H.264 encoded video file is the video file that is encoded with H.264 compression, which is a popular format for high definition video and often used as the video format for AVCHD camcorders, HDTV, Blu-ray and HD DVD. It generally refers to a video file that is actually an .MP4 file. Talking this, some may be confused with the MP4 VS H.264. Actually MP4 is file container which is commonly used for sharing the video files on the internet and can be played one most devices, while H.264 is actually a video compression codec that requires a video container to host the encoded video. And in some condition, especially for some HD players and devices, MP4 is no longer popular and it is important for video lovers to be specialized in how to convert MP4 to H.264.

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Part 1. Why Do You Convert MP4 to H.264?

MP4 and H.264 are both well-received in the media transferring. But there seems to be so many people unable to distinguish between them. Generally speaking, MP4 is a container file format while H.264 a video compression codec that needs a container format to host the videos that are encoded. So H.264 encoded files can be MP4, AVI, MKV, or others as well.

H.264 is a new video compression standard that has more advanced compression methods than MPEG-4 compression. Better yet, playback of H.264 is more fluent than that of MP4 while it requires less bit rate and owns smaller file size than MP4. That’s the reason why people prefer to convert MP4 to H.264.

Part 2. How to Convert MP4 to H.264 with Fastest MP4 to H.264 Converter Software in PC?

To convert MP4 to H.264, there are some more useful software that is designed specifically for converting MP4 to H.264. And Leawo Video Converter is one of the fastest videos converters for MP4 to H.264. Comparing to the online converters, it is more user-friendly and easier to be operated, even if there is no internet. With Leawo Video Converter, you can almost convert MP4 to H.264 as soon as possible and it is feasible for you get much more fun in converting and editing your H.264 file if you apply all the technics of the Leawo video converting software skillfully. And there is user guide step by step in detail so that you can easily get it.

  • Leawo Video Converter
  • Leawo Video Converter

    1. Convert video and audio files between 180+ formats without quality loss
    2. Support 720P, 1080P and even real 4K video output
    3. Create photo slideshows from photos stored on camera, computer, camcorder, etc
    4. Built-in video editor to trim, crop, add watermark, apply special effect, etc
    5. 2D to 3D converter with 6 different 3D movie effects available

Step 1. Download Leawo Video Converter and set it up

Click on the "Add Video" on the bar of the software, or directly drag MP4 videos which need to be converted to H.264 to the program.

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Note: if there are several MP4 videos to be converted together, you can click "merge all files to one" (next to the green Convert button) and make all the separate videos into one.

Step 2. Choose H.264 video as the Output Format

Open the drop-down box on the category bar and then click the "Change" button and go to the "Profile" panel, and you could select H.264 Video as the output format.

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Step 3. Convert the selected videos of MP4 to H.264

Back to the main interface and click on "Convert" button. On the popup sidebar, set a directory path to save the output H.264 video files. Then click the bottom "Convert" button to start converting the video from MP4 to H.264. And when 100% complete, you click "Finish" and then get a H.264 video.

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Part 3. How to Convert MP4 to H.264 with Online Free Video Converter?

When talking about converting MP4 to H.264, to search some free online video converters may come to our mind. And there are indeed so many MP4 to H.264 converters online that can help us get a video file of H.264 by converting MP4 online for free. And I would like to make a brief list of some popular ones here for reference.

Some useful MP4 to H.264 online converters for free


(1) Freemake Video Converter: H.264 is a popular video codec supported by majority video players and TVs. With free Freemake Video Converter you can convert any video including MP4 to H.264 in simple steps for free.

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(2)Online-Convert: This MP4 to H.264 converter, optimized for high quality and is free to use, lets you easily convert mp4 video files to the H.264 format. Upload your video file or provide a link to a video file to convert your video online to H.264.

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(3)Bear File Converter: free online converters that can convert video file format uploaded or from file URL in mp4 to H.264. But this site does not store user uploaded files, all uploaded and converted files will be automatically deleted after 2 hours.

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(4)Convert-Video-Online: a free web app that converts video files, like MP4 to H.264, allowing you to change the video format, resolution or size right in your browser.

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Simple steps to convert MP4 to H.264 with MP4 to H.264 online converter free

Here I would like to take Convert-Video-Online as an example to show you simple steps to convert MP4 to H.264.

Step 1. Click "Open file" to upload your MP4 video or copy the video URL

Step 2. Choose the output format and set the parameters of the video

Step 3. Click the button "Convert" below, when the conversion complete, click Download, then you will get the final converted version H.264.

Although online MP4 to H.264 converters are free to use, they sometimes disappointed me when I used them. As a online converter, the conversion process will not be stable and there are annoying ads. You may be led to other websites automatically without your permission. What's more, some may only allow you to convert files for limited times.

Part 4. How to Convert MP4 to H.264 with MP4 to H.264 Converter on Phone?

Apart from converting MP4 to H.264 with computer, you can also finish this conversion on your mobile phone. Here I would like to recommend you a converter app for your information.

Video Converter Android is one of the most well-received tools you could ever download if you are a big fan of enjoying videos from various resources. With over 5 million installs in Google Play, this application is indeed what you need. Furthermore, this Android video converter app can recognize almost all video formats such as WEBM, WMV, MPG, FLV, AVI, DIVX, MOV, DAV and many more. Steps to convert MP4 to H.264 online are as follows:

Step 1. Download Video Converter Android in Google Play Store on your mobile device.

Step 2. Import the H.264 video you want to convert..

Step 3. At Output format, choose Raw H.264 Video Files (.264).

Step 4. Click Convert to start the conversion process.

Part 5. FAQ of Converting MP4 to H.264

Know more about MP4 and H.264 in the following part.

  • 1. Can H.264 be played everywhere?
    Although HEVC enjoys higher compression rate, it's limited supported on iOS 11, macOS High Sierra or later, Windows 10 etc. But there is still solution for you to play H.264 in Windows Media Player.
  • 2. Why converted file cannot be played?
    Your video file doesn’t play on Android phones and computers. You tried converting it to MP4 format and used compatible Media Player but to no benefit. Chances are that video has turned corrupted.
  • 3. Does H 264 reduce quality?
    264 can compress across multiple frames and find what stays the same over time, it can more intelligently reduce bitrate without impacting quality.