How to encode to "original" .mp4 container?

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Dezorianguy
New User
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2024 6:09 pm

How to encode to "original" .mp4 container?

Post by Dezorianguy »

Description of problem or question:
I'm encountering an issue when using HandBrake to convert H.264/H.265-encoded videos into files with the specific extension .mp4. Despite selecting the .mp4 container option in HandBrake, the resulting encoded files have the extension .m4v instead of .mp4.

Details:
When organizing my video files in Windows 11 File Explorer, I commonly sort them by "type." However, due to the .m4v extension of the converted files, they are categorized separately from the original .mp4 files. This leads to a disruption in the logical order of my video files, particularly in terms of capture date or title.

Example:
For instance, consider the following scenario:

Original video files named 2020.05_01.mp4, 2020.05_02.mp4, etc., are sorted by "type" in Windows 11 File Explorer.
After converting one of the files (e.g., 2020.05_03.mp4) into .m4v format using HandBrake, the resulting .m4v file is placed separately in the sorted list, disrupting the logical order.

2020.05_01.mp4
2020.05_02.mp4
2020.05_05.mp4
2020.05_06.mp4
2020.05_08.mp4
2020.05_03.m4v
2020.05_04.gif
2020.05_07.gif

I can sort by name, then I am stuck with this, videos mixed up with images.
2020.05_01.mp4
2020.05_02.mp4
2020.05_03.m4v
2020.05_04.gif
2020.05_05.mp4
2020.05_06.mp4
2020.05_07.gif
2020.05_08.mp4

Expected outcome:
Ideally, when converting video files using HandBrake and selecting the .mp4 container option, the resulting files should retain the .mp4 extension to ensure they are grouped together with other .mp4 files when sorted by "type" in Windows File Explorer.

Solution attempts:
I have explored various settings within HandBrake to ensure the correct output container format (.mp4) is selected, but the issue persists. I seek guidance on how to resolve this discrepancy and ensure consistency in the file extensions of converted videos for seamless sorting in Windows File Explorer. Is it impossible to (h264/h265) encode my old .mp4 files into .mp4 files? Will the encodes always have to be .m4v or .mkv due to the codec h264/h265? What solution are there for me?

HandBrake version (e.g., 1.0.0):
Nightly 20200417191246-fee51eb-master (2020041701)

Operating system and version (e.g., Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, Windows 10 Creators Update):
Windows 11 x64

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JohnAStebbins
HandBrake Team
Posts: 5744
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:21 pm

Re: How to encode to "original" .mp4 container?

Post by JohnAStebbins »

It's a setting in preference Use iPod/iTunes friendly (.m4v) file extension for MP4
Dezorianguy
New User
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2024 6:09 pm

Re: How to encode to "original" .mp4 container?

Post by Dezorianguy »

JohnAStebbins wrote: Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:06 pm It's a setting in preference Use iPod/iTunes friendly (.m4v) file extension for MP4
Is there a downside for using this? I started just renaming .m4v to .mp4. Is this the way to go?
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