FCP 11.2 - Can't export mp4 files!?

"My Windows friends claim they can't open the mov file ..."

Change from .mov to .m4v and they'll be able to open it just fine. I do this with Windows users weekly.

In fact, from FCP, when you Export a file, use the H.264 preset, you'll be gold.

File->Share->Export File, and then under Settings choose Computer. This produces mp4 files.

The “Computer” setting that Luis suggested will work universally.

Some older equipment may struggle with the data rate. The FCPro is fixed giving no adjustment.

Coupling FCPro with the Compressor App will give you fine tuning if required.

Al

We export hundreds of .mp4 files out of FCP every day. Simply create a new .mp4 preset in Compressor, flavor to your taste and import into FCP via the Settings/Destinations tab.

And, FWIW, mov files and mp4 files are widely supported, particularly if used with h264 codec. So it’s quite likely that wherever you would use the mp4, the mov file would work just as well.

In fact, you could do even more, and “cheat” by changing the file extension from mov to mp4, and it would probably work in most places. Though not exactly the same, the mp4 container was a standard propounded by Apple and based on its own QuickTime mov container.

DHuitema wrote:

Is there a simpler solution?

Export the file as a.mov file, once exported click on the name of the exported file to select the name, and change the .mov extension to .mp4. You will get a dialog asking you confirm the change, confirm it.

MtD

DHuitema,

Just be aware that if you go that route the .mov wrapper must contain an h.264 encoded codec and no other format. If you export a ProRes encoded .mov or any other codec this trick won't work.