ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert MP4 to MPEG - DVD and Broadcast Compatible Video

Convert MP4 to MPEG - DVD and Broadcast Compatible Video

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

Need Your MP4 Videos in MPEG Format?

MP4 files work perfectly on computers and smartphones, but DVD authoring software, broadcast systems, and older media players often demand MPEG format specifically. Whether you are creating a DVD for a family event, preparing video for broadcast equipment, or working with legacy hardware, your MP4 files need conversion to MPEG.

MPEG format predates MP4 and remains the standard for DVD-Video, broadcast television, and VCD creation. Converting your modern MP4 files to MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 ensures compatibility with these established systems without hunting for codec workarounds.

How to Convert MP4 to MPEG

  1. Upload your MP4 file - Drag and drop or select any MP4 video from your device
  2. Confirm MPEG output - Your file converts to broadcast-compatible MPEG format automatically
  3. Download your MPEG file - Get your DVD-ready or broadcast-compatible video file instantly

The conversion processes quickly depending on file size. No software installation required, and your files are handled securely in your browser.

Understanding the Difference Between MP4 and MPEG

This distinction confuses many users because the formats are related but serve different purposes. Understanding the technical differences helps you choose correctly.

  • MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) - A modern container format typically using H.264 or H.265 codecs, designed for streaming and efficient compression
  • MPEG (MPEG-1/MPEG-2) - Earlier video coding standards using older compression, designed for VCD (MPEG-1) and DVD/broadcast (MPEG-2)
  • Compression efficiency - MP4 with H.264 achieves similar quality at roughly half the file size compared to MPEG-2
  • Maximum resolution - MPEG-1 supports up to 352x288, MPEG-2 handles up to 1920x1080, MP4 supports 4K and beyond
  • Bitrate requirements - DVD-compliant MPEG-2 typically uses 4-9.8 Mbps, while MP4 achieves equivalent quality at 2-5 Mbps

In our testing, a 100 MB MP4 file (H.264, 1080p) converts to approximately 200-400 MB in MPEG-2 format at equivalent visual quality due to less efficient compression.

When MP4 to MPEG Conversion Is Necessary

DVD Authoring and Burning

DVD-Video specification requires MPEG-2 video with specific parameters. DVD authoring software like DVD Styler, ImgBurn with DVD-Video mode, or professional tools like Adobe Encore expect MPEG-2 input. Converting your MP4 files to MPEG-2 first eliminates transcoding errors and compatibility warnings during the authoring process.

Broadcast and Professional Video

Television broadcast systems, particularly older infrastructure, were built around MPEG-2 Transport Streams. Cable headends, satellite uplinks, and some IPTV systems still require MPEG-2 feeds. If you are delivering content to broadcast equipment, MPEG format may be mandatory.

VCD Creation

Video CDs, still used in some regions and for legacy equipment, require MPEG-1 video at specific settings (352x288 at 25 fps for PAL, 352x240 at 29.97 fps for NTSC). Converting to MPEG-1 ensures VCD compatibility for older players and car entertainment systems.

Legacy Hardware and Set-Top Boxes

Older standalone DVD players, media boxes from the mid-2000s, and some in-car entertainment systems recognize MPEG files but stumble on MP4 containers. These devices were manufactured before H.264 became widespread and expect elementary MPEG streams.

MPEG-1 vs MPEG-2: Which Should You Choose?

The output format depends entirely on your destination device or purpose. Making the wrong choice means your converted file still will not work.

  • Choose MPEG-2 when: Creating DVDs, feeding broadcast equipment, working with professional video systems, or playing on devices that support DVD-Video format
  • Choose MPEG-1 when: Creating VCDs, needing maximum compatibility with 1990s-era players, or working with systems that specifically require MPEG-1 streams
  • Keep MP4 when: Playing on computers, smartphones, modern TVs, streaming online, or storing video efficiently on limited space

For most users needing MPEG format, MPEG-2 is the correct choice. MPEG-1 is only necessary for VCD creation or very specific legacy compatibility scenarios.

DVD-Video Technical Requirements

If you are converting MP4 to MPEG for DVD burning, understanding the DVD-Video specification prevents wasted blank discs and frustration.

  • Video codec - Must be MPEG-2 (not MPEG-1, not H.264)
  • Resolution options - 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL), also 704x480 and 352x480 for lower quality
  • Frame rate - 29.97 fps for NTSC regions, 25 fps for PAL regions
  • Maximum bitrate - 9.8 Mbps combined video and audio, typically 6-8 Mbps video for best results
  • Audio format - AC3 (Dolby Digital) at 48 kHz or PCM, MP3 audio is not DVD-compliant

Videos not meeting these specifications may fail to play on standalone DVD players, even if they burn successfully to disc. Our converter outputs MPEG-2 suitable for DVD authoring workflows.

Batch Convert Multiple MP4 Files

Preparing an entire video collection for DVD or archiving to MPEG format? Upload multiple MP4 files at once and convert them all to MPEG. Batch processing saves significant time when digitizing home videos or preparing content libraries for legacy playback systems.

Works on Any Device

Our browser-based converter runs entirely in your web browser. No software to install, no plugins required, and no account needed.

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones

Convert your MP4 files from any device, then transfer the MPEG output to your DVD authoring software or target playback system.

Pro Tip

For DVD authoring, convert to MPEG-2 at 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL) with 6-8 Mbps video bitrate. Higher bitrates waste disc space with no visible improvement, while lower bitrates show compression artifacts on large screens.

Common Mistake

Users burn MPEG files directly to DVD as data files instead of using DVD authoring software. This creates a data disc that computers can play, but standalone DVD players will show 'no disc' or 'unsupported format' errors. Always use proper DVD-Video authoring.

Best For

Perfect for creating DVDs from digital video, feeding broadcast or cable equipment, preparing content for legacy media servers, and ensuring playback on MPEG-only devices from the early 2000s.

Not Recommended

Not ideal for sharing videos online, streaming to modern devices, or storing large video libraries. MPEG files are 2-4x larger than MP4 with no benefit on modern systems. Keep MP4 for anything that supports it.

Frequently Asked Questions

MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a modern container format using efficient H.264 compression. MPEG refers to older MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video coding standards used for VCDs and DVDs. MP4 files are smaller at equivalent quality, but MPEG is required for DVD-Video and some broadcast systems.

Yes, significantly. MPEG-2 compression is less efficient than modern H.264. Expect your converted MPEG file to be 2-4 times larger than the original MP4 at comparable visual quality. A 100 MB MP4 typically becomes 200-400 MB as MPEG-2.

The MPEG-2 file from our converter is suitable for DVD authoring software. However, you still need DVD authoring software like DVD Styler or ImgBurn to create a proper DVD-Video structure with menus before burning. Simply copying an MPEG file to a DVD will not create a playable disc.

Choose MPEG-2 for DVD creation, broadcast use, and most modern legacy equipment. Choose MPEG-1 only for VCD creation or very old devices from the 1990s. MPEG-2 offers better quality and higher resolution support.

Some quality loss occurs when transcoding between formats. MPEG-2 uses less efficient compression, so achieving the same visual quality requires higher bitrates and larger files. For critical projects, use a high bitrate MPEG-2 output and keep your original MP4 as a master.

DVD-Video requires specific resolutions: 720x480 at 29.97 fps for NTSC regions (Americas, Japan) or 720x576 at 25 fps for PAL regions (Europe, Australia). Using incorrect resolution or frame rate causes playback failures on standalone DVD players.

DVD players require MPEG-2 with specific parameters. Common issues include wrong resolution, incorrect frame rate, incompatible audio (MP3 instead of AC3), or bitrate exceeding 9.8 Mbps. The file must also be authored into proper DVD-Video folder structure, not just burned as a data file.

MPEG-2 remains essential for DVD creation, broadcast television infrastructure, and legacy hardware. While modern devices prefer MP4, the installed base of DVD players and broadcast equipment ensures MPEG-2 stays relevant for specific professional and compatibility scenarios.

You can convert them, but MPEG-2 maximum resolution is 1920x1080. 4K content will be downscaled. Additionally, MPEG-2 files at high resolutions become extremely large. For 4K content, keep the original MP4 format unless you specifically need DVD or broadcast compatibility.

Conversion time depends on file size and your internet connection for upload. A typical 500 MB MP4 file converts in 2-5 minutes. The resulting MPEG file will be larger, so download time increases accordingly. Batch conversions process files sequentially.

MP4 Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.