In the multimedia digital world, MPG and MP4 are everywhere. No matter we watch online videos or download videos for offline streaming, these formats are very common to see and we seldom spare time studying the difference between MPG and MP4. It is true for average users, the difference is not important and we don’t care much about it but what we do care about is which one is better for video streaming and has better quality. In this article, we will talk about the comparison between MPG and MP4. Read on!

Part 1: Is it better to save video as MPG or MP4 file?

Generally we cannot answer this question with an absolute A or B but we must first understand what MPG and MP4 are and their applications respectively. In that case, we can offer a better suggestion for which one is better to choose for specific scenarios.

MPG is a commonly used digital video format standardized by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). .mpg is one of a number of file extensions for MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio and video compression. Both .mpg or .mpeg are most commonly used for compressed video content with sound. The MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 is standard for lossy compression of video and audio. Lossy compression means that while saving a file, there is a slight loss of quality due to compression. They are commonly accepted on various platforms, especially for creating movies that are distributed on the Internet. In short, .mpg will compromise on quality in an attempt to reduce file size so that it will take less space for data storage.

MP4 is a container format, which is developed based on Apple’s MOV file type. MPEG-4 Part 12 was developed from Apple’s MOV file and eventually resulted in MPEG-4 Part 14, which is the MP4 format. As a container format, MP4 can be used to store audio and/or video data. Like MPG, MP4 video and audio can also be streamed over the internet. It is widely supported on various platforms but makes sure that the application to open the MP4 file must be able to recognize both the video and audio codec in order to play the media.

mpg-mp4

Overall, if you are looking to save the file without making many edits, lossy compression .mpg will be a good choice as it takes less space for data storage but if you will constantly make edits to the original file, it is not recommended to save the file in .mpg because it will lose quality more or less each time you re-save the file.

Likewise, if you save the video as .mp4, make sure your applications to open the files can recognize both the video and audio codec in order to play the media.

Part 2: How to convert MPG to MP4?

As we know there are differences between MPG and MP4, we will encounter such scenarios where we want to convert both formats from one to another during applications. In this case, it will be easy to perform the task with the help of Leawo Video Converter Ultimate. This is a program suite incorporating functions of conversion, download, burn, etc.

Specifically speaking, this program suite will be able to convert and download videos/audios; burn videos to DVD/Blu-ray, rip and convert Blu-ray/DVD to videos; create 3D movies; edit and play media files, etc. Within one program, you will get the most out of it no matter you want to convert videos from one format to another or you would like to burn any video files to DVD.

Moreover, powered by advanced technologies such as GPU-accelerating technology, advanced decoding, and encoding technology, Leawo Video Converter Ultimate guarantees a fast conversion and burning speed. Over 180 video and audio formats are supported, making the conversion much easier to achieve. Basically, it will ensure quality lossless conversion which means the output quality will be 100% preserved as the original file. Now let’s take a look at how this program works to convert MPG to MP4 and vice versa.

  • Leawo Video Converter Ultimate
  • Leawo Video Converter Ultimate

    Convert Any Videos and Audios
    Output for Any Apple and Android Devices
    Download Videos and Audios from 1000+ Sites
    Professional Photo Slideshow Maker and Burner
    Greatly Enhance Blu-ray/DVD/Video Output Effects

Step 1: Install the program suite onto the PC

Click the button above to download and install the program suite. Hit the Video Converter icon to enter the conversion page.

Run-Leawo-Video-Converter-Ultimate-on-your-computer

Step 2: Import the source MPG or MP4 files to the program

Click Add Video from the toolbar to import the source video files to the program. If you prefer to drag and drop source files to the program, just do it.

vcu-add-video

Step 3: Change the output format to the target one

Click Change under the format dropdown menu and you will be able to select the target output format from the Profile pane. On the left quick-search bar, you can enter the keywords to locate the target format quickly.

vcu-set-output-format

Step 4: Edit the video before conversion

Click the editing icon to enter the editing window, where you will be able to trim the video length, crop the video size, add watermark, remove noise and even create 3D effects to the original video file.

editing

Step 5: Set a directory to save the output file and convert the file

Click the Convert button from the toolbar and before the conversion takes place, you will be asked to set a directory to save the output file, and then you hit the Convert button at the bottom of the sidebar to start conversion. Once the process completes, you will find the converted file under the directory you set. Up to now, MPG to MP4 or MP4 to MPG conversion is successfully done.

choose-output-directory-to-save-the-output-files

Part 3: How to play MPG/MP4 files on PC easily

Surely, if you are looking for an ultimate media player to be able to playback both MPG and MP4 files, Leawo Free Blu-ray Player is the right program to use. This media player is free and it supports Blu-rays, DVDs, ISO image files, DVD folders, 4K HD videos, and other media files. Basically, it plays everything. It comes equipped with strong decoding features by default to ensure all region codes can be successfully and easily decoded. A number of custom features are provided to make sure this media player is exactly what you expect and brings you the most exciting experience to watch movies.

To upgrade the freeware to a premium version, users can make this program a .mkv converter in parallel. Having said that, if you want to convert your Blu-rays or DVDs to MKV, the premium version will allow you to do so with ease.

Now comes to the step-by-step guide to play MPG or MP4 files on PC with Leawo Blu-ray Player freeware.

Step 1: Install the lightweight media player to your PC

Click the button below to download and install the lightweight media player to the PC. If you are running on Mac, click to install the Mac version instead.

Step 2: Load the MPG or MP4 files to the media player

Click the Open File button from the home interface to load the source files to the player. Files loaded will immediately be shown on the playlist.

blu-ray-player

Step 3: Edit the playback options

Click the gear-like button to enter the settings window, where you will be able to set subtitles, video and audio parameters, and the like. If you are watching the movie while you want to edit the playback options, right-click to enter the settings window.

playback-setting

Step 4: Play back MPG or MP4 files

Hit the playback button to start playing back the files. The home theater movie experience will be enjoyable. You will have so much fun from it!

edit-the-playback-settings

Conclusion

To sum up, MPG and MP4 are two commonly used media formats, both of which share similarities and differences. In terms of differences, MPG and MP4 file size is quite different because MPG is a lossy compression format, saving video file to smaller file size and reducing space for data storage. This is good for file exchange over the internet but on contrast, reducing file quality as a consequence. MP4 comes from MOV and requires the application to open this container format with the ability to recognize both the video and audio codec in order to play the media. MPG and MP4 file quality can vary due to different file sizes.

In the final sections, we share two powerful programs to let users freely convert MPG and MP4 between each other without quality loss. Thanks to Leawo Video Converter Ultimate, this task can be fulfilled perfectly. By the way, we have also shared a media player to playback MPG and MP4 with the best quality ever. Leawo Blu-ray Player ranks top in the industry and it deserves increasing popularity among users across the globe. A movie night with Leawo Blu-ray Player could not be better, especially when you have a 4K display in place!