Video technology continues to evolve with each year. People used to make home movies on camcorders stored on VHS tapes. Videos were eventually shared in DVD format and now people post content online right from their smartphones.

Modern video is often created and stored in MP4 format. This allows for easy sharing and access across almost any device. You can learn more about what MP4 file format is, the differences between DVDs and MP4s, and how all of this relates to your home movies.

What is MP4 Format?

Information across the web is stored in different formats. You can store documents in PDF form and photos in JPEG or PNG format. When a smartphone or computer reads the type of format that a file is stored in, it knows how to open the file to access it. This is why your computer doesn’t open a PDF with iTunes or Microsoft Paint. 

Videos also come with unique formatting options. When a computer sees that a file is stored as an MP3 or MP4, it knows the information is either in music or video format. These files allow you to keep much information in a smaller size, so a single video or song doesn’t fill up your entire storage space. 

MP4 is no different from MP3. However, the MP4 format is the more modern for creating and storing video files. Both MP4 and MP3 files can be accessed on almost any device. If you are considering transferring video content from VHS or 8 mm format, you will likely receive your content in MP4 files.  

Can I Convert Home Movies Into MP4 Format?

Yes, you can convert your home movies into MP4 format. It doesn’t matter if you have them stored in VHS tapes, 8mm, Betamax, or any other file type. Our video transfer service team at Memory Fortress can access your content and turn it into MP4 format.

If you have several home memories that you want to preserve, consider storing them in MP4 format. Opting for MP4 format to upgrade your home videos has multiple benefits. 

  1. You don’t have to worry about the footage deteriorating. VHS tapes break down over time, which means you could lose your precious memories no matter how carefully you store them. 
  2. You can share memories easily with friends and family members. It’s possible that some relatives haven’t seen these videos since you took the footage ages ago. 
  3. Your home videos won’t take up as much space. Some people prefer to keep their old tapes as backup storage, while other customers are happy to declutter their homes by storing videos online.   
  4. You can retain access to your files no matter how technology improves. You don’t have to worry about your video becoming too outdated to watch. 

You don’t have to keep technology on hand to access the memories. We often receive boxes of tapes from customers who haven’t had a VHS player in their homes in years. They usually don’t know what is on the videos because they cannot watch them. By transferring these videos into MP4 format, we can give people back their memories.

Should I Choose DVD or MP4 Format?

Another common question customers have regarding the video conversion process is whether it is better to store files in DVD or MP4 format. Ultimately the choice is yours. We offer customers the option of DVD, MP4 formatting, or both. Please look at the pros and cons of each before choosing the best choice for your needs. 

One of the main benefits of choosing a DVD format to transfer your files is that most people are already familiar with it. If you have a DVD player, you can easily watch your videos at home whenever you want. DVDs also take up less space than VHS tapes and other older video files, so that this option will save storage space. 

However, MP4 files have the same benefits of choosing DVD format – and then some. MP4 files take up even less space than DVDs and can be accessed on almost any computer or smartphone device. You won’t have to worry about keeping a DVD player in your home to watch your memories. 

MP4 files are also sharable. You can send family videos via email or upload them to YouTube and other social media sites. This means your memories aren’t just preserved in your home but in the personal files of your friends and relatives as well.

How Much Does it Cost to Convert Files to MP4 Format?

If you’d like to start a video conversion project, just look at Memory Fortress’s pricing and order process. You can order only $29 to alert our team that your videos are coming. Our minimum order size is $99, including a $15 processing fee. 

You can estimate the cost of converting VHS tapes into DVD or MP4 format by counting the number of videos and tapes you have. We charge by the tape on a sliding scale. The more tapes you want to convert, the more you can save on your project. 

For example, the cost to scan up to 10 tapes and turn them into DVD format is $18 per tape. If you have close to 20 videos, the price drops to $17 per tape, and so on, until you exceed 100. 

If you want to convert your tapes to MP4 format along with the standard DVD transfer, budget $4 per tape for an MP4 deliverable. More than 85 percent of our customers convert their files to MP4 format when they update old videotapes, so you can see how popular this option is. 

This process lets you know how much your video transfer project will cost before you ship your tapes and memories to our office.  

Start Your Video Transfer Project With Memory Fortress

If you’d like to transfer your old VHS tapes and other videos into a more modern format, you can work with Memory Fortress. We have the technology to turn almost any video format into DVD and MP4 files.

Our team can also work efficiently to deliver your digital files and original footage back to you within five to ten business days. 

Don’t wait to start your digitization project. You don’t want to risk any potential damage or decay of your video memories. Start your order and prepare your videos for shipping.

We digitize everything right here at our facility in metro Atlanta, processed by US citizens.

MP4 Format FAQs

What is the MP4 Format?

The MP4 format, MPEG-4 Part 14, is a digital multimedia container format most commonly used to store video and audio. However, it can also store other data, such as subtitles and still images. Its official filename extension is .mp4, but it's often used with other extensions like .m4a and .m4p. Developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), it’s a versatile format recognized for its ability to compress files without significant loss in quality.

Key Points:
MP4 is a digital multimedia container format.
It is primarily used for storing video and audio.
The format was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG).

Why is MP4 a popular choice for videos?

MP4 is widely regarded for its flexibility and efficiency. It's a preferred choice because it can store audio, video, subtitles, and images in one file. This format is also highly compatible with many devices and platforms, from smartphones and tablets to desktop computers. Moreover, its advanced compression methods allow for high-quality videos with relatively little storage space.

Key Points:
MP4 can store multiple types of data in one file.
It is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms.
MP4 offers advanced compression without compromising much on quality.

How does MP4 compare to other formats like AVI or MKV?

MP4, AVI, and MKV are all multimedia container formats, meaning they can store video, audio, and other data. However, they differ in compatibility and usage. While AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is an older format with less compression capability, it is widely supported due to its age. MKV (Matroska) is known for storing multiple audio and subtitle tracks in one file, making it preferred for movies or shows in different languages. MP4 stands out for its universal compatibility and balance between file size and quality.

Key Points:
AVI, MKV, and MP4 are all container formats.
MKV is preferred for storing multiple audio and subtitle tracks.
MP4 is universally compatible and balances quality with file size.

Can MP4 files be easily edited and manipulated?

Yes, MP4 files are conducive to editing and manipulation. Due to its widespread adoption, numerous free and paid software options are available for editing MP4 files. These tools allow for cutting, trimming, adding effects, and encoding. However, like any format, the ease of editing also depends on the software and the complexity of the desired edits.

Key Points:
MP4 files are suitable for editing.
Various software tools are available for MP4 file editing.
The ease of editing depends on the software and the nature of the edits.

What are the limitations of the MP4 format?

While MP4 is a versatile and popular format, it does have some limitations. One notable limitation is its susceptibility to corruption. If an MP4 file is interrupted during download or transfer, it can quickly become unplayable. Additionally, while it offers good compression, there may be better choices for extremely high-quality professional recordings where every detail is crucial. Lastly, particular codecs used within the MP4 container might need to be supported on older devices or platforms.

Key Points:
MP4 files can become corrupt if interrupted during transfer.
There might be better choices for extremely high-quality recordings.
Some codecs within the MP4 format may not be compatible with older devices.

2180 Satellite Blvd Suite 400 Duluth, GA 30097
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, Sundayclosed
+1-678-579-2249

Local Atlanta walk-in customers MUST have an appointment for prompt service. This applies to both dropping off materials, and picking up materials as well.