How to Convert AVI to MP4 on Mac (Even Over 200MB)

Video quality and file size: A video saved in an AVI container typically requires more space than one in MP4, since AVI does not support the H264 and H265 video compression standards. It is also possible to store 4K or 8K video in an MP4 container rather than AVI, which struggles to handle high-res video due to its antiquated nature.

Video codec: Even though you were able to see some AVI videos encoded in the H264 codec, they are still quite large and can't be opened on older devices. The fact is AVI format hasn't been specifically optimized to handle modern efficient video encoding.

The Best App to Convert AVI to MP4 on Mac without Losing Quality

The best-recommended software to turn AVI into MP4 on Mac is Cisdem Video Converter. AVI files encoded with any codec are supported, including DivX and Xvid. It's super fast without compromising image quality. If you want to play AVI videos, there's an AVI player integrated into Cisdem Video Converter, too.

Further, it supports video conversion between all kinds of SD/HD/4K formats, such as MKV to MOV, H264 to HEVC, MP4 to MP3, YouTube to MP4, AVI to Android, etc. To facilitate multiple conversions of AVI files at once, batch processing is allowed.

Free Download

Steps to batch convert AVI to MP4 on Mac (with h264 codec or h265 codec):

STEP 1. Load AVI files

Cisdem AVI converter for Mac has three interfaces. Drag-n-drop your AVI videos from local folder to the first one for video conversion.

STEP 2. Choose the desired output format – MP4

Click the format profile icon, and a drop-down list appears to bring up the format profile options. Pick up "General Video" > "MP4 Video” or “MP4 HEVC Video" (amazing visual quality while saving 50% bit rate).

It also covers a wide range of available pre-set devices, choose the Apple iPhone/iPad series, Android smartphones, game consoles, etc. as you like.

STEP 3. Edit AVI files (optional)

The program has useful video editing capabilities: crop AVI; create special effect/watermark/subtitle; etc. Click the icon to enter the video-editing mode.

STEP 4. Convert AVI to MP4 on Mac

Via “Output” at the bottom, choose the destination path to save the converted files. Finally, click the icon to begin converting AVI files to MP4 in bulk.

How to Convert AVI to MP4 on Mac Using Apple Default Apps

iMovie

iMovie is an Apple-based video editor with the ability to edit video footage and export it as MP4 or MOV.

But not all types of AVI videos are supported by iMovie. AVI is a multimedia container format, not a specific type of file. It can be compressed by a quantity of codecs. Those AVI videos encoded with Indeo, native DivX, Cinepak, ALaw 2:1, Intel ITU H.263, etc. can’t be put onto iMovie.

So before turning AVI into MP4 on Mac, check if it’s an iMovie compatible video codec.

1. Launch iMovie. Drag and drop AVI clips into it.
2. You might see an alert. Click "Convert" to make your AVI compatible with future macOS versions.
   Note: Many media codecs, like early web videos encoded with the Sorenson codec, work with macOS Mojave and previous versions. In Apple's migration from 32-bit to 64-bit, these legacy codecs were removed entirely. Upon upgrading to Catalina or later, iMovie won't be able to convert AVI files.
3. In the top menu, click “File” > "Share" > "File…". Alternatively, click the "Share" button in the upper right corner > "File".
4. In the file dialog box that pops up, adjust the resolution, quality, and compression settings.
   Don’t set the quality as “Best (ProRes), otherwise the output format is MOV.
5. Hit on "Next", name the exported iMovie MP4 file, and specify the location where to save it.
6. Click “Save”.

QuickTime

To convert AVI to MP4 on Mac with QuickTime player, three conditions need to be met:

• Have installed QuickTime 7 Pro and upgraded to the paid version
• Using macOS Mojave or before
• The AVI to be converted is encoded with MJPEG and PCM. AVI has dozens of codecs in hundreds of combinations, most of which are not supported by QuickTime 7 Pro.

If all three are met, then you can:

1. Open AVI in QT 7 pro.
2. Navigate to the “File” menu.
3. Click “Export” to reveal the format list.
4. Choose “Movie to MPEG-4”. Necessarily, fine-tune the video parameters.
5. Save the video.

QuickTime X doesn't offer a video conversion option. However, when you open a playable AVI file in Mavericks or Mojave, it will automatically convert AVI to MOV. Since Catalina, the feature was abandoned.

How to Turn AVI into MP4 on Mac with Command Line Toolbox

As a powerful command-line tool, FFmpeg allows you to convert/stream/record video and audio files. Its advanced codec library - libavcodec ensures high portability and codec quality.

To use this open-source AVI to MP4 converter for Mac, you must know some basic coding techniques. Otherwise, you won't be able to start. The installation of FFmpeg is already very complicated for technical novices.

1. Install FFmpeg on Mac according to the tutorial.
2. Find the Terminal app and initiate it.
3. Use the following command line.
   1) Individual AVI file conversion: ffmpeg -i input.avi xxx.mp4. Type the command –i. Add the original AVI video into the terminal. Then enter xxx(the output file name).mp4.
   2) Batch processing multiple AVI files: for i in *.avi; do ffmpeg -i "$i" "${i%.*}.mp4"; done. The script lets you convert entire folders of files.
4. Type the command –i. Add the original AVI video into the terminal. Then enter xxx(the output file name).mp4.
5. Press the “Enter” key to transcode AVI videos to MP4.

Free Online AVI to MP4 Converters for Mac

Online video converter is also a popular way for AVI conversion. Video.online-convert.com is a free online file converter. It has 7 parts: Audio converter, Video converter, Image converter, Document converter, E-book converter, Archive converter and Hash generator.

1. Open https://video.online-convert.com/convert-to-mp4 in your web browser.
2. Click "Choose Files" to upload AVI resources from your Mac. You can also drop the file directly onto the green box area or import it from the cloud storage.
3. (Optional) Scroll down. Customize the file settings.
4. Hit "Start conversion" to turn AVI into MP4 online.
5. Download the MP4 file on Mac.

You can try this free online tool to convert AVI to MP4 on Mac, but don’t ignore its limits and drawbacks:

• The total file size of per conversion can’t exceed 100 MB. That means you can't convert more than 100MB AVI file, let alone 1GB.
• Convert up to 20 videos within 24 hours
• Convert up to 5 AVI files at the same time
• You have to upload your video online for conversion. The video may be copied or leaked by others. Thus don't convert confidential or important videos online.

People Also Ask

1) Can I turn AVI into MP4 on Mac with VLC?

Yes, but not straightly.

Although VLC gives you an output option: Video- H.264 + MP3 (MP4), it's actually M4V. The M4V and MP4 formats are very similar. The main difference is that M4V might optionally be encrypted by DRM copy protection.

You can change the file extension to .mp4, but the video and audio are often corrupted or come with some serious lagging. If this happens, try to customize the profile:

• Video codec H.264, keep original video track
• Audio codec MPEG 4 Audio (AAC), keep original audio track

In addition, when converting large AVI files (more than 500 MB), VLC stops short of the full conversion.

Obviously, VLC is not a good AVI to MP4 converter for Mac to get the task done.

2) Can HandBrake transcode AVI video to MP4?

HandBrake is a free video transcoder to convert videos from nearly any format including AVI, unprotected DVD, and BluRay sources. It lets you add multiple AVI files to the queue, and transcode them to MP4 in batches.

But it's not a perfect AVI to MP4 transcoder for Mac.

• Can only convert AVI to two formats, MP4 and MKV (no more output options).
• The conversion speed is a bit slow.
• Even with H265 compression, the file size increased after conversion. I tested a 26.6MB AVI file. Through Handbrake x265 transcoding, the output file size is 64.2MB (more than twice the size of the original), whereas the size is 20.4MB (no quality loss) via Cisdem Video Converter.

3) How to open AVI on Mac

For those who are using Mac OS X 10.4.7+ and QuickTime 7 or previous, you are able to install Perian - the third-party component packages of QuickTime Player.

The best way is to look for alternatives to QuickTime. Both VLC and Cisdem Video Player are free to play AVI files on Mac.

Conclusion

The post shares the fastest and best ways to convert AVI to MP4 on Mac. To be honest, freeware is not an ideal choice due to the slow speed, low quality, complex operation, or limits. And online converters will let out your personal information. I believe a professional desktop AVI to MP4 converter for Mac is needed, which is safe, more stable, and gives you higher quality than other tools.