hardware compatibility matters most.
Works in Any Browser
Convert M4V to MPG directly in your web browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android
No downloads, no installations. Your video files stay on your device throughout the conversion process.