GoPro Footage: to Convert Mp4 or to Not Convert?

Lkdsthegreat on 08/08/2017 - 17:30

Hi everyone,

I am a very novice GoPro video maker and don't fully understand the technological jargon behind video conversions, bitrates, etc.

When editing GoPro footage, the file is originally saved as a MP4 file on the SD card.

To preserve "quality of picture", ie resolution, is it wiser to use software such as iMovie that can directly edit that MP4 file(s), OR, use GoPro Studio which converts the MP4 into "Cineform" and eventual .mov format file.

Does either format mean less resolution, is the final resolution essentially the same, or are they different?

I find it hard to believe they could be the same, as the MP4 files are so much larger in megabyte size, but I may be wrong?

Then, when exporting your video from either iMovie or GoPro studio, to achieve the max resolution possible, is it advisable to chose something like 1080p or 4K (the max possible), does this convert the video again?

Thanks for your help.

General Discussion

Comments

  • Word on 08/08/2017 - 17:40

    .mov(4k).

  • scrimshaw on 08/08/2017 - 17:46
    +3

    Go Pros record in h.264 format and in a .mp4 file container.

    Explanation
    http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/all-you-need-to-know-about-vide…

    The pertinent information you need is "codec" type — the container (e.g MP4, MKV) is just a file type, it does not relate to how or what codec was used to record the video file.

    You just have to work out what codec you want in your end result. most likely, you will want to edit it using h.264 (so it is not necessary to convert the format) and output the file in h.264 (

    If you want to save space and make your rendered videos as small as possible while preserving image quality, you will want to use H.265— also known as HEVC, or high efficiency video codec)

    H.265 however needs a lot of CPU time and if you don't have a quad core processor to render the video file, it could take a lot of time to complete the render.

    • bananabendera on 08/08/2017 - 20:49

      Why the downvotes with no replies? So pointless. MP4 is just a container for video and audio and it is definitely adequate. Keep it as an MP4 to avoid potential loss of quality through changing formats and don't export with higher quality settings than the original video has to avoid unnecessary size.

    • mbck on 09/08/2017 - 00:19

      I can't remember but one of them either 264 or 265 is incompatible with youtube

      • Beanvee on 10/08/2017 - 12:58
        +1

        h265. Youtube was slow to adopt h264 but has supported it for a couple years now iirc.
        I doubt they'll ever support h265 as it's licensed, and google is part of http://aomedia.org/about-us/ which are launching a new open source codec to compete with h265

  • supnigs super skids on 08/08/2017 - 17:54

    Choose iMovie. If you GoPro 4k save as 4k and u don't lose quality. Obviously don't convert GoPro 1080 to 4k because no point.

  • kdsthegreat on 08/08/2017 - 22:42

    Thank you kindly everyone, especially Scrimshaw, makes total sense.

  • Neatsunsvo on 10/09/2017 - 21:29

    This program can help you to convert 1080p video to 4k one and do video/audio conversion: http://www.videoconverterfactory.com/tips/mp4-to-avi.html
    If you expect higher resolution or compatible video formats, it can help you.

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