what is an .m4v file and why does handbrake ALWAYS want to render videos in this format?

[HowToHB]

Description of problem or question:

what is an .m4v file and why does handbrake ALWAYS want to render videos in this format?


Steps to reproduce the problem (If Applicable):

i render any file and it always renders in m4v


HandBrake version (e.g., 1.0.0):


1.5.1 (x86_64)

Operating system and version (e.g., Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, Windows 10 Creators Update):

Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS x86_64


HandBrake Activity Log ***required*** (see How-to get an activity log)

Code: Select all

[22:45:24] gtkgui: HandBrake 1.5.1 (2022030700) - Linux x86_64 - https://handbrake.fr
[22:45:24] Compile-time hardening features are enabled
Cannot load libnvidia-encode.so.1
Cannot load libnvidia-encode.so.1
Cannot load libnvidia-encode.so.1
Cannot load libnvidia-encode.so.1
[22:45:24] hb_init: starting libhb thread
[22:45:24] hb_init: starting libhb thread
[22:45:24] hb_init: starting libhb thread

[Ritsuka]

Historically to improve compatibility with some devices, but nowadays it's not needed and the next HandBrake version will default to always use .mp4.

[rollin_eng]

https://handbrake.fr/docs/en/1.5.0/tech ... iners.html

[HowToHB]

Historically to improve compatibility with some devices, but nowadays it's not needed and the next HandBrake version will default to always use .mp4.

what devices was it trying to have compatibility with?

i'm trying to understand the thought process here, like why use m4v when mp4 is overwhelmingly more widely used?

[HowToHB]

https://handbrake.fr/docs/en/1.5.0/tech ... iners.html

yep, i read that, it doesn't explain WHY handbrake renders videos as m4v as default.

[Ritsuka]

iPod, first AppleTV, QuickTime Player 7, old versions of iTunes. .m4v was required to enable ac-3 audio and chapters.

[JohnAStebbins]

iPod, first AppleTV, QuickTime Player 7, old versions of iTunes. .m4v was required to enable ac-3 audio and chapters.

In addition, the vast majority of players that are not brain dead like those mentioned above are smart enough to recognize the file type based on it's content rather than it's filename extension. So choosing m4v as the default resulted in proper playback on the largest population of players.