How do I convert.mov file to file that can be played on windows machine?

[NCEE2016]

Hey

So I recently converted a very old vhs tape for a family member to a digital file on my mac was going to burn it to a dvd which I have done before. She asked if I could send it to her in email so she can have it on her windows device. I am at a loss on how to actually convert the file. I have played around on vlc but am not really sure. If you have any suggestions on how to do it, that would be great.

Thanks

 

[imaccooper]

Best bet would be to convert to .mp4. You can play those pretty much anywhere. Haven’t messed with vlc in awhile but I would look for either export or convert buttons and choose .mp4. If you can’t finding it in vlc, iMovie will definitely do it. Just import the file, edit if needed and then export as file and choose .mp4.

This method should also give you better compression to be able to email the file, though you may still need to use google drive or some other type of file transfer service depending on the size of the video.

 

[Boyd01]

You could use Handbrake: https://handbrake.fr

 

[kohlson]

If it's not mp4 already, use Handbrake to convert. In all likelihood it will be too large to email (typically 50 MB limit). Use Dropbox and/or Google Drive, and share the file.

 

[Unami]

just try renaming it to .mp4. if it's already encoded in h264 then this might work. (.mp4 or .mov are just containers, often it's the file-/codec- type inside the container that counts). can't vlc playback .mov on windows anyway ?

if you have to re-encode, i wouldn't use vlc for that. you have to know what you're doing and the results can be a mixed bag. i'd recommend handbrake.

you don't need google drive or dropbox to share large files - just attach it to your mail in apple's mail program and use the built-in mail drop function. this automatically uploads files up to 5gb and shares a link that's valid for a month.

 

[Nermal]

just try renaming it to .mp4. if it's already encoded in h264 then this might work.

I wouldn't recommend this; that'll "trick" it into opening with an MP4 player but it'll still be in QuickTime format. If it's in H.264 then try dropping it into Subler; that'll losslessly "repackage" it into a true MP4 file.