I always thought they were virtually the same but some devices that support mp4 dont recognize m4v files, a simple renaming them the mp4 makes the show up on that said device but why would m4v not work?
If I remember correctly, .m4v is a special extension from the MP4 container that Apple uses to allow certain atoms, streams, and metadata to be used for their own video files that they sell on the iTunes Store.
In other words, the .m4v extension is kinda propriety to Apple products, and so not all other non-Apple devices will be able to read the extension.
Another thing would be that the device that you're using hasn't been updated to recognize the .m4v extension yet.
My meta data collector takes the mp4 and gathers all the info and Artwork about the show/movie and saves it as an m4v for itunes.
yes mine too i use identify
if you really need it to be .mp4 again just rename the extension and it wont screw up the file