Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:31 am
Before we look at how to convert MXF to MP4 free, let’s take a few minutes to learn about the MXF video format, especially if you aren’t familiar with it.
MXF Basics
MXF stands for Material Exchange Format. It doesn’t sound like it’s related to video, does it?
MXF is a video container format like MP4 or MOV.
Is MXF Better than MP4?
MXF is not really better than MP4 in terms of quality. MP4 can match MXF in terms of resolution. It all depends on how the files are encoded.
MXF certainly has an edge in some areas.
Apart from carrying video, audio and text content, it boasts timecode support.
In short, an MXF file is very much like a video tape, only that it’s in a digital format.
MXF also features a comprehensive metadata wrapper. As such, it can carry extensive file details.
Pro-level video cameras like Sony XDCAM, Panasonic HVX200 and Canon XF305 record directly in the MXF format.
Other MXF Benefits
- MXF container format supports lossless RAW video. This is helpful for professional video production.
- It offers support for SMPTE timecode (each video or film frame is labelled with a timecode)
MXF File Drawbacks
Corrupted Files
Despite its many advantages, MXF has its drawbacks.
With MXF, you can end up with a corrupted, unreadable video file. This happens when you’re recording video and suddenly your camera switches off because your battery runs out of power.
Your video file ends up unfinalized.
MP4 has the same problem. However, you can quite easily fix a corrupted MP4 with common video repair tools.
With MXF you would have to repair the corrupted metadata manually through a professional video repair service.
Limited Video Editing Support
For another, ordinary video editing applications don’t support it. MXF is only compatible with professional video editing applications like AVID Media Composer, Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
If you’re using a basic video editing software like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie, you can’t directly import an MXF file into its timeline to start editing.
The workaround is to convert MXF to a popular video format like MP4.
Converting MXF to MP4 also allows you to easily play the file over smartphones, tablets and computers with a basic media player.
Convert MXF to MP4 Free
The good news is you can convert MXF to MP4 free with these video converters.
VLC Media Player
You may know VLC as a versatile media player. It has another side – a good video converter. Yes, you can convert MXF to MP4 free with it, within a few clicks of the mouse.
If you’ve VLC installed on your computer, use it first to convert MXF to MP4 free before you use any other options.
Here’s how to convert MXF to MP4 free.
#1. Launch VLC and choose Media and Choose Convert/Save.
When a new window pops up choose + Add. Then navigate to the folder where your MXF file is located.
After your MXF file is loaded, hit the Convert/Save button at the bottom of the window.
Choose MP4 and then hit the Browse button to name your converted file.
Proceed to choose your folder and name the file. Then hit Save.
Then hit the Start button to start the conversion.
Your MP4 file will be saved in your chosen directory. You can see that the file has been converted into MP4.
Handbrake
Handbrake is well-known as the swiss knife of video converters. It can convert MXF to MP4 free and it works for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Download Handbrake if you don’t already have it.
Handbrake is easy to use. On launching the program, all you have to do is drag and drop your MXF file into the program interface.
When a new window opens select MP4 as the output format. Usually it’s selected for you by default. The next thing is you want to choose a folder for your output file.
After doing that just hit Start Encode as shown in the screenshot below.
Conversion of MXF to MP4 begins. You can find your converted MP4 file in the folder you’ve selected.
You’ve seen two easy ways on how to convert MXF to MP4 free.
