4 Methods to Convert M3U8 to MP4 Files [Beginner’s Guide]
If your downloaded M3U8 videos are not playing on your computers, and you’re looking for ways to convert them, then this article is for you! M3U8 files are just plain text files that can be used to store media track information and the URL paths for streaming audio or video. These kinds of video files will experience a challenge with their playback. But don’t worry, there are methods available to convert M3U8 to MP4 Files. Let’s explore some solutions to help you enjoy your M3U8 videos now.
Part 1: Fastest Way to Convert M3U8 to MP4 on Mac/ Windows
The fastest way to convert M3U8 to MP4 on Mac and Windows is by using the FVC Video Converter Ultimate. This converter tool can handle various formats and can convert videos in formats like MXF, MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, FLV, and more. So, if your files are saved in M3U8 and you’re having issues playing it on your device you can easily convert it to MP4 using this tool. Moreover, if you have plenty of M3U8 video files to convert, you can easily convert them together using the batch conversion feature of this tool. In terms of video quality, with this tool converting M3U8 to MP4 won’t affect the quality of the video.
Step 1. Download and Install the FVC Video Converter Ultimate on your Windows or Mac computer.
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Step 2. After installing the tool, open it. Then, you’ll see the first tab, which is the Converters tab.
Step 3. From the Converters tab, click on the Add Files button to import the M3U8 video that you want to convert.
Step 4. To start converting M3U8 to MP4 videos, just click on the Output format button below and choose MP4 among the list of available output formats.
Step 5. Lastly, click on the Convert All button.
This tool can incredibly convert M3U8 to MP4 in just a few steps. Now, all you need to do is to give this tool a try and install it on your Mac or Windows computer.
Part 2: Convert M3U8 to MP4 Online for Free
If you prefer to use an online converter tool to convert M3U8 to MP4 instead of installing a desktop tool on your computer, then you should try the FVC Free Video Converter Online. This tool is completely free and can convert any type of video format, including M3U8 to MP4, FLV, WMA, AVI, MOV, TS, M2TS, MP3, and more. With this tool, you can easily convert this video file format to MP4 without worrying about installing additional software on your computer.
Step 1. First, visit the official website of FVC Free Video Converter Online.
Step 2. To start, click on the Add Files to Convert button to add the M3U8 video that you want to convert to MP4.
Step 3. After that, select MP4 among the output format drop-down options available below. Once you’ve selected your preferred output format, click Convert to initiate the conversion. The video then will be saved to the folder you have chosen.
This tool also supports batch conversion. If, in any case, you need to convert a bunch of M3U8 to MP4 files, then you can probably benefit from that feature.
Part 3: Convert M3U8 to MP4 in VLC
VLC is a versatile media player and a video converter, as you can also use it to convert M3U8 to MP4 files. Therefore, with its accessibility, support for various formats, and intuitive interface, VLC is indeed an excellent choice for anyone looking to convert their M3U8 files to MP4 efficiently.
Step 1. First, download and install VLC on your computer.
Step 2. Open it, click on Media, and select Convert / Save.
Step 3. Now, click the File tab and then click the Add button to add the M3U8 file that you want to convert.
Step 4. Click on the Convert/Save button when you are done. Then, select the destination folder, write a file name, and select the desired video profile or the format, which is MP4.
Step 5. Lastly, click on the Start button once all settings are done to start the conversion process.
To avoid saving the converted files in the wrong format, then ensure to select the appropriate video profile before converting them. You need to be cautious, as this is one of the common problems that people neglect to pay attention to when doing a file format conversion.
Apart from converting M3U8, VLC can repair video easily.
Part 4: Convert M3U8 Using Ffmpeg
Another way to convert M3U8 to MP4 is by using FFmpeg. This tool is an open-source multimedia framework. With its advanced codec library libavcodec, this tool can convert M3U8 files without quality loss. The only thing about this tool is that it has no straightforward interface like other common video converters.
Step 1. First, download and install FFmpeg on your computer. Then, create a folder for the program and its extracted files. Remember to set the Environmental Variables to C:FFmpegin.
Step 2. Get the M3U8 link in Inspect under the Network on your browser. Then type the command line ffmpeg -i http://.../playlist.m3u8 -c copy -bsf:a aac adtstoasc output.mp4 on a Text Document, and replace http://.../playlist.m3u8 by the link you just copy online.
Step 3. Open Command Prompt and paste the command line to it, then press Enter.
Step 4. Finally, locate the MP4 video in the directory specified before the command line, such as C:\ ffmpeg>bin.
While this tool can effectively convert M3U8 to MP4, you must be familiar with using command lines to convert videos easily using this tool, but if not, then consider other converting tools that offer the same feature and quality output.
Part 5. FAQs about Converting M3U8 to MP4
Is M3U8 the same as M3U?
No. M3U8 and M3U are both multimedia playlist formats. The .m3u8 file extension is a UTF-8 version of the M3 format, while .m3u can have various encodings.
Why is MP4 a good file format?
MP4 is important because it’s almost compatible with a lot of devices and platforms, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Also, it has high-quality compression without compromising on visual and audio quality. Additionally, MP4 supports various multimedia elements, including video, audio, subtitles, and metadata, making it versatile for different types of content.
What makes an MP4 file different from an M3U8 file?
MP4 files store audio and video content in one file, while M3U8 files are playlists used to organize and stream multimedia content like videos. So, while MP4 files contain everything you need in one place, M3U8 files just point to where the videos are.
Conclusion
That’s it! You now know how to convert M3U8 to MP4 format. Just follow any of the methods presented in this article, especially the one that best works for your preference and needs. What are you waiting for? Start converting your M3U8 files to MP4 today!