.M4V? What is this crap?

Master Chief · October 24th, 2006, 23:19

I recently downloaded an episode of Battlestar Galactica from iTunes. Not having an iPod, I wanted to just watch it on my modded Xbox or my PC.

Well, i just learned it's not that easy.

The file format is .m4v. Surfing the web, I read that .m4v is actually .mp4. I can only play this file in iTunes or QuickTime. I could not find a codec or anything. So I'd like to know if I can play this file back in WMP or convert it (without losing a substantial amount of quality) to another format. I feel like I don't even own what I bought. Can anyone who's downloaded a video from iTunes before tell me if this is possible and how I would go about doing it?

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Brightside · October 24th, 2006, 23:44

you should be able to play it back with any standard video codec packs out there, renaming it to mp4 works.... i can play it xbmc so it should work for you

Foxfyre · October 25th, 2006, 00:38

Welcome to the world of DRM. Where what you paid for really isn't yours.

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mogster · October 25th, 2006, 01:13

Quicktime Alternative?

Master Chief · October 25th, 2006, 02:05

Quote:

you should be able to play it back with any standard video codec packs out there, renaming it to mp4 works.... i can play it xbmc so it should work for you

My hat's off to you pal. If I rename it to .mp4 and try to launch it in XBMC the hard drive begins to do something but the video never loads. I'm using an older version so I'll try the latest one later. This doesn't happen with other .MP4s. Could you explain what you did to get this to work?

As for QuickTime Alternative that's a no go there as well.

This DRM bullcrap is driving me crazy. I can't do jack with this file I bought but play it in iTunes.

__________________

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Smooth Criminal · October 25th, 2006, 17:19

you can use good old vlc media player availabel at ""majorgeeks.com""

it plays vitually any audio/video format i know or which is in my >>system inclydes mp4,wmv and mov format compatablity<<

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Quote:

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^^posted bysonic

Shadow_Cast · October 27th, 2006, 06:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Chief

My hat's off to you pal. If I rename it to .mp4 and try to launch it in XBMC the hard drive begins to do something but the video never loads. I'm using an older version so I'll try the latest one later. This doesn't happen with other .MP4s. Could you explain what you did to get this to work?

As for QuickTime Alternative that's a no go there as well.

This DRM bullcrap is driving me crazy. I can't do jack with this file I bought but play it in iTunes.

The DRM that Apple uses is called FairPlay (The irony of which has not been lost upon the scene), and is generally a thorn in the side of anybody using iTunes but not totally subscribed to the Apple "lifestyle" (i.e., Macbooks, Mac Pro, iPod Video/Nano/Shuffle). There's a program that

http://hymn-project.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1553

Explaination -- just spent the last half hour looking for it. Phew. Well, looks like that should solve your problem =D.

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Master Chief · October 27th, 2006, 21:45

Thanks for that Shadow, but that looks like it's only for audio tracks and not for video

. Do you know of a way to do this for a video downloaded from the iTunes store?

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Shadow_Cast · October 27th, 2006, 23:16

Oh damn. Looks like they haven't cracked the DRM for video files yet...

[reference - http://hymn-project.org/forums/viewt...highlight=m4v]

Sorry, looks like you're **** outta luck.

Hellloooo, looks like I should read what a link a bit more thoroughly. Found a program that might help -- http://www.tunebite.com/website/v2/e...47f7bbea39b19b -- and if that doesn't do the trick, well, I'm afraid that Steve Jobs just really hates your Xbox. And Freedom.

__________________
2.8Ghz Pentium D - 1024MB DDR2 RAM - It's been a 7800GT for a while now -- just never updated the sig - 250 GB HDD (7200 RPM)

I hate Myspace. I love facebook.

Master Chief · October 28th, 2006, 01:20

Thanks a bunch Shadow

. The Tunebite trial converted the first 30 seconds of the movie to WMV. Even better, it didn't really lose any quality! If I can't find a free program to do the same job, I'll buy Tunebite.

Thanks alot everyone!

__________________

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Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5770
HT OMEGA Striker 7.1
Maxtor 200 GB SATA HD
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Shadow_Cast · October 28th, 2006, 21:33

Welcome =D.

And in case you want to keep informed about copyright/DRM issues, www.boingboing.net is a magnificent blog that keeps up to date with that, plus lots of other fun stuff.

__________________
2.8Ghz Pentium D - 1024MB DDR2 RAM - It's been a 7800GT for a while now -- just never updated the sig - 250 GB HDD (7200 RPM)

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tang · December 30th, 2007, 14:49

Even without an ipod, you can still download iTune or Quicktime player for Windows. You cannot, however, convert iTune store movies to other format.

ianmacm · March 4th, 2008, 16:18

.M4V is a file extension used by the video codec MPEG-4 Part 10, also known as MPEG-4 AVC or H.264 (see H.264/MPEG-4 AVC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ). Assuming there are no DRM restrictions, this type of file can be played on the freeware players VideoLAN or Storm Codec. CyberLink PowerDVD (which is not free) can also play this type of file. However, as previously mentioned, the file extension may need renaming to .mp4. Despite its increasing popularity, MPEG-4 AVC is not widely supported. Winamp will not play this type of video, which is something that should be looked at for future versions.

Last edited by ianmacm; March 4th, 2008 at 16:25.. Reason: spelling

**SCHUMI_4EVER** · March 4th, 2008, 16:48

Well done...you bumped a dead thread....best head off and read the rules...

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No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0

Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!!

!!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!

Shin_Gouki · March 4th, 2008, 19:06

never underestimate unwanted help

sometimes it might actually appreciated

NamesSolidSnake · March 4th, 2008, 19:49

People don't usually want to ask a question and get an answer four months...

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Hyuga · March 4th, 2008, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHUMI-4-EVA

Well done...you bumped a dead thread....best head off and read the rules...

Actually reviving old threads is allowed if you contribute to it, which ianmacm undoubtedly did. Who should read the rules now?

NamesSolidSnake · March 4th, 2008, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by galson

Actually reviving old threads is allowed if you contribute to it, which ianmacm undoubtedly did. Who should read the rules now?

Actually, that does make sense.

__________________

**SCHUMI_4EVER** · March 4th, 2008, 20:17

How does one contribute to a resolved 2 month old thread?

__________________

Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) | ASUS P5Q | 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 | ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M | Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1

The Champ has retired but may his Legacy live on FOREVER !!!!

No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0

Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!!

!!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!

NamesSolidSnake · March 4th, 2008, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHUMI-4-EVA

How does one contribute to a resolved 2 month old thread?

If they post a reply!

Which you have done! AHAHAHAHA

__________________

October 24th, 2006, 23:19	#1
Master Chief Quad Core FTW!!! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: USA Posts: 778	.M4V? What is this crap? I recently downloaded an episode of Battlestar Galactica from iTunes. Not having an iPod, I wanted to just watch it on my modded Xbox or my PC. Well, i just learned it's not that easy. The file format is .m4v. Surfing the web, I read that .m4v is actually .mp4. I can only play this file in iTunes or QuickTime. I could not find a codec or anything. So I'd like to know if I can play this file back in WMP or convert it (without losing a substantial amount of quality) to another format. I feel like I don't even own what I bought. Can anyone who's downloaded a video from iTunes before tell me if this is possible and how I would go about doing it? __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.8ghz Abit IP35 Pro Corsair XMS2 4gig & Crucial Ballistix 4gig @ DDR2-667 Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5770 HT OMEGA Striker 7.1 Maxtor 200 GB SATA HD Western Digital Caviar Black 500 GB SATA HD Antec TruePower Trio 650w

March 4th, 2008, 16:18	#13
ianmacm Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 2	Playing .M4V files .M4V is a file extension used by the video codec MPEG-4 Part 10, also known as MPEG-4 AVC or H.264 (see H.264/MPEG-4 AVC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ). Assuming there are no DRM restrictions, this type of file can be played on the freeware players VideoLAN or Storm Codec. CyberLink PowerDVD (which is not free) can also play this type of file. However, as previously mentioned, the file extension may need renaming to .mp4. Despite its increasing popularity, MPEG-4 AVC is not widely supported. Winamp will not play this type of video, which is something that should be looked at for future versions. Last edited by ianmacm; March 4th, 2008 at 16:25.. Reason: spelling

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October 24th, 2006, 23:44	#2
Brightside Koei Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 111	you should be able to play it back with any standard video codec packs out there, renaming it to mp4 works.... i can play it xbmc so it should work for you

October 25th, 2006, 00:38	#3
Foxfyre Emulation Junkie Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 827	Welcome to the world of DRM. Where what you paid for really isn't yours. __________________ Main Rig: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale (4.0ghz at 445FSB)/ GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P P45 Mobo/ 4 GB G Skill PC2 8500 Ram / SAMSUNG 22X SATA DVD Burner / 500 Gig Seagate HD / 250 Gig Maxtor HD / 1TB Western Digital HD / ATI Radeon HD5750 / Realtek HD Audio Media Center PC: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Manchester/ 2 GB Corsair PC3200 Ram / Sony Optiarc DVD-RW / 200 Gig Samsung HD / ATI Radeon HD 4650

October 25th, 2006, 01:13	#4
mogster Bin Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In your bed. Posts: 810	Quicktime Alternative?

October 27th, 2006, 21:45	#8
Master Chief Quad Core FTW!!! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: USA Posts: 778	Thanks for that Shadow, but that looks like it's only for audio tracks and not for video . Do you know of a way to do this for a video downloaded from the iTunes store? __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.8ghz Abit IP35 Pro Corsair XMS2 4gig & Crucial Ballistix 4gig @ DDR2-667 Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5770 HT OMEGA Striker 7.1 Maxtor 200 GB SATA HD Western Digital Caviar Black 500 GB SATA HD Antec TruePower Trio 650w

October 27th, 2006, 23:16	#9
Shadow_Cast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: East LA Posts: 302	Oh damn. Looks like they haven't cracked the DRM for video files yet... [reference - http://hymn-project.org/forums/viewt...highlight=m4v] Sorry, looks like you're **** outta luck. Hellloooo, looks like I should read what a link a bit more thoroughly. Found a program that might help -- http://www.tunebite.com/website/v2/e...47f7bbea39b19b -- and if that doesn't do the trick, well, I'm afraid that Steve Jobs just really hates your Xbox. And Freedom. __________________ 2.8Ghz Pentium D - 1024MB DDR2 RAM - It's been a 7800GT for a while now -- just never updated the sig - 250 GB HDD (7200 RPM) I hate Myspace. I love facebook.

October 28th, 2006, 01:20	#10
Master Chief Quad Core FTW!!! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: USA Posts: 778	Thanks a bunch Shadow . The Tunebite trial converted the first 30 seconds of the movie to WMV. Even better, it didn't really lose any quality! If I can't find a free program to do the same job, I'll buy Tunebite. Thanks alot everyone! __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.8ghz Abit IP35 Pro Corsair XMS2 4gig & Crucial Ballistix 4gig @ DDR2-667 Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5770 HT OMEGA Striker 7.1 Maxtor 200 GB SATA HD Western Digital Caviar Black 500 GB SATA HD Antec TruePower Trio 650w

October 28th, 2006, 21:33	#11
Shadow_Cast Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: East LA Posts: 302	Welcome =D. And in case you want to keep informed about copyright/DRM issues, www.boingboing.net is a magnificent blog that keeps up to date with that, plus lots of other fun stuff. __________________ 2.8Ghz Pentium D - 1024MB DDR2 RAM - It's been a 7800GT for a while now -- just never updated the sig - 250 GB HDD (7200 RPM) I hate Myspace. I love facebook.

December 30th, 2007, 14:49	#12
tang Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1	Even without an ipod, you can still download iTune or Quicktime player for Windows. You cannot, however, convert iTune store movies to other format.

March 4th, 2008, 16:48	#14
SCHUMI_4EVER Hackin 'n Slashin Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Most-expensive-Internet-on-the-Planet Land : South Africa Posts: 26,669	Well done...you bumped a dead thread....best head off and read the rules... __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) \| ASUS P5Q \| 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 \| ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M \| Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 The Champ has retired but may his Legacy live on FOREVER !!!! No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0 Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!! !!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!

March 4th, 2008, 19:06	#15
Shin_Gouki Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Europe / Germany Posts: 903	never underestimate unwanted help sometimes it might actually appreciated

March 4th, 2008, 19:49	#16
NamesSolidSnake nullDC Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California Posts: 645	People don't usually want to ask a question and get an answer four months... __________________

March 4th, 2008, 20:17	#19
SCHUMI_4EVER Hackin 'n Slashin Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Most-expensive-Internet-on-the-Planet Land : South Africa Posts: 26,669	How does one contribute to a resolved 2 month old thread? __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) \| ASUS P5Q \| 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 \| ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M \| Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 The Champ has retired but may his Legacy live on FOREVER !!!! No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0 Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!! !!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!