The Best way to convert .mov to .mp4 video on Mac?

I just converted a couple of .mov videos from my iPhone to .mp4 and this is a simple task if you could find the right app such as Any2Vid.

Quick tutorial: https://www.macgeekclub.com/convert-mov-to-mp4

I started by trying the QuickTime to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac. It was a disaster. Super slow, and the output quality wasn't great. The files were often huge, and I couldn't control the settings properly. Early on, I'd just hit "convert" and hope for the best. Then I'd be disappointed with a poor quality MP4 or an enormous file that took an hour to email. I once converted a file for a client, and it wouldn't play on their system. Embarrassing! It turned out the codec was a little obscure.

The Fix:

• Stick to Standards: When in doubt, use widely compatible codecs like H.264 for video and AAC for audio.
• These are pretty much guaranteed to work everywhere. Handbrake and the other apps usually have presets for common devices (phones, tablets, etc.).
• Test, Test, Test: Before you send an important MP4, play it on a few different devices or platforms to make sure it works.
• Check Audio Settings: Make sure the audio codec is set correctly (AAC is usually a safe bet). Also, check the audio bitrate and volume levels.
• Listen Before You Commit: Before converting a whole batch of files, convert a small test clip and listen to the audio to make sure it's good.

As I know, the free online MOV to MP4 converters, like ClipConverrter, will have file size limits. If you're working with large MOV files, you might run into this. This can be inconvenient if you have a large video to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac. Requires an internet connection and a relatively strong and reliable internet connection. It can be annoying if your internet goes down. Converting MOV to MP4 can reduce quality, particularly if you are re-encoding, even with the best codecs. There will always be some amount of loss of video and sound. You may have a lack of control and customization options compared to a dedicated software.

I'd recommend using HandBrake—it's free, open-source, and does a great job at converting MOV to MP4 without noticeable quality loss. Just make sure to set the video codec to H.264 or H.265 for best results. If you want a super simple way, Media Player also has a conversion feature. Both work great on Mac! 👍

My Preferred Method: Using QuickTime Player if you want to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac . This is seriously the easiest and quickest way. QuickTime Player is pre-installed on every Mac, so you don't need to download anything new. Here's the lowdown:

Open the .mov file in QuickTime Player: Just double-click it, or right-click the file and choose "Open With" -> "QuickTime Player."
Go to "File" -> "Export As": In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click "File," then select "Export As."
Choose Your Export Settings: You'll get a menu with a few options. Here's what I usually pick:
"4K" or "1080p": Choose the resolution that matches your original video. Higher resolutions are better quality, but the file size will be bigger. 1080p (Full HD) is usually a great balance. If you are fine with a smaller file size for quick sharing, then go for 720p.
Other options (Optional): Sometimes, you might see options like "4K (HEVC)" or similar. "HEVC" means "High Efficiency Video Coding" and can make files smaller while keeping good quality, but not all devices or software support this format. If you are unsure, just stick with the standard resolution options.
Name and Save: Give your new .mp4 file a name (it'll default to the same name as the .mov, but you can change it). Choose where you want to save it, and then click "Save."

Wait for it to finish: QuickTime will start converting the file. The progress bar will show you how it's going. It doesn't usually take too long, even for longer videos.
Done! Your shiny new .mp4 file is ready to go. You can find it wherever you saved it.

There are a bunch of websites that you can online convert MOV to MP4 on Mac. Here are a few:

• ClippConverter: I've used this one a lot, and it's pretty reliable. Just upload your MOV file, choose the MP4 format, and they'll do the rest. You can even choose the quality and other settings if you're feeling fancy.
• Online-Converrt: Similar to ClipConverrter, this site offers a range of conversion options. Just be aware that the free version has some limitations, like file size and conversion speed.
• Converrt.io: This one's another good option. It's simple, easy to use, and doesn't require any registration.

Zamzzar is another popular online tool that you can convert MOV to MP4 on Mac. Here's how to use it:

• Upload your MOV file: Just select the file from your Mac.
• Choose the MP4 format: Select MP4 as the output format.
• Convert and download: Zamzzar will convert your file and send you a download link.

I've used all of these options at some point, and they're all pretty solid. If you're looking for a simple, hassle-free solution, online converters are the way to go. Just be aware of the potential drawbacks, like file size limits and quality loss.

For this, you can try any third party tools. You'll get lots of commercial tools for the conversion of these file format.

My Take on Avidemux CLI for converting MOV to MP4 on Mac. I've used Avidemux a bit in the past (mostly the GUI version, but I've dabbled in the command-line stuff). Here's what I've found, keeping in mind this is my experience:

It's Powerful, But Can Be Clunky: The command-line interface, while great for automation, can be a pain to learn if you're not already comfortable with it. You have to memorize the commands, which can be a headache if you only do this occasionally. You might find yourself constantly looking up the syntax.

Limited Editing Capabilities: While it's good for basic conversions, Avidemux isn't a full-fledged video editor. If you need to edit the video (trimming, adding effects, etc.), you'll be better off using a dedicated video editor.

Codec Choice: The choice of codecs is key. While Avidemux supports various codecs, getting the best balance of quality and file size might require some tweaking. You might need to experiment to find the optimal settings for your needs.

How about Microsoft Clipchamp if you are going to convert MOV to MP4? Microsoft Clipchamp (Web-Based and Windows App): This is what I'd recommend for ease of use and quick conversions. It offers great options for codec and bitrate selection, and you can see how it works without really needing a ton of technical knowledge. Clipchamp has a fairly easy to use UI. By the way, Microsoft Photos App is basic, but can be a quick method for simple conversions.

I recommended HandBrakeCLI, the command-line version of HandBrake, a free and open-source video transcoder. It allows users to convert videos from almost any format, including MOV to MP4 on Mac, using the terminal. It supports batch processing, built-in presets, and advanced encoding options.

Step 1: If you don't have HandBrakeCLI installed, you can install it using Homebrew.

Step 2: Once installed, you can use the following command to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac with a number of settings.

HandBrakeCLI -i input.mov -o output.mp4 --preset="Fast 1080p30"

• -i input.mov → Specifies the input MOV file.
• -o output.mp4 → Specifies the output MP4 file.
• --preset="Fast 1080p30" → Uses HandBrake's built-in "Fast 1080p30" preset for quick and efficient conversion.

Step 3: If you need higher quality or different settings, you can specify additional parameters, such as:

HandBrakeCLI -i input.mov -o output.mp4 -e x264 -q 20 -r 30 -B 192

• -e x264 → Uses H.264 encoding.
• -q 20 → Sets the quality level (lower values = better quality).
• -r 30 → Sets the frame rate to 30 fps.
• -B 192 → Sets audio bitrate to 192kbps.