DAVs and MP4s are two of the most common video formats used today. DAVs (Disk Archive Format) are video files created by certain types of camcorders, while MP4s (MPEG-4 Part 14) are a widely compatible compressed video format.
If you have DAV files that you want to convert to MP4 for better compatibility with media players, streaming services, social media platforms, and more, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide covers the key differences between DAV and MP4 formats. We will also recommend five top DAV to MP4 converters, and provide tips on repairing corrupt video files.
In this article
Part 1: Understanding the DAV and MP4 Formats: What is the Difference?
DAV is a special video format created for some JVC, Sony, and Canon camcorders in the 90s. It blends audio and video into one file with a .dv extension. DAV files offer high quality because of little compression and can be recorded straight to tape from a camcorder. However, they need particular software to play, edit, and convert them, limiting their compatibility.
MP4, short for MPEG-4 Part 14, is a compact and broadly compatible video format. It can merge audio, video, and subtitles into one .mp4 file. Its small size and universal codec support make it great for streaming and sharing. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and most modern media players and devices can play MP4 files.
The differences between DAV and MP4 can be summarized as:
- DAV has higher video quality but MP4 compresses more for smaller files.
- DAV has limited compatibility, MP4 has near universal device support.
- DAV is an older camcorder format, and MP4 is the current online video standard.
For these reasons, most users will want to convert their DAV footage to MP4 format. This allows them to edit video conveniently, share it online, and enjoy it on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and other devices.
Part 2: Top 5 DAV to MP4 Converter Tools without Losing Quality
When converting DAV footage to MP4, it's crucial to use software that retains the full quality while changing the video format. The best tools use passthrough encoding so there is no loss of visual data.
Here are 5 top-notch DAV to MP4 converter tool that you can try.
#1 VideoSolo Video Converter
VideoSolo Video Converter is an easy-to-use program that converts DAV files to MP4 seamlessly. It provides specialized presets for DAV to MP4 conversion and applies no destructive compression.
Follow these steps to convert the DAV file to MP4 using VideoSolo:
Step 1: Launch the app and click "Add Files" to import your DAV videos. You can also drag and drop the files in the tool to get started.
Step 2: Click "Convert All" and choose “MP4” using the drop-down menu to start the DAV to MP4 conversion.
Step 3: When finished, preview and save the high-quality MP4 files.
After the conversion is finished, you can locate the MP4 files without encryption. You're free to play them on any device or media player you prefer, giving you flexibility.
#2 HandBrake
HandBrake is a free, open-source video converter available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It can reliably convert DAV files to MP4 format. It offers broad codec support and customizable presets for controlling your encodings.
To use HandBrake, follow these steps to convert DAV to MP4:
Step 1: Download and install HandBrake on your computer.
Step 2: Open the application and click "Source" and then “Open File”. Select the DAV files you want to convert.
Step 3: Click the "MP4" preset under Format. Customize settings like resolution if needed.
Step 5: Click "Start Encode" to convert DAV to MP4.
The intuitive interface of HandBrake makes it easy to queue up multiple DAV to MP4 conversion jobs. HandBrake is a great free option for flexible, high-quality video format conversion.
#3 Any Video Converter
Any Video Converter is a straightforward, easy-to-use video converter program for Windows. It supports batch processing and provides customizable output settings for your DAV to MP4 conversions.
Follow these steps in Any Video Converter to convert DAV to MP4:
Step 1: Run the app and click "Add Video" to import your DAV files.
Step 2: Select MP4 as the output format from the dropdown. Customize resolution, codec, and other settings as desired.
Step 3: Click "Start" to start the DAV to MP4 conversion. Find the converted MP4 files in the designated folder
Any Video Converter's simple interface belies its versatile formatting capabilities. Converting DAV footage into shareable MP4 files is quick and effortless.
#4 Movavi Video Converter
Movavi Video Converter is a capable Windows app supporting over 200 media formats including reliable DAV to MP4 conversion. It provides format-specific encoding presets as well as custom parameters for advanced control.
Here are the steps to convert DAV to MP4 using Movavi Video Editor software:
Step 1: Install and launch Movavi Video Converter. Click "Add Media" and select the DAV files to import.
Step 2: Choose MP4 from the "Save as type" dropdown. Adjust encoding parameters like resolution if needed.
Step 3: Click "Convert" to convert the DAV videos to MP4. Locate the MP4 files when conversion completes
Movavi makes it easy to queue up large batches of DAV videos for conversion to MP4 with no fuss.
#5 AVS Video Converter
AVS Video Converter delivers specialized presets for converting DAV to MP4 without any loss of video quality or data. The customized encoding options give you flexibility when tailoring your MP4 output.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run the program and click "Browse" to import DAV files.
Step 2: Select the "DAV to MP4" conversion preset. Customize resolution, frame rate, and other settings as needed.
Step 3: Click "Convert" to start DAV to MP4 conversion. When finished, preview and save the MP4 files
AVS Video Converter offers an efficient solution for batch converting DAV files into pristine MP4 videos.
So, overall, these five excellent tools provide everything you need for smooth sailing when converting DAV footage into a more compatible MP4 format. Follow the simple steps for high-quality results.
Part 3: How to Repair Corrupt MP4 Files with Easez?
No matter how carefully you store and manage your video files, corruption issues can still happen. Maybe a DAV or MP4 file wasn’t fully written to disk or became corrupted while copying or downloading. Portions of the file may be missing or unreadable.
Fortunately, video repair software makes it easy to fix these problems. When critical videos become unplayable or you encounter codec errors, you can rely on Wondershare Repairit.
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Repair damaged videos with all levels of corruption, such as video not playing, video no sound, out-of-sync video or audio, playback errors, header corruption, flickering video, missing video codec, etc.
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Repair full HD, 4K, and 8K videos and support 18 popular formats, including MOV, MP4, M2TS, INSV, M4V, WMV, MPEG, ASF, etc.
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Repair damaged or corrupted videos caused by video compression, system crash, video format change, etc.
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Repair critically damaged or corrupted videos available on SD cards, mobile phones, cameras, USB flash drives, etc.
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Repairit has a quick and advanced scanning mode. You can use either depending on the level of corruption the video file has undergone.
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No limit to the number and size of the repairable videos.
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Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.10~macOS 13.
Repairit from Wondershare is a specialized tool designed to diagnose issues in corrupted videos and restore them to a playable state. It works for MP4 and many other video, audio, and photo formats.
To repair your damaged MP4 files with Repairit:
Step 1: Add corrupted videos you want to fix by clicking the “+ Add” button. Or drag and drop directly.
Step 2: Click “Repair” and wait for the scan to complete.
Step 3: Preview videos and save the repaired files.
Repairit uses advanced technology to scan frame by frame and rebuild corrupt videos. The 3-step process lets you fix issues and recover videos in just minutes.
Conclusion
Converting DAV footage into a more compatible MP4 format gives you easier editing, sharing, and viewing on any device. Using the right software tools allows you to retain 100% of the original video quality during conversion.
We've covered several excellent choices for smooth, seamless DAV to MP4 conversion in this guide. Each recommended tool delivers flawless results, retaining 100% of your original video quality while changing the container format. Take your pick from the user-friendly apps and online platforms to get the most versatility from your outdated DAV footage.
FAQ
Q: Is there any quality loss when converting DAV to MP4?
There should be no quality loss if you use the right DAV to MP4 converter. Look for tools that use passthrough encoding without re-compressing the video, which would lower quality.Q: Why convert DAV to MP4?
Converting to the more widely compatible MP4 format allows you to get the most versatility from older DAV footage. You can edit in more apps, share online, and play the videos on any modern device.