What are .MP4 files
MP4 is an abbreviation for MPEG-4. It is a file used for playing videos and is a compressed file format that contains more than a video; it can also contain audio and subtitles. The MP4 file is the file of choice when downloading a video, especially from the internet. It is also used when you are using a DVD ripping program for saving a DVD to your computer.
How to open MP4 file
There are many ways to open an MP4 file. The easiest of them involves double-clicking on the MP4 file and your computer will give you several options with which you can open the file. Your computer can also decide the default file with which to open the MP4 file.
The most expected default program that most computers use in opening an MP4 file is the Windows Media Player. The computer can also choose to open the MP4 file using QuickTime. However, you must first install the QuickTime player on your computer before you can access it. Windows Media Player comes automatically installed on your Windows computer.
If after following the process above and the computer does not play the MP4 file, it is a sign that you do not have any program that can play MP4 file installed on your computer. In such a situation, you should install a program that can open and edit the MP4 file to your computer before you can successfully open the file.
One of the most common programs with which you can open the MP4 file VLC and you can download it to your computer for free. VLC is fantastic and is used by many to play MP4 files, what is more, VLC does not support only MP4 files, but can also be used in opening several other video formats and can equally be used to open audio files.
If you have a thing against VLC or you are having difficulty downloading it to your computer, you can go for another MP4 player called MPlayer. This MP4 player is also available for free download to your computer.
If any of the MP4 players mentioned above fail to open the MP4 file even after you have installed them, you can go for an MPEG-4 codec, which is a small piece of software that permits the computer to easily recognize the MP4 file so that it can play correctly in any MP4 player you may be having on your computer.
X Codec Pack can make the job easier and get the MP4 file opened on your computer. This program is also available for free download and works easily on different versions of Windows Operating Systems, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. After installation, X Codex Pack can play your MP4 file very easily and also play several other video formats seamlessly.
While downloading the MP4 player, you should be wary of the ads on the program lest you mistakenly click on any of the ads. Many of the ad links look like the download, but they will only lead you elsewhere.