How to Convert MPEG Movie Files for Free on a Mac

If you are converting from a PC to a MAC and are a movie maker you probably have a lot of MPEG1 and MPEG2 files. If you have a Sony camera you have discovered they do not support MAC, but you can still move the MPEG files over to your MAC without any problems; they just won’t play. QuickTime Pro and iMovie both support MP4 format, but not other MPEG formats. There is a free program called MPEG Streamclip that you can download that will solve this dilemma. Read on to see how easy it is to convert these files--so you can access them through iTunes and iMovie.

Step 1 Start your MAC and download MPEG Streamclip software (see link in Resources below). Review the conversion options. In addition to the MP4 format you can also convert the video to a large number of other formats including AVI and MOV files. You can use this software to convert most native formats into MP4 or other MAC formats. It will not, however, work with Windows WMV files.

Step 2 Open a finder and browse to find the movie you want to convert. You can also convert entire DVDs and movies to MP4 formats for loading on your iPod. I now have old "SNL" episodes and "Duck Soup" on my iPod, so I never have to be bored at an airport again. When you have selected your movie simply drag it to the target window and the movie will load and be playable within the preview window.

Step 3 After the movie has loaded browse to the FILE menu and select EXPORT TO MP4 to open the exporter window. Here you can select your sound and resolution options. I find the best sound rendering filter is the MPEG-4-ACC option and that the Dolby option has a compressed and scratchy sound. Higher quality will make a larger file if you are exporting to a DVD or watching on a TV. 50 percent Quality will make an excellent copy for an iPod or iPhone. Don’t change the resolution unless you know what you are doing, since it will change the effective aspect ratio of the movie. When you are done, click ADJUSTMENTS.

Step 4 Adjustments allow you to change some basic image adjustments like brightness, contrast and saturation. I prefer to make these adjustments in the image-editing program, but if you see the movie is too dark in the preview you can make some basic corrections before rendering. Automatic Volume Control will equalize the volume between movie clips. If you have already done this in GarageBand you should leave this unchecked.

Step 5 When you are finished simply click MAKE MP4 to begin the rendering process. If there are time code breaks in the movie you will be prompted to either fix these or not. You will also be prompted for a TITLE and FILE location. If you have checked PREVIEW in the option a preview window will appear and you can follow the rendering process.