How to & Tips
Convert Video
by Vita
Updated on Jul 19, 2024
Looking for ways to convert MP4 files to H.264? This post will share with you four simple and free methods to make the conversion easy. For faster and higher quality conversion, it is recommended that you download the most effective H264 file converter to convert MP4 to H.264:
MP4 is a digital multimedia container format mainly used to store video and audio data, while H.264 is a video codec that can compress video data in an MP4 container. As a popular video compression standard for compressing, recording, and distributing video data, H.264 is able to compress video into a relatively small size while maintaining high quality. YouTube, Vimeo, Hulu, Netflix and other video streaming sites all use the H.264 standard. If you want to reduce video file size or improve its compatibility with platforms, you can use H.264 for your video files.
It is worth noting that converting MP4 to H.264 is actually the process of re-encoding MP4 files using H.264, such as MP4 H.265 to H.264 or MP4 MPEG-4 to H.264. Of course, you can also change the video format, such as converting MP4 H.264 to MKV H.264.
So how to encode MP4 videos using H.264? You can try the following methods.
Best Free MP4 to H.264 Converter
WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory is a simple but powerful video converter that supports more than 300 formats, codecs, and devices. It provides smart-fit options and customizable video settings, with which you can smoothly convert MP4 files to H.264 and handle other conversions you meet in daily life.
WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory is a video and audio conversion application on Windows. Due to its excellent format and codec support, it can be used as an MP4 to H.264 converter to convert your MP4 files to high-quality H.264 in just a few clicks. In addition, it provides more parameter settings to personalize your MP4 videos.
Here's how to convert MP4 files to H.264 in this video converter. Download the software and follow the tutorial below.
Before start, please free downloadfree download the software and install it on PC.
Open Free HD Video Converter Factory, select “Converter” on the main interface. On the Video Converter window, click on “Add Files” and import your MP4 files. You can also drag all the files into the window directly.
Click the format icon on the right side, head to Video, then select H264. In this way, Free HD Video Converter Factory will convert your MP4 files without changing the MP4 container format. That is to say, it will export the files in MP4 H.264.
However, if you want to change the container format from MP4 to MKV, MOV or other formats, you need first select the target format under the format menu, then click Parameter Settings, click to open the Encoder drop-down list, and select H.264. Next, click “OK”.
Tip: Since some video container formats don’t use the H.264 coding method, you may not find H.264 under the Encoder list after choosing any of these formats.
Click the triangle icon on the bottom to specify the output folder. Then, click on “Run” to convert videos to H.264.
In addition to directly playing kinds of media files, VLC can help you to convert video files. You can use it to convert MP4 videos to H.264, as well.
Step 1. Run VLC, hit Media, then Convert/Save.
Step 2. On the Open Media dialog, click on +Add, select the MP4 file you want to convert and click Convert/Save.
Step 3. Click the Profile drop-down list, select Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4) that refers to MP4 video encoded with H.264 video codec and MP3 audio codec. You can also select any other formats based on your demands.
Step 4. Hit the Browse button and specify the output path.
Step 5. Hit Start to finalize the conversion.
HandBrake is an open source video transcoder available for both Mac and Windows computers. It supports all video inputs, including MP4, and can convert MP4 files to H.264 codec in a few easy clicks.
Step 1. Download HandBrake from its official website https://handbrake.fr/.
Step 2. Launch HandBrake.
Step 3. Drag your MP4 file into the HandBrake interface for import.
Step 4. Expand the Preset drop-down list and select a profile according to your needs.
Step 5. Under the Summary tab, make sure the Format option is set to MP4. Then click the Video tab and choose H.264 (x264) as the Video Encoder.
Step 6. Click the Browse button and select the save location.
Step 7. Click the Start Encode button at the top to start the re-encoding process.
Online video converters are typically free methods of converting file formats and some of them support MP4 to H.264 conversion. We have rounded several good choices. If you think an online solution is suitable for you most, you can try any of them:
http://www.convertfiles.com/convert/video/
https://video.online-convert.com/convert-to-mp4
https://www.zamzar.com/convert/264-to-mp4/
https://convert-video-online.com/
Usually, for converting MP4 to H.264 online, you need to upload the target video, select H.264 as the output format. Next, wait for the uploading and conversion process. Because of varied net connection conditions, the process can be either long or short.
Sum Up
It is recommended that you use online solutions for small video clips only since most websites have maximum upload file limits. Meanwhile, a large video file could cause an extremely long conversion process. VLC is suitable for people who have installed this media player on their desktop and have fewer demands for the conversion, such as, flexible and self-explanatory conversion settings. However, if you expect a smooth and fast conversion process, and want to further convert more files, with Free HD Video Converter Factory installed on PC, you will not have to download other conversion tools anymore. Get this flexible video converter to have a try!
How to Batch Convert Videos Files in a Blink
WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro
The Pro version owns exclusive lightning mode, and supports batch conversion mode and hardware acceleration, which works together bringing you a surprisingly fast conversion. But fast conversion is not its only striking points. Designed as multiple-purpose video process software, this software comes with more advanced features. Download it to explore:
