The MP4 format plays an increasingly important role in both downloading and playing video from the Internet, especially on mobile devices. Why? Simply put, MP4 allows for high-quality video to be delivered in a smaller size.
If the video isn’t in the MP4 format, it can be converted, and we’ll help you learn how to choose an MP4 converter, or even a free video to MP4 converter.
Digital technologies have created an explosion of video communications. People now have high-definition (HD) video cameras in their smartphones and can upload and share videos on social websites. Traditional broadcasters, cable outlets, and Hollywood studios are extending their reach through the Internet. Many online service providers are competing for their niche in this new world of online video.
As we become more reliant on these technologies, the MP4 format helps enable nearly everyone to be both a creator and a consumer of video applications. MP4 files also permit faster, more efficient distribution over the Internet.
HOW TO DOWNLOAD MP4 VIDEOS
There are certainly other ways to download MP4 videos available online, but RealPlayer makes it easy in as little as one click, and it’s free. Just about any content you can think of is available online. Whether you’re looking to download MP4 videos, MP4 music videos, YouTube videos as mp4, how-to’s, network TV shows, cute animal videos, sports, science, politics, the arts, corporate training or whatever – it can all be found online.
| Download MP4 Videos |
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RealPlayer offers a one-click solution to downloading MP4 videos. Once you’ve installed a free version of RealPlayer, simply watch the MP4 video online, hover over the top right corner of the video as it’s playing and click on the Download This Video option. |
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A word of caution: Be skeptical of websites offering free movie downloads, particularly of recent films. Hollywood isn’t in the business of giving away product.
Say you want to see the latest movie previews, referred to as trailers, before deciding to spend money at the theater. Not a problem. The major movie studios need to market their product, so they provide trailers, along with interviews and other background material to a number of websites to help sell their films.
ComingSoon, Fandango, Metacafe, and Traileraddict are just a few that offer access to watching and downloading MP4 movie trailers.
RealPlayer downloads MP4 files fast and easy.
- Go to the website
- Select and play the video
- Place the cursor within the video frame
- A box reading “Download This Video” pops up in the upper right, above the video frame
- Click on it
- RealPlayer Downloader window opens and shows the progress of saving the video
- The video is automatically saved in the Library
You’re done.
RealPlayer automatically prompts you to "Download This Video" when the cursor is within the frame of a video.
HOW TO PLAY MP4 VIDEOS
If you are looking for software to play mp4 files, it’s simple to play a MP4 download with the free RealPlayer.
Once you have the free application, double-clicking on the thumbnail in the RealPlayer Library opens the Now Playing window and plays the video in its native format and resolution. The “mp4” format identification is shown in the bottom right of the control bar.
Get more details about the clip by right-clicking on the thumbnail and selecting “Clip Info/Edit Clip Info.” It confirms the title, MP4 format, file size, quality (as Kbps), audio channels, screen dimensions, source, and where the file is stored.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE WATCHING ON THE WEB IS MP4?
Unfortunately, you often don’t. Although many social sites accept and encourage people to upload videos in the MP4 format, ultimately it’s at the discretion of the website. Flash (FLV) is still widely used on all types of sites. Commercial sites use what’s most economical and best for business. More and more that is MP4.
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Superb
Thanks
I downloaded the latest RealPlayer release around June 15th and most .mp4 format files -mostly You Tube- are not playable. I had no problem with the previous version of RealPlayer.
Hmmm… Today is June 12th. Do you mean Version 15? I think that’s the most current, but could be wrong about that.
Apparently there have been some reports of difficulties with MP4 files. Typically, it runs fine though.
One of RealPlayer Support’s suggestions is to add additional codecs such as Apple QuickTime or CCCP
I’m running v. 15, and have never had a problem with downloading or playing MP4 from any source. I do have both QuickTime and CCCP installed for various testing and comparison reasons.
Let us know if you find a solution, or are still having trouble.
…TV
It’d be good to do the same with Android version.
Check RealPlayer Android or info at Google Play. Maybe it’s already there.
…TV
Now my real player cannot dowload the file as .MP4. when i choose 1080P on youtube the real player still dowload as low quality. how to dowload the mp4 file from youtube by real player … TT
You got me! RP should download and play 1080p as 1080p. Try the usual routine of uninstalling all your RP apps, then download and install fresh versions. Install QuickTime while you’re at it. Can’t hurt.
Just to go through the motions, select the highest resolution for the clip at the very start.
…TV
I just do as you suggest but RP still download the 1080p and 720p as .flv . First time i got this laptop and installed RP it can download the file as .mp4 but after auomatic installing windows and wmp is unusal , RP is back to download all the file as .flv! How should i do? TT
I don’t know what the relationship between installing Windows and WMP has to do with downloading MP4 vs. FLV. That said, FLV is a file format container that can run H.264, which is the most popular codec on the Internet, and can indeed play 1080p and 720p HD video. You should be able to download and play a FLV 1080p or 720p HD. It would be unusual to have the choice of downloading a specific format. There certainly are sites where you can choose a format and even the codec, but most sites stick to a format, offering different resolution qualities.
What site are you downloading from? Is there something wrong with the FLV version of the video? I personally prefer MP4 because it’s from the MPEG-4 standard, but Flash with H.264 should be OK. What is the problem you’re having in playing FLV? Is QuickTime installed?
…TV
this really works it is really quick
Yeah, MP4/H.264 is very nice. It has become the most popular file former/codec combinations on the Internet. Look for a greatly improved codec, H.265 aka HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) to begin making wide ranging inroads, especially for mobile devices in early 2013. Also, check out Vimeo and YouTube for special 4k (4 times more resolution than 1080p) content using H.265.
…TV
I have RP version 15.0.6 and it will NOT play mp4 files downloaded from youtube. It just freezes and I have to restart the computer, which is a HUGE pain. Sould I get a mp4 to flv converter? If so, which one is best? Thanks.
Just a shot, but download and install QuickTime for Windows. QT seems to fix a number of MP4 issues with RealPlayer. I wouldn’t convert to FLV unless there was no other alternative. Let me know if it works.
…TV
I have RP v15.06.14, and when I download an FLV file and try to convert it for an iPod (MP4), I get a pop-up to upgrade to RP 16, but when I choose “No Thanks,” I get another pop-up that seems to be forcing me to get the “free” v16 and have to do some crap with Trial Pay.
How do I get around this and convert FLV to Mp4 so I can put it on my iPod?
SDW,
Download and install QuickTime for Windows. You’ll then be able to convert To and From MP4, along with handling the H.264 codec for transfers to Apple products. Prompts for Trail Play and/or RP Plus should go away.
Go ahead and update RealPlayer 15 to the free version 16. There are several additional features you’ll find useful and it won’t cost you anything.
…TV
I can’t get RP16 to play any MP-4 videos at all. I paid the extra money for the premium version of the program thinking that would solve my problems but I still can’t do it. That was a waste of $40!
I get a message “A general error has occurred.” It then tells me to upgrade my software to the latest version. According to the software I have the latest version.
Tried opening RealPlayer Converter and I get an error message there “Could not covert…”
What did I pay $40 for.
GDB,
You definitely should NOT have a problem playing MP4 files with RealPlayer 16 Plus. Plus also handles the H.264 codec, so conversions and transfers are also possible. These prompts to upgrade seem to happen every so often. Why, I don’t know. The only thing I can suggest is that you do a complete REinstall of RP 16+. Do an UNinstall of all RealPlayer software on your machine first, and Restart your machine. Then, download and install a fresh version of RealPlayer 16 Plus. Be sure to “Sign In” to activate PLUS.
If that doesn’t work for you, I’ll have to direct you to RealPlayer Support. You’ll have priority because you’ve paid for the premium version. Let us know how things go.
…TV
I downloaded RP last night and it wouldn’t download any video – even from YouTube. When I moved the cursor over the video area, no option popped up to start download. Do I need to get rid of pop-up blocker?
Also, assuming I get it to work, can I queue multiple videos to download after the present one is done downloading?
If you’re using Chrome, switch to Firefox or IE. There are known problems with Chrome, which are being worked on. Try doing a clean REinstall of RealPlayer. Be sure to UNinstall all RealPlayer applications you may have on your machine. Do a restart. Download and install a fresh version of RP 16. Hopefully, that will resolve the download issue. No, the pop-up blocker isn’t a factor.
Yes, you can download multiple videos. It’s not quite a “queue” in the typical sense, where you would select several videos, and then execute the downloads in a sequence where video 2 doesn’t start downloading until video 1 is done. With the Downloader, you select the video, click “Download This Video” then find the next video and repeat the process. Do this for as many videos as you want. The downloads take place simultaneously, depending on the speed of the Internet connection and your computer. You’ll see the progress of each in the Downloader window.
…TV
Hi Tom,
I left a comment yesterday here on my RP MP4 problem. However I don’t see the comment. Anyway as you suggested I uninstall RP and turnoff and restart my laptop and then I downloaded the latest version of RP but still not playing mp4 format. What else do you suggest to do? Please let me know I have very important videos and really need them. Please help.
Thanks!
Naomi,
There have been some problems with comments and responses being properly displayed. The techs are working on it.
For your MP4 problem, try installing QuickTime for Windows. That should both fix your MP4 playback problems, plus give you advanced conversion capabilities. This has been an ongoing problem with RealPlayers users being confused about MP4 playback and conversion capabilities.
If QT doesn’t work, get back to me. This problem exists wirg RP 15 and 16′ but RP 16 Plus should be fine. You just don’t need to spend the extra money for the MP4 feature.
…TV
Hi, thanks for the post.
Question: Why the *.mp4 don’t work when I want to display it on a HTML5 tag?
I’m using the correct code to display it
Thanks
Hi Alexandra,
Videos downloaded from an HTML5 site will have the file extension .webm. To play a .webm file you will need to download the codec:
1. Download codec from this link: http://code.google.com/p/webm/downloads/detail?name=webmdshow-0.9.12.0-20101216.zip&can=2&q=
2. Extract the contents of webmdshow-0.9.12.0-20101216.zip
3. Install using the file Install_webmdshow.exe
This is an install package and will run once downloaded. If file does not run automatically, double-click it and the file will start installing.
If that doesn’t work, please send an email to help@real.com so that we can help further.
I spent a couple of days to install and uninstall Real Player many times without success. I saw your posting and hope that you can help. I installed Real Player 16 (free version) for my Windows 8 64 bit laptop and when I click on a MP4 file to play, I only get a pop up to tell me to upgrade to Plus. I clicked NO THANKS then I got another pop up for other promotion. I clicked close and then I am back to the original library list. This is in a loop that no matter how many times I tried I am just getting the pop up. I contacted support and was told to install Quick Time and it will resolved the problem. I did that but my problem didn’t go away. But with Real Player 16, I can download video from web without problem, I just can’t play video. I then uninstall and install Real Player 15 instead and it plays mp4 no problem but won’t download video from the web. Can you help?
Hi Sue,
Sorry for the trouble, please make sure that the RealPlayer plug-in is enabled in your browser by following this link: http://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8883.
If that doesn’t help, send an email to help@real.com so that we can help further.
I just downloaded the new version of Real Player 16.0.1.18 and downloaded MP4 videos to my library but they do not play and also they do not convert to MP3 Audio ( uuuh obviously I know) like i was able to with ones downloaded as flv from Youtube.
How can i achieve what i want ie to play the videos in my realplayer or windows media and convert to music only for use on making my own videos.
Thanking you in advance.
Hi Alan,
Sorry for the inconvenience, our technical team is aware of this issue and currently working on it, however as a workaround please try this step.
Try installing QuickTime player by following this link: http://www.apple.com/quicktime
After installing QuickTime player re-download the video and try playing it on RealPlayer.
Please let us know your progress, and if you have additional questions, email us at help@real.com.
hi
yes I already have Quicktime installed.
In my Real Player downloads file in ‘My videos’ Windows file I notice that these files in detail view do not show up with the little ‘r’ mini logo against them like the Flash video files downloaded from Youtube, these Mpeg movie files have the Quick time mini logo against them. However they do not play in there either. it shows 00.00/0.00 in the time frame in quick time but in realplayer the relevant downloaded mp4 shows the player playing for the 5.01 time frame playing from 0.00 to 5.01 but nothing showing or sound .
Hi Alan,
Thank you for replying.
As I have mentioned already our technical team is aware of this issue and currently working on a global fix soon.
i downloaded a particular mp4 video from youtube and it will not play in any of my media players. other mp4s do play, so i wonder if this particular video is encoded in such a way that it cannot really be downloaded and played.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1qHVVbYG8Y as an example
Hi Ydaltak,
Sorry for the inconvenience, our technical team is aware of this issue and currently working on it, however as a workaround please try this step.
1) Make sure you are Signed into RealPlayer.
2) Ensure all updates are installed.
3) Still an issue, install Quick Time.
4) Redownload the MP4.
5) If file is from Camcorder – It may not work.
Please let us know your progress, and if you have additional questions, email us at help@real.com.
Hi,
I have noticed exactly the same problem asYdaltak. Basically all MP4 files downloaded from YouTube with RealDownloader are not playable with any of my media players (I have MediaPlayer, QuickTime and RealPlayer installed on my PC). With QT and RP there is only a black screen and no sound even though the progress bar indicates the the video is played and with MP there is an error message saying that Windows Media Player cannot play the file.
I also have another observation that may not be directly related with Real team, but maybe they can provide some comments on that too. I have several hundreds videos dowloaded from YouTube with earlier version on RealDownload and all those files are stored in Flash (FLV) format. Now when I download a video from YouTube it’s always stored in MP4 format and there is apparently no way to change the format at the RealDownloader. So the question is that has YouTube recently changed the format of all videos at their servers or are there some changes implemented the latest version of RealDownloader that prevent storing the videos in FLV format?
Many thanks for you assistance!
Hi Kozel,
Sorry for the inconvenience, our technical team is aware of this issue and currently working on it, however as a workaround please try this step.
Try installing K-Lite codec and QuickTime Player.
To install K-Lite codec:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/download/KLite-Codec-Pack_Full/1094057842/3
QuickTime Player:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
Use alternate browser or RealPlayer web browser to download videos.
Hi.
Having installed the latest version of RealPlayer I noted that on loading RealPlayer, home screen clicking the top left corner and selecting preferences the previous “Recording and Download” choice no longer appears at the bottom as previous, it only reads “Recording”.
However i did find that by opening Real Downloader the facility appears by clicking top left>preferences. Selecting the first box to have the download this video button appear on videos does not make the button appear. I have switched off and restarted and still no luck.
This worked last week and does not work since installing the latest Adobe flash player update yesterday.
My operating system is Widows XP with Internet Explorer 8.
In managing add-ons, Flash Player v 11.7.700.169 and RealNetworks Download and Record Plug-in for Internet Explorer v 1.3.1.2 are both enabled.
I have down loaded the K-lite codec full and on the download screen preferences changer the down load to “downloaded to Pc or Mac” and the button comes up but then the Realdownloader screen will not come up!!
Help !
Hi Alan,
Please send an email to help@real.com Include a brief description of the issue, and copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.
Hello.
Running windows 7 home premium 64 bit on an HP machine.
Within the past week or so, probably after a windows update, “Real Player” now refuses to play the audio of any FLV videos. Including those shown on the RP main library screen.
They all work just fine in winamp and VLC and a couple of other players as well as windows live movie maker, but not windows media player.
I have installed various codec packages including k-lite, which reported a couple of broken ones.
Did a system restore and a few other things and still no audio.
So what is the fix?
Thanks.
Hi Suwannee,
We’ll need to get more information about your setup. Please send an email to help@real.com so that we can help you further.
I have gone through the uninstall and reinstall process a few times with the latest version of Realplayer. I have downloaded 4 files now from youtube (mp4) and they are all the correct size. When I attempt to play through RP, they are blank video’s and no sound.?? Any suggestions?
Hi Steve,
Sorry for the inconvenience, our technical team is aware of this issue and currently working on it, however as a workaround please try this step.
https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9853
1. Open IE —> Tools —> Manage Add-ons —> Toolbars & Extensions —> Show All add-ons.
2. Disable Shockwave Flash Object
3. Close window
4. Go to http://www.youtube.com
5. It will prompt to ‘Upgrade Adpbe Flash Player’
6. Go through the process of updating Adobe Flash Player
7. Once completed, close & re-open IE
8. Go back to Manage Add-ons & ‘Enable’ Shockwave Flash Object
9. Close & re-open IE
10. Attempt to download. Now files should get downloaded in .FLV format.
If that doesn’t work, send an email to help@real.com so that we can help you further.
Hi!
After spending numerous days and hours am completely out of ideas what happened with Real Player download functionality.
Not so far it started download video files from sites what i used for year, in MP4 format without sound at all. Before, it was manage to download usually in FLV format. Not anymore…
Am running Windows 7 64 bit and all possible solutions was try already. Still not result. Weird thing made me curious, specially when i realize one particular video was downloaded in April 29 as FLV video and perfectly playable on everything’s, and after an upgrade for Real Player, it try to download it as MP4 on may 7h but not sound at all.
Here a link / http://youtu.be/aeouepHxNr8 /. Than i find same result with many other web sites what i used to download video clips with Real Player.
I install and reinstall numerous times both v.15 and 16 .Also used standalone dowloader. It still refuse to download/convert audio stream on MP4 files, downloaded from sites what work last cpl years before. I have latest K-Lite codec pack instated and also all last version from Adobe Flash Player. Everything enabled in Manage Add-on and Active X filtering turned off. Was tested on last versions of IE9 and IE10, with Firefox 21.0.
As i mention that , it happened in last cpl weeks after upgrading to last Adobe Flash and Real Player itself.
I was able using alternative software called YTD , to download same video on top of my post with much better quality and Audio #0 : AAC at 192 Kbps 2 channels, 44.1 KHz
Real Player at any settings download only video, even at website clip play sound perfect and it YouTube posted:
367 Kbps,640*360 (16:9) @29.970 fps, AVC (Main@L3.0)(Cabac /3 Ref Frames)
NO AUDIO.
Plz need help to clarify that. If it temporary problem and gonna be fixed by devs or permanent? Reason for that , because i cannot use YTD at some sites. Only Real Player was working and i been happy with that and really don’t like to see it become useless now. Thank you in advance.
Hi Alex,
Our technical team is aware of this issue and working on it. This issue will be resolved at the earliest.
If you have additional questions, email us at help@real.com.