How can I convert M4V video file to another format??

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › How can I convert M4V video file to another format??

kiwigreen1976

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#96583 31-Jan-2012 15:56

I have a WD media player hooked up to my TV so I can watch movies from my external hard drive on my TV.
Yesterday I downloaded a TV series from iTunes. Problem is my media player can't read M4V files. Is there a way I can either convert the files to another format, or burn them to a DVD that will play on a normal DVD player?
Looking for a free program if possible.
P.S. I am using a Mac computer.

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#575395 31-Jan-2012 16:02

Any video downloaded from iTunes will almost always have DRM in the file.
It is illegal to remove this DRM from the video files, so unfortunately, what you are asking is not possible.

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#575396 31-Jan-2012 16:03

kiwigreen1976: I have a WD media player hooked up to my TV so I can watch movies from my external hard drive on my TV.
Yesterday I downloaded a TV series from iTunes. Problem is my media player can't read M4V files. Is there a way I can either convert the files to another format, or burn them to a DVD that will play on a normal DVD player?
Looking for a free program if possible. P.S. I am using a Mac computer.

You have 2 issues,

1) M4V as a file type is just H.264 MP4 which is playable by your WDTV,

2) However what you bought from the Itunes store is an MP4 that is DRM'd up the wazoo and will only play via itunes- Welcome to the world of copy protection.

Handbrake will pretty much convert anything to anything else, but it won't break DRM files
I am not sure what the rules in the FUG here are about linking to things that will break DRM ??

kiwigreen1976

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#575400 31-Jan-2012 16:08

What a pathetic world we live in. If I had bought it on DVD, I would be able to watch it on my computer, or on my tv, or on my girlfriends tv. But because I bought from bloody Apple, I can only watch it on iTunes??

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#575407 31-Jan-2012 16:24

kiwigreen1976: What a pathetic world we live in. If I had bought it on DVD, I would be able to watch it on my computer, or on my tv, or on my girlfriends tv. But because I bought from bloody Apple, I can only watch it on iTunes??

This is precisely the reason why I don't buy more TV shows/Movies from iTunes. If they were to remove the DRM, and bring the cost down to about 60% of current prices, I would probably buy everything through iTunes. Oh, and if they could bring content to NZ in a timely manner, that would help greatly as well.

I'm keeping a keen eye on UltraViolet.
If this is done right, it could be a real winner. Being able to stream to my Android phone, or PS3, or whatever is a major draw card. Not having to own an iDevice.

dclegg

2806 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#575418 31-Jan-2012 16:37

kiwigreen1976: What a pathetic world we live in. If I had bought it on DVD, I would be able to watch it on my computer, or on my tv, or on my girlfriends tv.

Technically this is true, but I believe it is still illegal to format shift video.

1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#575493 31-Jan-2012 18:36

Yep, format shifting or DRM circumventing of any copyrighted video content is considered copyright infringement.

Having said that, there are many guides on removing DRM from iTunes files available with a simple Google that will make your files perfectly playable on most any media playback device.

When it is for personal use I consider it an infringement of my rights to stop me doing what I want to a particular piece of my property.

Until this happens I will simply put up my kicks and laugh at all the media companies bawling their eyes out over lost 'sales'.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#575513 31-Jan-2012 19:06

Technically, converting a commercial DVD is illegal too. So, until recently, was transferring music from a CD to an iPod (it's legal now). It's also technically illegal to videotape something and watch it more than once, give a video tape of a news broadcast to someone who missed it, or (in Alabama) "to open an umbrella on a street, for fear of spooking horses" (yes, really!).

These laws are, as Shakespeare would say, "customs more honoured in the breach than in the observance".

If you have paid for the file, and aren't doing anything silly like making copies for uploading or sale, the reality is I doubt anyone really cares.

Haven't converted M4Vs myself, but I have transferred my (legitimately owned) DVDs to my media player drive and they haven't kicked my door in (yet). A simple Google search for "convert m4v itunes drm" comes up with heaps of guides on how to do what you want.

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freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79251 posts

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#575517 31-Jan-2012 19:19

1080p: Until this happens I will simply put up my kicks and laugh at all the media companies bawling their eyes out over lost 'sales'.

Off topic, but that chart is a bit "wrong". They ask for a Steam-like application. Well, there are a few: Netflix, Amazon VoD, and iTunes.

They forgot to add that exactly like Steam they have DRM built-in. Because with Steam you still need to authenticate to get the game running. If you copy my Steam files without my Steam credentials they won't play.

What they should have said is "portable apps" and "non-regional locking".

As for the FUG, no linking to DRM-breaking apps please.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#575520 31-Jan-2012 19:23

Yep, you're basically hosed. It's illegal to format shift your legit bought itunes video, so you might as well go download stuff off torrents.

davidcole

6029 posts

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#575542 31-Jan-2012 20:42

dontpanic42:
kiwigreen1976: What a pathetic world we live in. If I had bought it on DVD, I would be able to watch it on my computer, or on my tv, or on my girlfriends tv. But because I bought from bloody Apple, I can only watch it on iTunes??

This is precisely the reason why I don't buy more TV shows/Movies from iTunes. If they were to remove the DRM, and bring the cost down to about 60% of current prices, I would probably buy everything through iTunes. Oh, and if they could bring content to NZ in a timely manner, that would help greatly as well.

I'm keeping a keen eye on UltraViolet.
If this is done right, it could be a real winner. Being able to stream to my Android phone, or PS3, or whatever is a major draw card. Not having to own an iDevice.

If they removed thh DRM and gave us the true converted US cost. $1.99 USD for TV and $3.99 to rent a movie.

The DRM bites. If I want to start watching in the lounge and finish in the bedroom, it's easy with pirated material...but with itunes video I'd need two apple tvs...which I'd do, but then I have no freeview|HD recordings.

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1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#575576 31-Jan-2012 21:58

freitasm:
1080p:?Until this happens I will simply put up my kicks and laugh at all the media companies bawling their eyes out over lost 'sales'.

Off topic, but that chart is a bit "wrong". They ask for a Steam-like application. Well, there are a few: Netflix, Amazon VoD, and iTunes.?

They forgot to add that?exactly like Steam they have DRM built-in. Because with Steam you still need to authenticate to get the game running. If you copy my Steam files without my Steam credentials they won't play.

What they should have said is "portable apps" and "non-regional locking".

As for the FUG, no linking to DRM-breaking apps please.

?

If you read the text under the image it specifically states "NO DRM." So the image is correct because they are requesting a Steam-like application without the iTunes/Amazon VoD/Netflix DRM.

If I were to copy your Steam files for a game I had also purchased, would it work?

"portable apps" - "Give us this application on gaming consoles, pc and other media devices (mobile, tablets, etc.)"

"non-regional locking" - This would come under no DRM for me, it is one of the things that DRM tries to achieve currently at least.

jtbthatsme

937 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#577185 4-Feb-2012 13:02

Well it's been mentioned already that format shifting of video conent you own as in bought and paid for (or don't own) is illegal in NZ however what was said is that he can watch his movie at home on his tv or pc or his girlfriends place. No mention of format shifting involved I play all movies through my pc whether they're digital, dvd or bluray.

I simply prefer it this way.

As for converting your file there's many programs out there that will convert your mp4 file the issue though is the DRM and thats pretty much the same. Plenty of programs will allow you to circumvent DRM too it's all about the legality and your viewpoints about things you have bought and paid for.

I agree with what someone else has already said if I buy it then I consider myself to be able to do whatever I like with it but that's not how the law is written when it was supposedly updated. I call it more of a revised law since it ignored peoples needs to be able to format video as well as audio.

Also someone commented about recording a tv show to watch and watching it more than once etc. The law states you can record it to watch at a time more suitable to you within reason. No timeframes for you viewing this are actually mentioned so theoretically it could be years before you get round to watching it.