How to Convert FLV to MP4

FLV (Flash Video File) was once the standard video format for streaming videos on the internet. Its ability to maintain quality despite having smaller file sizes made it perfect for website use. With the subsequent retirement of Flash and the increase in popularity of HTML5, however, the FLV format has given way to other file types such as MP4.

For those with lots of videos recorded as FLV, this may present a problem. Fortunately, there are ways to convert FLV to MP4, and we’ll detail the popular methods in the article below.

How to Convert FLV to MP4 in OBS

When using OBS, the acronym for Open Broadcaster Software, a popular streaming program, recording files on the FLV format is recommended. This is because FLV recordings won’t delete the entire file when it crashes, unlike when the recording is done on MP4. But you can convert the file when you’re done recording. Just follow these steps:

1. On your OBS application, click on File in the upper left corner of the top menu.
   
2. From the dropdown list, click on Remux Recording.
   
3. On the window that appears, click on the three dots icon to the right of the text box under OBS Recording.
   
4. On the window that appears, look for the FLV file that you want to convert.
   
5. Click on Open.
   
6. On the left of the text box under target file, click on the three dots icon.
   
7. Find the target location where you want the recording to go. Make sure that the filename of the Target Version is in the MP4 format.
   
8. Click on Remux on the lower right side of the window.
   
9. When the conversion is done, a small window will pop up. Click on OK.
   
10. Open the file location that you set on the remux settings.
    
11. The file should now have been converted to MP4. Test the file to see if the conversion was successful.
    

How to Convert FLV to MP4 in VLC

The VLC media player is a very popular free media software program used by millions of PC owners. Although it can open both FLV and MP4 files natively, if you prefer to use an MP4 version, you can use VLC itself to convert the file:

1. On your VLC application, click on Media in the upper left corner of the VLC window.
   
2. From the dropdown list, click on Convert / Save.
   
3. On the window that pops up, click on the +Add button on the right side.
   
4. Locate the file that you wish to convert then click on Open in the lower right of the window.
   
5. Click on Convert / Save in the bottom right of the window.
   
6. On the Settings section of the window that appears, click on the text box to the right of Profile. Look for the file type that you want then choose it. There are several file type versions that will output an MP4 file.
   
7. Click on the Browse button to the right of Destination file to select the directory that you want the file to be saved in. Note that you can name the file in this window as well.
   
8. Click on Save.
   
9. Click on Start.
   
10. Once VLC is done converting the file, open the destination folder, and test to see if the conversion was successful.
    
    

How to Convert FLV to MP4 Using Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player has the ability to convert some file types by using the Save As version under the File menu. This doesn’t, however, apply to FLV videos. Windows Media Player requires specific plugins to be downloaded to even open FLV files. Without those plugins, you’ll get error messages when you try to do so. Although Windows Media Player can convert MP4 files to other file types like MP3, an FLV to MP4 conversion can be done easier with other programs.

How to Convert FLV to MP4 Using Adobe Media Encoder

Unfortunately, although Adobe Media Encoder still supports MP4 media types, it no longer supports FLV file types. This means that conversion from FLV to MP4 and vice versa can’t be done on the Adobe Media Encoder.

How to Convert FLV to MP4 for Free

There are plenty of other options to convert FLV files to MP4 files for free. Some may be from trial versions of paid software, others offer freeware that will always be available for use. We’ll detail some of the more useful applications available here:

Online Cloud Conversions

Here are a few online file type converters that you can use to turn your FLV file into MP4. The advantage of using these is that they don’t require any program installation to local hardware. The downside is that you need to be online, and bigger file types may take longer as they need to be both uploaded and downloaded from online servers.

1. Cloudconvert
   1. On the top menu, you can choose to convert FLV to MP4, or vice versa. There are also several other file types you can convert to.
      
   2. Click on Select File and choose where you want to import the file from.
      
   3. To change the specs of the file that you want it converted to, click on the wrench button, then change the settings as needed. When done, click OK in the bottom right.
      
   4. You can choose to add more files or click on Convert.
      
   5. Once done, you’ll be given a link to download your file.
      
2. Zamzar Online Conversion
   1. Click on Add Files, then choose the FLV file you want to convert. Do note that there is a 50MB file limit for conversion.
      
   2. On the next dropdown list, choose MP4. Alternatively, you can select other file types.
      
   3. Once done, click on Convert Now.
      
   4. A download link will appear for your converted file.

Freeware Conversions

If you prefer offline video converters, for reasons of either speed or lack of online connections, there are several options you can choose from:

1. FLV.Com
   1. Open the FLV Converter.
      
   2. Click on the folder icon next to Select the video file to add files.
      
   3. Choose our FLV file then click on Open.
      
   4. On Convert Video to, choose MP4. Alternatively, there are several other file formats to choose from.
      
   5. On Save to, choose the destination of your converted file.
      
   6. Click on Convert Video.
      
2. Freemake.Com
   1. Open your FLV to MP4 Converter.
      
   2. Click on File in the top left of the menu.
      
   3. Choose the file you want to convert.
      
   4. Choose the File type from the selection given below.
      
   5. Click on Convert.
      

How to Convert FLV to MP4 on Windows 10

All of the programs detailed above can be used if your operating system is Windows 10. The cloud conversion choices aren’t platform dependent, and the Freeware options have Windows versions of their software. Refer to a specific option that you find useful and follow those steps.

How to Convert FLV to MP4 on a Mac

Most media conversion software also has Mac OSX versions available for installation. As with the Windows 10 platform, just refer to the instructions as given above and choose a program that you think will be useful. If no Mac version exists, there are always other choices available.

Keeping Files Viable

Although not as popular as it once was, a lot of people still have plenty of FLV files saved on their devices. Knowing how to convert FLV to MP4 files ensures that these videos can still remain viable even after the format itself becomes defunct.

Do you know of other ways to convert FLV to MP4 files? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.