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This makes MP4 an especially suitable format for sharing videos online or across different platforms. For instance, MP4s can be played on most media players, such as Windows Media Player, VLC, and QuickTime, while M4Vs must only be played on Apple-only products or software. MP4 files are more versatile and accessible than M4V files, and they are also compatible with various devices and software. Apple uses M4V to encode video files in its iTunes Store.

One major distinction between MP4 and M4V is that M4V files may include Apple’s FairPlay digital rights management (DRM) copy protection, while MP4 files usually do not. On the other hand, M4V was developed specifically by Apple for iTunes and its ecosystem using MPEG-4 video codec similar to MP4. Since 2001, MP4 has been storing video and subtitle streams across many devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. MP4 and M4V are popular file container formats used to store video, audio, and other data types together.

From their file extensions and device compatibility to usage scenarios and available features, these key distinctions set the two formats apart. Now that the basics have been clarified, let’s take a closer look at what sets MP4 vs M4V apart. General-purpose format used for streaming, downloading, and storing video filesĪpple-specific format used primarily for video files downloaded from iTunes, and not recommended for other purposes Primarily used on Apple devices and some Windows computers Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and others

MP4 vs M4V: Side-by-Side ComparisonĪ file extension of the MP4 format, created by Apple for video files with DRM protection, typically used in iTunes Ultimately, which format you choose will depend on your intended use and target audience for the video file. MP4 is a widely supported format compatible with many devices and platforms, while M4V was specifically designed for Apple products - often used for purchases or rentals from the iTunes Store.Īlthough both use the same MPEG-4 codec, M4V files may include copy protection or Digital Rights Management technology, which may restrict playback on certain devices. MP4 and M4V are two widely-used video file formats that share many similarities but differ in important aspects.