- IMovie accepts DV (mp4, mov, m4v etc), DV Widescreen, HDV 1080i (25 and 30 fps), HDV 720p (25 and 30 fps), MPEG 4 Simple Profile (.mp4 format), and iSight. In fact, iMovie generally can recognize MPEG files. However, if your MPEG files are muxed (multiplexed) MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 videos, iMovie won't accept them because of the codec incompatibility.
- A file with the MOV file extension is an Apple QuickTime Movie file that's stored in a QuickTime File Format (QTFF) container file. An MOV file can store audio, video, and text in the same file through different tracks, or the tracks can point to the data stored elsewhere in another file.
All you need to have is iMovie app- on your Mac. IMovie is a video editing tool that comes as a built-in application along with your Mac. You can use iMovie to easily change video format of your MOV file. So, let us see how you can use this integral editing software for video conversion. Filmora Video Editor is the best iMovie alternative for Mac (10.13 included) to edit videos. It not only supports all the file formats for iMovie, but also support importing almost any video, auido, and images formats, and exporting videos in multiple formats according to your needs.
When all the editing is done in iMovie, your project will be exported as MOV format commonly. However, MOV format is not so universally compatible across all platforms and operating systems as MP4 format. MP4 is a digital multimedia format that is most commonly used to store videos, audio tracks, as well as still photography images.
So there are a lot of occasions that you want iMovie to export as the MP4 format. If you don't know how to achieve it, you've come to the right place.
In this article, we show you how to convert, export or save the iMovie video in the format of MP4 in 5 solutions.
Part 1. How to Export/Save iMovie as MP4 with iMovie (Practically Successful)
Commonly, when you export iMovie project as a video file, most of you may find the exported video file is MP4 video. However, iMovie never tells you that you could also export iMovie video as MP4, only if you make a slight output setting change.
Now, let's see how the slight change fixes the problem puzzled by many users like you and me.
Step 1: Share iMovie file
Do it as usual by clicking 'File' in the top menu > Select 'Share' > 'File…'.
Step 2: Edit iMovie information
Then a window pops up where you need to edit the output info, Title, Description, Tags, Format, Resolution, Quality and Compress.
Step 3: Export iMovie to MP4
The secret of exporting iMovie as MP4 is to choose the movie quality from 'Low', 'Medium', 'High' or 'Custom'. You will get an MOV iMovie file when you select 'Best (ProRes)'.
Finally, click 'Next' button to pick up the folder to save the exported iMovie MP4 file on your Mac.
The method works for most of the people.
If you have an iMovie MOV creation, but want to use it for some MP4 compatible devices like Windows Media Player, Windows Phone, etc., you have to find your original project and share it as MP4. Otherwise, you have to convert iMovie file to MP4.
Let's move the next part to convert iMovie to MP4 in detailed guides.
Part 2. How to Convert Exported iMovie MOV to MP4 (4 iMovie Converters)
#1. How to export iMovie to MP4 in QuickTime
QuickTime is Apple's own proprietary software and QuickTime player is the official player for it. It is named a breakthrough product of Apple. It can handle much more than the standard QuickTime MOV format and play almost all of the formats used on the Web, including MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV and MP3, etc. Read on and learn how to export iMovie to MP4.
Step 1: Launch the QuickTime app
Open the QuickTime software on your Mac. It is installed on your Mac so you don't have to download it oddly.
Step 2: import iMovie to QuickTime
Select a movie, trailer, or clip you like in the browser. Then click the button of 'Share' in the toolbar, and click File to import the desired iMovie.
Step 3: Adjust the iMovie setting
In the dialog box that appears, you can set the title, description, output quality and more of the movie. Then add the iMovie to the movie theater.
Step 4: Entitle the MP4 video
Click Next. Type a name in the Save As field in the dialog box that appears, or leave the default name, the name of the movie, trailer, or clip.
Step 5: Export the MP4 video
Click the save button when navigating to where you want to save the file. After the process is complete, a 'Share Successful' notification will appear. So your iMovie has been exported to MP4 successfully.
If you have exported iMovie as MOV before, then you could still convert QuickTime MOV to MP4.
#2. How to export iMovie to MP4 via Free MP4 Converter
AnyMP4 Free MP4 Converter is an easy yet functional tool to convert iMovie files to MP4 format. It converts video between 500+ formats including MP4, MP3, AVI, WMV, MKV and so on. What's more, it is absolutely free, and no trials or limitations.
Step 1: Start the Free MP4 Converter
Download and install the Free MP4 Converter software on your Mac. Then open the main interface.
Step 2: Import the iMovie
Click button of 'add video' or 'add from folder' to find the iMovie that you want to convert to MP4. You can import multiple videos here.
Step 3: Select iMovie as the export format
Click the format bar, and choose the export format from the drop-down list. You can list the best presets for several common portable devices, such as Android, iPhone, iPad and etc.
Tips: If you like, you can click 'Settings' to set parameters, such as video codec, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, audio codec. for your devices.
Step 4: Launch iMovie to MP4 format
Click the 'transform' button to export iMovie to MP4 on Mac OS X, and the excellent Mac Video Converter will automatically do the rest for you.
# 3. How to export iMovie to MP4 with Free Video Converter
Free Video Converter is an excellent video file conversion software for Mac OS X. It can help you transform the video and audio format to any formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, FLV, MP3, etc. No matter you want to convert a video downloaded from YouTube to MP3, or you want to export your iMovie to MP4 format, Free MP4 Converter can help you.
Step 1: Add the iMovie into the software
Download and run this software on Mac. Click the Add button to find the video you want in the file to convert to MP4, as long as you open the main interface. Then you can input multiple videos, too.
Step 2: Choose the export quality
When you enter the export list, just drop down the list and choose 'HD Video' > 'H. 264 HD video (*.mp4)'as the best export one with high quality preservation. Also, you can find other similar columns in public columns.
Step 3: Edit the video settings
Before converting the iMovie file to MP4, the Mac converter allows users to adjust the audio and video Settings. Click the 'Settings' button and you will come to the next interface, where you can customize the size, bit rate, frame rate, sample rate as well as audio channel to meet your need.
Step 4: Start the transformation process.
When specifying the export format, click the big button of 'Convert' in the lower right corner of the main window to start exporting iMovie to MP4.
#4. How to export iMovie to MP4 with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate for Mac
AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate for Mac is the best video converter which has much more powerful functions for users. With this all-in-one deluxe Mac DVD and Video software, you can easily export your iMovie to MP4 file on Mac.
- Convert DVD and videos to any 2D/3D video format, including AVI, FLV, MKV, WMV, MOV, MP4, HD AVI, HD WMV, HD MOV, TS, HD MP4 and other HD formats
- In the super fast speed download online video, such as YouTube music video or other YouTube video on your Mac, 100% while keeping the original video quality
- Have multiple editing functions to customize the video: adjust the video brightness, saturation, contrast; clip the video length; crop the video frame; add text/image watermark, and etc.
Step 1: Download AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate for Mac
Download AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate on your Mac and follow the instructions to install it. You can find this software on its official website.
Step 2: Open a video in the main interface
Click on the Add option to import the selected iMovie from your computer to AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. You can also open multiple videos here.
Step 3: Adjust the video settings
Select MP4 as the export format in the exporting list. Then you can adjust video effect, set the video settings, such as the video size, bit rate, frame rate and so on.
Step 4: Export iMovie to MP4
Then click 'Convert' button in the lower right corner to convert your iMovie into MP4. After the process is finished, you can watch the video as MP4 format.
Part 3. Best Video Editing Alternative to iMovie to Save Video as MP4 Directly
iMovie is free built-in video editing software in Mac with some wonderful editing features, its limited output file format embarrasses many users who want to export edited video in other formats with more compatibilities.
Maybe it is time to get an alternative to iMovie to output file format freely for Windows users.
AnyMP4 Video Editor is one of the iMovie replacements, which can edit video, audio, and images with over 200 customizable effects (filters, transitions, titles and elements) and ready-made templates.
The steps of exporting an edited video to MP4 are easy to be achieved in simple 3 steps.
Step 1: Download and run Video Editor on your PC. Add photos and videos into this software.
Step 2: Apply such editing effects as title, elements, filters and transitions into your files. If you do not want to add them one by one, just select the ready-made themes to do it in one click automatically. It also allows you to edit your file like rotate, mirror, crop, effect, motion, background music, etc.
Step 3: After all settings are done, click 'Export' to select 'MP4' as the output format, and click 'Convert' to export the video editing as MP4.
It is the best replacement of iMovie to edit YouTube videos, video tutorial, game recordings, etc.
Part 4. FAQs of Exporting iMovie to MP4
What format does iMovie export?
MP4, QuickTime MOV, AVI, Image Sequence, and DV are the formats that iMovie can export.
Why won't QuickTime open an MP4 from iMovie?
MP4 is just the container that can hold various video and audio codec. Only the MPEG files (.mp4, .m4v, .m4a, .mp3, .mpg) that can be opened via QuickTime. So, you should convert iMovie MP4 to QuickTime supported formats.
How to import MP4 files into iMovie?
MP4 is the container that can hold many codecs like MPEG-4, MPEG-2, H.264, Theora, VP8, DivX, XviD, AAC, Vorbis, etc. Only the MP4 file encoded with MPEG4/AAC or H.264/AAC can be recognized by iMovie. You should convert MP4 file with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate with MPEG4/AAC or H.264/AAC codec firstly, and them dram the MP4 file into iMovie directly.
Conclusion:
Above are the best 5 solutions to how to export iMovie to MP4 file, so that you can play on Mac/iPad/iPhone/iPod, HDTV or other portable devices conveniently. Generally speaking, you can use the QuickTime and iMovie settings to achieve it. Moreover, other software introduced in this post can help you to convert iMovie to MP4 as well. Last but not least tip is you can consider getting an iMovie alternative to edit and export video to MP4 directly.
Which way do you prefer?
Do not hesitate to share this post with your friends, if you think it helps a lot.
Summary: Although iMovie is an incredible video editing software, it can be overkill for it's inaccessible to Windows OS (the most popular operating systems worldwide). Shown below you have a list of the 10 best alternative iMovie for Windows we've chosen in this post. Let's check it!
Can You Get iMovie on a Windows Computer?
Unfortunately, you cannot download Apple iMovie for Windows Computers. As iMovie is only available for the Apple ecosystem (macOS & iOS), therefore, there's no official version of iMovie for Windows 10/8/7/vista.
What's unclear is whether Apple would introduce iMovie for Windows users in the future. And my guess is that Apple wants you to either go all-in on Apple devices, or risk missing out on some of the key benefits.
What is Comparable to iMovie for Windows
As iMovie continues adding features that competitors have, such as 4K video editing, cinematic video filters, Hollywood-style movie trailer templates, etc., more people might be drew to the iMovie's side. However, its inaccessibility stops Windows users fancying as previously described.
If you want to find an iMovie alternative for Windows that's just as powerful as the highly reputable iMovie, take a look at our top picks of iMovie equivalent for Windows for you, including Windows Movie Maker, Lightworks, Shotcut, VDSC, Openshot, Olive, Davinci Resolve, YouTube Video Editor, Kapwing, Clipchamp. Xmas v1 0.
1. Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker, a part of Windows Essentials software suite, is a free and popular video editing software made by Microsoft. It's believed that it is one of the best alternatives of iMovie for Windows.
While Microsoft Windows has officially ceased support for Windows Movie Maker on January 10, 2017, and moved its features to Windows 10 Photos app. But it does not mean it won't work. You still can get it on other sources and use it flawlessly and seamlessly on Windows 10.
Key Features
- Basic editing features are available, such as trimming, cutting, rotating, splitting, altering aspect ratio, etc.
- You can add music, titles, transitions, voice-over and other effects to your footage.
- Share to social workflow can be performed within the software.
- 100% free and no watermark.
iMovie for Windows Tutorial | How to Use Windows Movie Maker
Step 1: Download and install Windows Movie Maker
Download and install Windows Essentials 2012 suite on your Windows 10/8/7 at the beginning. If you already have one, launch it following this path: C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows Live/Photo Gallery/MovieMaker. Fornite con android.
Note: the free download of Windows Movie Maker offered above is 100% virus-free.
Step 2: Add video/images/audio files
Windows Movie Maker is able to make slideshows or video montages by joining videos/images, and add background music/modify music track.
Step 3: Edit your story
You are allowed to make some simple edits like trimming, splitting, rotating, etc., mixing audio, adding credits/text/transitions as iMovie does. For example, you can Add Credits at the end of the footage in this way.
- Click on the Credits button located in the Home tab. And it will automatically appear at the end of your footage.
- Select the credits and click Format at the top bar, and you can adjust font, background color, duration, effects, etc. here.
- Input text in the field.
Step 4: Save videos
To export video in Movie Maker, Click on Save movie on the home page and select an output setting for your video. You can directly share your video to social as a matter of course.
2. Shotcut
Discussing the best iMovie alternative for windows for those new to video editing, you should not miss Shotcut. It's a free-to-use and open source project, so you can obtain it at no cost. Beyond that, Shotcut has stable upgrades, a forum community, and numerous video editing features as iMovie.
Key Features
- A wide range of import/export options provided: MOV, M4V, 4K, ProRes, DNxHD, HDR, high frame rate and more.
- A rich feature-set that contains stabilization, lens correction, picture in picture, blurring filter, etc.
- Constant maintenance to fix glitches or add new features. More so, you can check its forum community where you can get technical support from other fans like the iMovie community.
iMovie for Windows Tutorial | How to Use Shotcut
Step 1: Freely obtain and install Shotcut
Usb not showing up on mac boot. It is important to obtain Shotcut from its official site, which can protect from some of the viruses that might damage your computer.
Step 2: Customize your layout
Setting an interface that you are familiar with can speed up your workflow.
Step 3: Start working with your files
Import material from your hard drive or external drive/device. https://studytorrent-dlnamacos.peatix.com. Now, you can start creating your stories using the editing tools. For instance, you can combine different shots in the timeline and add transitions between clips.
Step 4: Export your projects
Choose an output preset that automatically sets up video settings. When rendering is done, you can save it or share it on social as you wish.
3. VDSC
Another variant of iMovie for Windows – VSDC free video editor. Speaking of VSDC, that app has a lot of features too, applying slow-motion and free frame, saving project file format as well as the ability to enable masking tool making it worth recommending.
Key Features
- Timeline-based video editing.
- Exported files will not be watermarked.
- Beyond basic editing features, there are a variety of useful tools offered, such as video transcoder, DVD burner, screen recorder, etc.
iMovie for Windows Tutorial | How to Use VDSC
Step 1: Create a new project
Like iMovie, you can either start editing from scratch or start with a template in VSDC project manager.
Step 2: Edit files in the timeline
VSDC is non-linear video editing software, you can edit and create your works in the timeline. The biggest difference of VSDC is the UI design that it switches to a new tab when applying effects or transitions to the clips rather than editing all the things on the same timeline area.
Step 3: Export your works
Once editing is done, go for the Export project button on top and render your work to the video settings you need.
4. OpenShot
For beginners and starters, you can try OpenShot Video Editor either, which is also a free and open-source iMovie for Windows 10/8/7 without watermarks.
Key Features
- Powered by the FFmpeg library, OpenShot can import and export most of the popular file formats.
- Desktop integration. That being said, you can drag and drop files to the timeline directly from the desktop and file explorer.
- Powered by Blender, 3D animated titles are accessible now.
- Do simple edits using trimming, scaling, cutting, compositing, time-mapping, audio mixing, etc.
iMovie for Windows Tutorial | How to Use OpenShot
Step 1: Download OpenShot
Download this iMovie alternative for Windows to your PC and launch it. No worry, it doesn't ask for high hardware specifications.
Step 2: Load files and edit
To add files to OpenShot, you can either click on the plus icon at the top ribbon or directly drag and drop files to the Project Files or the timeline.
Step 3: Export your videos
Click on the red dot at the top and set up the video settings you need. Note that a part of formats can enable hardware encoding which can reduce loads on the CPU.
5. Olive
An iMovie for Windows worth looking at is Olive. It is a newly released, open-source video editing program but still at the very early stage of development. While it can compete with some of the professional video editing software. If you are weighing what app you can use, you can take it for a spin.
Key Features
- Its default transition is similar to the iMovie auto-content that automatically adds transitions between clips.
- There are keyframes that help you control color, rotating, scaling and other motions or visual effects.
- Powered by Blender, 3D animated titles are accessible now.
- You can save your work in progress using the Olive Project format.
iMovie for Windows Tutorial | How to Use Olive
Step 1: Make a new project and sequence
Macbook scan document. The first time you launch Olive, you should start with building a new project and a sequence that goes with your media files by clicking the plus button at the upper left corner.
Step 2: Add media files and edit clips
To add media files to the project, right-click on the project manager on the left and select Import to add files from any folder. By the way, Olive also still drag-and-drop.
And then you can start editing clips using cutting, splitting, inserting, etc., add transitions, visual effects, recording narration and others.
Step 3: Rendering and exporting
Before exporting your project, give it a check if there are things that you need to touch up. Hold down Ctrl and H keys on the keyboard to start rendering and exporting. At last, configure the video settings, like container format, codecs, quality, etc., that you need.
6. Davinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a complete post-production system developed by Blackmagic Design. It's a great iMovie alternative for Windows and it goes beyond simple editing. DaVinci Resolve is free, but you can obtain a free license by ordering a Blackmagic pocket camera, which gives you a lot of extras.
Key Features
- Modern UI design and leading editing modes, such as Cut page and node editor.
- Live Save and Project Backups. The ability to automatically back up your projects.
- Packs with video editing, sound designing, color grading, etc.
iMovie for Windows Tutorial | How to Use Davinci Resolve
Step 1: Register and download at first
Navigate to the Blackmagic Design website and freely obtain the DaVinci Resolve package by registering your details.
Step 2: Start editing projects
You can import your files in the Media page, make some edits on the Cut page or Edit page, add visual effects in the Fusion page, make color correction & adjustments in the Color page, render & export your project on the Deliver page. There is always a price tag pdf.
7. Lightworks
iMovie's features are OK for most beginners but might not satisfactory to experts who would cut Hollywood blockbusters. If you are on the hunt for an iMovie alternative for Windows packed with more advanced editing features, you can turn to the free version of Lightworks.
Key Features
- A great number of container formats and codecs natively supported, such as MXF, MOV, MP4, M2T, AVI, ProRes, Avid DNxHD, RED R3D, H.264 and more.
- It allows you to customize the keyboard shortcuts that match other NLE systems to speed up your workflow.
- Multicam helps you edit content used multiple cameras and has clips synced with matching timecode.
- Huge collection of plugins to extend.
iMovie for Windows Tutorial | How to Use Lightworks
Step 1: Get Lightworks on your PC
Navigate to the website of Lightworks and download the free version of Lightworks for Windows.
Step 2: Register a new account for the free of use Call of duty reveal dates.
Lightworks asks you to register an account and log in for using its free version.
When Lightworks opening, the project browser is on, storing all your project if you have. And you can click one of them for continuous editing.
Of course, you can build a new project by selecting Create a new project on top.
Step 3: Import materials and make edits
Now you should import the file you will use to make edits. You can import videos, images and audio files by either browsing media libraries or dragging and dropping files from any folder directly inside Lightworks.
And then drag the files you need to the timeline and start working with them. You are allowed to cut, split, speed up, slow down the clips, add visual effects, text, transitions, mix audio or others.
Step 4: Export files
To export your work, right-click the viewer and select Export. And the sequence will be rendered automatically. Note that the free version of Lightworks only renders MP4 files up to 720p.
8. YouTube Video Editor
Bearing some resemblance to iMovie, YouTube Video Editor is an ideal iMovie alternative that helps you make quick edits for your content through the browser. It's completely free to use and does not do watermarking.
Key Features
- Remove content from video using splitting and trimming.
- Add royalty music to your video from the YouTube music library.
- You can custom blurring faces or areas in the video.
- End screen. It's a special feature only available in this online editor.
iMovie Online Tutorial | How to use YouTube Video Editor
Step 1: Log in to your YouTube Studio
Sign in to your YouTube Studio via a browser. Select Videos on the sidebar and choose a video you would edit. Click Editor on the left to enable YouTube Video Editor.
Step 2: Make edits in the timeline
Modify your video by using trimming, splitting, burring, and adding a song or end screen.
Step 3: Save changes
You don't need to export the video. Click on the Save button at the upper right, the video will be rendered and renewed in a while.
9. Kapwing
Kapwing is a highly capable, free browser-based video editor. All the standard features you'd expect from iMovie are present and included. While some tools work in different ways to iMovie.
Key Features
- It can read and use images or videos from an URL.
- A fresh and simple operation philosophy.
- Editing tools like joining, cropping, resizing, adding captions, songs, etc.
iMovie Online Tutorial | How to Use Kapwing
Step 1: Sign in to Kapwing
You don't have to install any kind of program on your computer. You just open a new tab in your browser and log in to Kapwing or create a new account at first.
Step 2: Start a new project or go on editing
You can either start a new project from scratch or use a template offered. You can go on editing in progress works as well.
Step 3: Edit and export
If you are new to video editing, using a template can easily make your video engaging. After that, you can either share your content on social media or save it on your PC with no watermark.
10. Clipchamp
Clipchamp is a web-based iMovie alternative that can solve the problem of having to download and install programs onto your computer. Although being a browser-based non-linear video editor, it can handle loads of your workflow.
Key Features
- Split, cut, trim, rotate, flip, crop, speed up/slow down your clips with ease.
- Freely obtain materials like videos, songs, GIFs from Clipchamp's Stock.
- Videos will be automatically stored in the cloud.
- Tons of popular templates are free to use.
iMovie Online Tutorial | How to Use Clipchamp
Step 1: Log in to Clipchamp
Open the website of Clipchamp through a browser and log in with your account.
Step 2: Create a project
You can either go for making a video from scratch or take a titled template for your reference.
Step 3: Do some edits and share
Save Imovie File
When it comes to editing in Chipchamp, you can perform any edits that work on iMovie, like adding animated text, music, brands, etc., changing video's color, aspect ratio and many more. When everything is good to go, click on the Export button at the upper right, and then you can download or share to social as you like.
What Files Does Imovie Reader
The Wrap
Imovie File Type
Here are some last-ditch insights for you. If you need an iMovie alternative designed for beginners, go with Windows Movie Maker, Shotcut, VSDC free video editor or Openshot. If your machine is too spotty to run video editing software, YouTube Video Editor, Kapwing, or Clipchamp is a good choice. If you have a high-end machine and need more powerful features, you can go out with DaVinci Resolve, Olive, or Lightworks.
