Most videos that won’t play on Apple devices don’t need converting at all, only a new container. Rewrap copies (remuxes) every stream it can and converts only what MP4 can’t hold.
What’s copied
These go into the new file untouched, with no loss in quality:
- Video: H.264 and HEVC
- Audio: AAC, AC3, E-AC3 and ALAC
- Subtitles: SRT, MP4 text and WebVTT, which are stored as MP4 text subtitles
What’s converted
With the default settings, a video stream MP4 can’t hold is converted to HEVC, and an audio stream is converted to AAC 5.1. Presets such as Apple TV 4K or iPhone convert the video on purpose, to a set bitrate and size.
Choose an encoder
- Hardware uses your Mac’s built-in video encoder. It’s the fastest choice.
- Software uses x264 (H.264) or x265 (HEVC). It’s slower and gives more control, in one pass or two. Two passes are slower and hit a target bitrate more evenly.
Leave the bitrate on automatic, or set one in kbps. You can also resize the video to a width.
Audio versions
You can put several versions of the soundtrack in one file: the original, AAC stereo, AAC 5.1, AC3 stereo and AC3 5.1. A common choice is the original plus AAC stereo, so every device has something it can play.
Presets
| Preset | Video | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Passthru Remux | Copied | Copied |
| Apple TV 4K (Fast) | HEVC, hardware, 8,000 kbps | Original + AAC stereo |
| Apple TV 4K (Quality) | HEVC, software, two passes, 6,000 kbps | Original + AAC stereo |
| iPhone (Fast) | H.264, hardware, 4,000 kbps, 1920 wide | AAC stereo |
| iPad (Fast) | H.264, hardware, 6,000 kbps, 1920 wide | AAC stereo + original |
| Archive H.265 | HEVC, software, two passes, 6,000 kbps | Copied |
Make your own by changing the settings and saving them as a preset. You can duplicate and delete your presets too.