How to Convert Video files on a mac: Using VLC player and fixing common problems

If you are trying to convert less common video file formats on your mac computer like .avi, .mkv, .raw or .mpeg then you need a 3rd party program like VLC media player. Check out this quick tutorial for how to use VLC to convert files. Also you can see how to solve issues that I encountered like when the sound is missing from the video.

[Greg-fsnp]

Wow! This was really helpful. I was having the exact same problem not being able to include sound with the exported file. I was thrashing around aimlessly trying to figure it out. You saved me!

[cityofaltoonapa]

Under customize and Audio codec, change the codec to "MPEG 4 Audio (AAC)." I've converted a ton of .mxf files and this works without the extra conversion step.

[geminicenturion]

One of the best tutorial videos on this subject, thank you . . .

[arcticlake]

Hey! Every time I try this my files save as MPEG-4 movie and can only be opened on Apple TV and I can't drag into iMovie or any other video software. Any idea where I'm going wrong?

[trilogyg]

Thank you--very helpful! I needed to select audio: AAC for the audio to work/ FYI

[JonnyHalfton]

any advice on how to convert to AMV files? i have an oldschool player that only accepts amv files and that converter seems to be on no program anywhere

[DwellonJen]

omg thanks so much haha I've been looking for a solution for a full day! thanks so much :)

[Isaac]

If you're just trying to export audio IMovie can covert videos to mp3 and wav files. VLC just makes them sound crunchy for some reason

[chrisromeromusic]

This helped me out a lot! You’re the man! Thank you!!

[lindapecaj]

it is still now showing the subtitles without the VLC downloaded....

[alexmarks]

How do you convert with higher res, your file was 4MB and I'm getting a similarly unsatisfactory result

[peachyscottage]

mine saves it as an apple tv file? 😭😭😭😭💀

[klagorop]

Do you know if it´s possible to "batch"- convert videos? Like, convert multiple video-files at once? Have not figured that out yet by myself.

[dinnoo]

Is it possible to convert multiple files at once?

[rajberisings]

Output file was very bright and not very good?

[Raverdeb]

Can you please provide a tutorial or instructions on how to combine/sync the audio and video for iMovie novices like myself? My VOB file converted without the audio, as you said might happen, only to be stuck on this final step(s). I do have both the wav file and the m4v file ready to combine, thanks to your video covering that part beautifully.

[taimag]

I wanted to convert an avi video file which is 40min long. Every time I try to convert it, vlc media player will convert the whole video to only 26sec, so just the first few seconds of the video are shown.

[markymarc]

Hi, I tried to convert a and old dvd I bought years ago, but there are only two folders (audio_ts and video.ts) after clicking on convert/stream. What am i doing wrong?

[mickomalley-lt]

Hey mate, great video and I thought you had solved all my issues. I did 6 videos exactly as you showed me to put them into FCP7 three of them worked perfect, the other three no matter what I do won't go into FCP. Getting getting unknown file no access no matter what I do with them I tried converting twice, one just the video and once just the sound. The CD convert was perfect but it still won't accept the video file. When I hit info on all the files they all read exactly the same. Sorry for long winded explanation, but any tips?

[ImageEnhance]

Thanks for sharing. How can I get in touch with you?