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Convert MOV to MPG - Make Videos DVD-Ready Instantly

Transform Apple MOV videos to universal MPG format. Perfect for DVD authoring and legacy device playback.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Need Your MOV Files on DVD?

You have videos from your iPhone or Mac in MOV format, but your DVD authoring software only accepts MPG. Or maybe you need to share videos with someone who has an older media player that struggles with modern Apple formats.

Converting MOV to MPG solves these compatibility issues completely. MPG (MPEG) has been the foundation of DVD video since the format launched in 1996, and virtually every DVD player, legacy media system, and broadcast workflow supports it natively. In our testing, MOV files converted to MPG played flawlessly on DVD players manufactured over the past two decades.

If you work with MOV files regularly, this conversion opens up distribution options that Apple's format simply cannot match in legacy environments.

How to Convert MOV to MPG

  1. Upload your MOV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Apple video file
  2. Select MPG as output - Choose MPG for maximum DVD and legacy player compatibility
  3. Download your video - Your converted MPG file is ready for DVD authoring or playback

The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no accounts to create, no waiting in queues.

MOV vs MPG: Understanding the Formats

MOV is Apple's QuickTime container format, introduced in 1991 and updated consistently since. It supports modern codecs like H.264 and HEVC, making it excellent for high-quality video on Apple devices and professional editing software.

MPG files use either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compression. MPEG-2 specifically is the video codec that powers DVD-Video, digital broadcast television (ATSC, DVB), and early Blu-ray releases. While MPEG-2 is not as efficient as newer standards, its universal hardware support makes it irreplaceable for certain workflows.

Technical Comparison

  • MOV - Supports H.264, HEVC, ProRes; excellent for editing; limited hardware player support
  • MPG - Uses MPEG-1/MPEG-2; DVD standard; plays on virtually all standalone DVD players
  • File size - MPG files are typically larger than H.264 MOV at similar quality
  • Maximum resolution - MPEG-2 supports up to 1920x1152 (rarely used); most DVD content is 720x480 or 720x576

In our testing, a 100MB MOV file encoded with H.264 converted to approximately 150-200MB in MPEG-2 MPG format while maintaining visual quality suitable for DVD authoring.

When to Convert MOV to MPG

DVD Authoring Projects

Creating a DVD for clients, family, or archive purposes? DVD authoring software like DVD Styler, DVDFab, and even professional tools like Adobe Encore require MPEG-2 video. Converting your MOV source files to MPG ensures smooth import and proper encoding for the DVD-Video standard.

Legacy Media Players

Older media players, car entertainment systems from the 2000s-2010s era, and some industrial display systems only support MPG files. If you need guaranteed playback on these devices, MPG is your safest choice.

Broadcast Workflows

While modern broadcasting increasingly uses H.264, MPEG-2 remains widely used in over-the-air digital television. The ATSC standard used for US broadcast TV specifies MPEG-2 video. Converting MOV to MPG can be the first step in preparing content for these legacy broadcast systems.

Archival Purposes

Some organizations maintain MPEG-2 archives for long-term compatibility. The format's stability and universal decoder support make it a conservative choice for content that must remain accessible for decades.

Quality Considerations

Converting from MOV to MPG involves transcoding-decoding the source video and re-encoding it in MPEG-2. This process does result in some generation loss, though it is minimal when converting from high-quality sources.

For best results:

  • Start with the highest quality MOV source available
  • Avoid converting files that have already been heavily compressed
  • For DVD authoring, the target bitrate is typically 4-8 Mbps for MPEG-2
  • Standard DVD resolution is 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL)

In our testing, MOV files recorded directly from iPhone cameras converted to visually indistinguishable MPG files suitable for DVD playback. The MPEG-2 codec handles the types of content typically found in consumer video (people, landscapes, events) very well.

Alternative Conversions to Consider

MPG is ideal for DVD authoring and legacy playback, but other formats might suit your needs better in different scenarios:

  • MOV to MP4 - If you need modern compatibility without DVD requirements, MP4 offers broader device support while maintaining smaller file sizes
  • MOV to AVI - For older Windows systems that predate broad MP4 support, AVI remains widely compatible
  • MOV to WMV - Specifically for Windows Media Player environments and legacy Microsoft ecosystems
  • MOV to WEBM - For web embedding where you need an open-source format

Choose MPG specifically when your end goal involves physical DVD creation or playback on standalone DVD players and legacy systems.

Batch Conversion for Large Projects

Working with multiple MOV files from an event or project? Upload several files at once and convert them all to MPG in a single batch. This is particularly useful when preparing a DVD compilation with multiple chapters or segments.

For large DVD projects with dozens of source files, batch conversion saves significant time compared to processing each file individually.

Works on Any Device

Convert MOV to MPG directly in your browser on:

  • Windows PC (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
  • Mac (Safari, Chrome, Firefox)
  • Linux (any modern browser)
  • Chromebook
  • iPad and Android tablets

Processing happens locally in your browser using modern web technologies. Your video files are not uploaded to external servers, ensuring privacy for sensitive content.

Pro Tip

When creating DVDs from MOV sources, convert to MPG first, then import into your authoring software. This gives you more control over the encoding quality and prevents the authoring software from making its own compression decisions that might reduce quality further.

Common Mistake

Assuming MPG files will be smaller than MOV. MPEG-2 compression is less efficient than H.264, so your converted files will typically be larger. Plan for 1.5-2x the original file size when budgeting DVD storage space.

Best For

DVD authoring projects where you need to create physical discs that play on standalone DVD players. Also ideal for legacy media players, car entertainment systems from the 2000s-2010s, and broadcast workflows still using MPEG-2.

Not Recommended

Don't convert to MPG if you are sharing videos online, streaming, or playing on modern devices. MP4 offers better compression, smaller files, and equally broad support on current hardware. Reserve MPG for DVD and legacy-specific workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

MPG and MPEG refer to the same format. MPG is simply the shortened file extension (limited to three characters for compatibility with older systems), while MPEG is the full name of the standard developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group.

Yes. MPG files using MPEG-2 encoding are the native format for DVD-Video. DVD authoring software like DVD Styler, DVDFab, Nero, and Adobe Encore all accept MPG files directly for DVD creation.

Some quality loss occurs during transcoding, but it is typically minimal when starting from a high-quality source. MPEG-2 handles typical video content well. For DVD authoring, the standard bitrates (4-8 Mbps) produce visually excellent results.

MOV files often use H.264 or HEVC compression, which is more efficient than MPEG-2. A typical H.264 MOV file will become 1.5-2x larger when converted to MPEG-2 MPG at comparable quality. This is normal and expected.

Yes. Our converter works in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on Mac. No additional software is needed - just upload your MOV file and download the converted MPG.

The converter preserves your source resolution when possible. For DVD authoring, you may need to ensure your output matches DVD specifications: 720x480 for NTSC regions or 720x576 for PAL regions.

MPG files typically contain MPEG-2 video, though some older MPG files use MPEG-1. MPEG-2 is the standard used for DVDs and digital broadcast television, making it the more relevant format for most modern uses.

You need DVD authoring software to create a proper DVD-Video disc. The MPG file is the video content, but DVD authoring software creates the menu structure, chapter markers, and file system that DVD players require.

Most smart TVs support MPG playback via USB. However, for smart TV streaming, MP4 is generally a better choice due to smaller file sizes and broader codec support. Use MPG specifically when DVD compatibility or legacy device support is required.

Conversion time depends on your file size and device processing power. A typical 5-minute MOV video converts in under a minute on modern computers. Longer videos and older devices will take proportionally more time.

Yes. iPhone videos are recorded in MOV format by default. Upload them directly to our converter, download as MPG, then import into your DVD authoring software to create playable DVDs.

For general sharing and streaming, MP4 has largely replaced MPG. However, MPG remains essential for DVD authoring, legacy broadcast systems, and playback on older standalone players. If your workflow involves any of these, MPG is still the right choice.

MOV Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.