How to Convert .M4v for Nero

Although DVDs can play in computers when M4V files are burned on to them, to play in stand-alone DVD players, the DVDs must be compliant Mpeg2.

According to FileInfo.com, "The m4v format was originally developed by Apple for iTunes." It is a container for mpeg4 video, using a highly compressed codec that is suitable for mobile devices, the Internet and even high definition applications. Nero, along with all ISO standard DVD burning applications, utilizes the mpeg2 format. To burn a DVD that will play in a stand-alone DVD player, the m4v must first be converted from mpeg4 to DVD compliant mpeg2. Nero vision makes this a very easy process. Nero Vision will even burn the file to the DVD immediately after converting it.

Things You'll Need

• Nero Vision
• M4V file
• Blank DVD

Instructions

1. Insert a blank DVD into the DVD writer drive. Open Nero Vision. Make sure when opening to specify DVD-Video.

2. Click the "Import" button and select "Import Files" from the drop-down menu. When the browser pops up, select all of the M4V files you wish to convert and burn with Nero.

3. Click the "Open" button to exit the browser and open the M4V files. Put the files in the order you wish them to play, then click the "Next" button. The "Edit Menu" screen will be displayed. Here you can edit the menus and change names or load different menus, but the defaults work just fine.

4. Click the "Next" button when finished to go to the "Preview" screen. Here you can check the results of the menu options by pressing the "Pre-Render" button.

5. Click the "Next" button to bring up the "Burn Options" screen. The parameters for burning and transcoding can be set here. By default, Nero Vision will encode the files to the correct resolution and automatically set the bitrate to match the space available on the DVD while still creating compliant Mpeg2 files.

6. Press the "Burn" button, located where the previous "Next" buttons were, to start the transcoding of the M4V files. After completion, the menus will be encoded and the files will be burned to the DVD.

Tips & Warnings

• Additional menus can be downloaded from the Nero.com website or as update packs for free.

• A menu item will be created for each different video imported.

• Videos can be imported all at once by selecting "All" with the shift key.

• Additional formats beyond M4V are also accepted by Nero Vision.

• Always check the bitrate options to make sure Nero has the correct parameters. If the DVD is too full, the bitrate might be too low, causing terrible video quality. If this is the case it might be a better idea to burn two DVDs instead of one.

• If the bitrate is too high, stand-alone DVD players could have trouble playing the video.

References

• "M4v Information"
• "Nero Video Tutorial"

Resources

• "Choosing a Video Template"
• "DVD Help in the Form of Guides and Forums"
• "Digital Video Resources"