Saving your Movie Maker file (often a .wlmp project file) as an MP4 is crucial for sharing and playing your creation on a wider range of devices. While Movie Maker doesn’t directly export to MP4, several reliable methods exist to achieve this universal format compatibility.
Understanding the Challenge: Movie Maker and MP4
Movie Maker, a once-popular video editing program, has limitations when it comes to direct export options. Its native project file, .wlmp, is merely a project file – a set of instructions for Movie Maker. It’s not a playable video file. To create a shareable video, you need to render or export your project into a video format. While Movie Maker often defaults to formats like WMV (Windows Media Video), MP4 offers superior compatibility across platforms, devices, and online services.
Methods for Saving Your Movie Maker Project as MP4
There are two primary ways to convert your Movie Maker project to MP4:
1. Rendering and Converting with Movie Maker
This method involves exporting your project in a format Movie Maker does support, and then using a video converter to transform that output into an MP4 file.
Step 1: Exporting to a Compatible Format (WMV Recommended)
- Open your
.wlmpproject file in Movie Maker. - Click “File” and then “Save Movie.”
- You’ll see various preset options, such as “For Computer,” “For Email,” etc. These presets essentially control the video resolution, bitrate, and frame rate. Choose one that best suits your needs (e.g., “For Computer” or “High-Definition display”). For broader compatibility, selecting a lower resolution might be preferable.
- Important: Click the small arrow next to these presets to access “Create custom setting.” This allows you fine-tune the export settings, such as setting the resolution to 1280×720 (720p) or 1920×1080 (1080p). Higher resolutions result in larger file sizes and require more processing power.
- Select WMV as the file format and specify a location to save the exported video.
- Click “Save.” The rendering process will begin, which might take some time depending on the complexity and length of your project.
Step 2: Converting the WMV File to MP4
Once the WMV file is created, you’ll need a video converter to transform it into MP4. Numerous free and paid options are available:
- VLC Media Player: A versatile and free media player that also includes basic video conversion capabilities.
- Open VLC.
- Go to “Media” and select “Convert / Save.”
- Add the WMV file you exported from Movie Maker.
- Click “Convert / Save.”
- Choose “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)” as the profile.
- Specify the destination file and click “Start.”
- Handbrake: A powerful and open-source video transcoder suitable for advanced users. It offers extensive customization options.
- Download and install Handbrake.
- Open Handbrake and select the WMV file.
- Choose “MP4” as the container format.
- Select a preset or adjust settings like resolution, frame rate, and bitrate.
- Specify the destination file and click “Start Encode.”
- Online Video Converters: Websites like CloudConvert and Convertio offer convenient online conversion services. However, be cautious about uploading sensitive videos to these platforms, and consider the potential for slower conversion speeds.
2. Using Alternative Video Editing Software
If you frequently need to export to MP4, migrating to a more modern video editing program is a worthwhile investment. These alternatives typically offer direct MP4 export and a broader range of features:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free and Studio Versions): A professional-grade video editor with powerful color correction and editing tools. The free version is surprisingly capable.
- OpenShot Video Editor: A user-friendly, open-source option that’s easy to learn and supports MP4 export.
- HitFilm Express (Free and Paid Versions): Offers a balance of ease of use and advanced features, including visual effects.
- Adobe Premiere Pro: The industry standard, offering unparalleled power and flexibility, but comes with a subscription cost.
By importing your Movie Maker project assets (video clips, images, audio) into one of these programs, you can re-edit your project and export directly to MP4. While this might require some learning, the long-term benefits in terms of flexibility and format support are significant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why can’t Movie Maker directly save as MP4?
A1: Movie Maker was designed before MP4 became the dominant video format. Its development has been discontinued, meaning it hasn’t been updated to support newer codecs and file formats.
Q2: What are the best settings for exporting to MP4 for YouTube?
A2: For YouTube, aim for a resolution of 1920×1080 (1080p) or 1280×720 (720p). The frame rate should match the source footage (typically 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps). Use the H.264 codec and AAC audio codec. A bitrate of 8-12 Mbps is generally recommended for 1080p.
Q3: Will converting to MP4 reduce the video quality?
A3: Yes, video conversion always involves some degree of quality loss, especially if you’re reducing the bitrate or resolution. To minimize quality loss, use a high bitrate, choose the H.264 codec, and maintain the original resolution and frame rate if possible.
Q4: Is it legal to convert a WMV file to MP4?
A4: Yes, converting between video formats for personal use is generally legal. However, be mindful of copyright restrictions if you’re converting copyrighted material.
Q5: How do I know what bitrate to use when converting to MP4?
A5: The appropriate bitrate depends on the resolution and frame rate of your video. Higher resolutions and frame rates require higher bitrates. Use video encoding guides available online to find recommended bitrates for your specific settings.
Q6: What’s the difference between H.264 and H.265 (HEVC)?
A6: H.264 is a widely supported video codec, while H.265 (HEVC) is a newer codec that offers better compression efficiency. H.265 can achieve similar video quality at a lower bitrate than H.264. However, H.265 requires more processing power and may not be supported by all devices.
Q7: Why is my converted MP4 file so large?
A7: The file size depends on the resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and duration of the video. Higher values for these parameters result in larger files. You can reduce the file size by lowering the bitrate or resolution during conversion.
Q8: Can I convert WLMP directly to MP4 without exporting to WMV first?
A8: No, you cannot directly convert a .wlmp file to MP4 without using Movie Maker (or another video editor) to render it into a playable video format like WMV first. The .wlmp file is just a project file, not a video file.
Q9: What if the video converter doesn’t recognize the WMV file?
A9: Ensure the WMV file is not corrupted. Try playing it in Windows Media Player to verify it’s working. If it plays, try a different video converter. Updating the video converter software may also resolve compatibility issues.
Q10: Is it possible to preserve the original quality of the video during conversion?
A10: While it’s impossible to perfectly preserve the original quality during conversion, you can minimize quality loss by using a high bitrate and avoiding any upscaling or downscaling of the resolution. Using a lossless codec (though resulting in very large file sizes) would be closest to preserving original quality, but it’s not practical for general use.
Q11: Which is the easiest video converter to use for MP4 conversion?
A11: For beginners, VLC Media Player offers a relatively straightforward conversion process. Online video converters are also convenient, but be mindful of security concerns. Handbrake is a good option for more advanced users who want greater control over the conversion settings.
Q12: My video has audio issues after converting to MP4. How can I fix it?
A12: This can happen due to incorrect audio codec settings. Ensure the audio codec is set to AAC during conversion. Also, check the audio bitrate and sample rate. If the audio sounds distorted, try adjusting these parameters. Some video converters allow you to adjust the audio volume levels as well.