Video file ext change

Why do my videos change from .MPG to M4v when I move them to a new location e.g. a flash drive.? I cannot then view them, it does it all the time. This is on 'PHOTO' it never did this on iPhoto.
Any help gladly accepted.
Thanks
Gari

Depends...how are you moving them to the new location?

Moving files won't change the format unless you're moving them into an app that encodes content when files are opened in it. What if you move the file to your desktop? Does it happen then?

What I was thinking was, if he's just dragging the videos from Photos, it's not copying the whole video, just a "thumbnail" (sort of).
He needs to export them.

Thanks to all for replies. I am just dragging them to the flash drive icon on the desk top. I'll try the export method and see if that helps.
Thanks again
Gari

Hi garigoun, what did you want to play the copied videos on?
I have a feeling that all videos stored in iTunes and Photos are in m4v format.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac Forums

Use VLC on pretty much any platform.

Hello again everyone, sorry for delay in replying. I only discovered this ext. change when I was trying to move a video clips to a flash drive for a friend. I tried to review them and fond I couldn't play them So I tried to view several clips which I've had in iPhoto for ever and had no problem with them before as they were all in MPG. I've tried dragging them to desk top and exporting them to desktop and both methods to put them on a flash drive the result is the same they change to m4v.
Gari

As previously stated I believe this is the default format for all video on the Mac today. I suggest you use Hand Brake or another video conversion app such as Smart Converter.

Hi Rod, thanks for that. I have given up trying to fix it now and as you suggest and as Craddon mentioned I have downloaded another app i.e. VLC snd they are playing ok for me. The only thing I wonder about is if I make a dvd or put them on a flash drive will they be playable to other people on a dvd player or on their PC or Apple?
Gari

Yes VLC is a fantastic free app but for other people you may need a Video Converter. If however they have VLC then probably not.