MP4 is a container that contains various kinds of data, so when there is a problem opening the file, it usually means that data in the container (an audio or video codec) is not compatible with the device’s OS.

On some devices, particularly mobile, opening this file type can be problematic. On Windows, it opens in Windows Media Player. There is no need for third-party software. Simply double-clicking the file opens it. MP4 files open in the operating system's default video player. Many consider MP4 to be one of the best video formats available today. It is also a popular video format for streaming over the Internet, such as on YouTube.

It is compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, using a codec to compress file size, resulting in a file that is easy to manage and store. MPEG-4 (MP4) is a container video format that can store multimedia data, usually audio and video. Apple did not develop these technologies and they do not open in QuickTime. These file types are unrelated, with one being obsolete and the other related to an online game. They are AutoCAD AutoFlix and ROSE Online. Note that two other file types also use the MOV extension. If unable to open a MOV file with QuickTime, then use VLC media player, which works across many platforms, including mobile. If the MOV file is Version 2.0 or earlier, then it can open with Windows Media Player, but more-recent versions will not open in this player. One of its defining features is that it stores data in movie “ atoms” and “tracks” that makes highly-specific editing of the files possible.īy default, a MOV file opens with QuickTime. It is known for being useful for saving multimedia files to a user’s device. Apple QuickTime (MOV) is a container that can hold various types of multimedia files, including 3D and virtual reality (VR).

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