High-Quality MP4 Conversion From DAT Files: Seamless Transformation for Windows & macOS

DAT to MP4 Converter: Convert DAT to MP4 with Best Quality on Mac/Win

This is a guide on how to convert DAT video files to MP4 format fast, easily and with high quality reserved.

By Candice Liu ｜Last updated on July 29, 2021

As is known to all, there are many types of DAT files, for example, text-based DAT files, video DAT files, Email attachment DAT files and more. The text-based DAT files can be viewed in a text editor, but the video DAT file can’t be played easily. Actually, DAT video file is MPEG1 or MPEG2 format with DAT extension and stored on VCD (Video CD).

For now, DAT is only supported by VCD/DVD/Blu-ray player, Windows Media Player prior to version 9 and QuickTime with plug-in installed. Unfortunately, DAT video file is not compatible with other popular media players, video editing software or mobile devices like iTunes, iPhone iPad, Android, etc. Thus, to freely play DAT files anywhere anytime, you are suggested to convert DAT to MP4 video format.

Jump to the part you concern most:

Part 1: Best DAT to MP4 Converter to Convert DAT to MP4 NO File Size Limit!

Give it a shot on MacX Video Converter Pro ! - free transcode DAT file to MP4 simple and painless!

3 clicks to decode DAT and re-encode to MP4 (MPEG-4/H264/H265) with 98% quality kept (High Quality Engine) for playback on iPhone, iPad, iTunes, iMovie, QuickTime, Samsung Galaxy, Windows Media Player, Xbox, MacBook, etc.
Bulk convert DAT videos to MP4 over 500MB/4GB, No video file size limit!
Convert DAT to MOV, WebM, MKV, AVI, FLV, WMV, VOB, SWF, AAC, MP3, iPhone ringtone, etc. 180+ video formats and 14+ audio formats on Mac/Win.
Customize your DAT video footages: merge, split, crop, cut, rotate, increase volume, add subtitles/watermark, change bitrate/sample rate, adjust resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, reduce DAT file size…

Download for Mac Download for PC

This media converter doesn’t have any advantage for DAT short video conversion, but when it comes to large DAT file (like 1GB, 3GB, 10GB…), its conversion speed trounces other competitors at 5X faster thanks to advanced Intel/Nvidia/AMD hardware acceleration tech! Give it a chance to prove itself!

How to Convert (Large) DAT File to MP4 on Mac/Win

Ahead of DAT to MP4 conversion, you should free download this DAT video converter on your Mac computer (macOS Big Sur included); if you are a Windows user, you ought to download Windows version (Win 10 supported). Next, follow the below guide to easily convert DAT to MP4 Mac/Win.

Step 1: Load DAT files

Open up this DAT converter on your computer and tap “+ Video” button to load DAT file that you wanna convert. Or just drag and drop your DAT file to this DAT video file converter. BTW, this program supports converting DAT files in batch.

Step 2: Select output video format

Set MP4 as output format from the drop-down windows. In addition to MP4, you also can choose MOV, AVI, FLV, iPhone 12/11, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4, iPad Pro, Apple TV 4, iTunes, iMovies, Samsung Galaxy S21 edge, Huawei, etc as output format.

convert DAT to MP4

Step 3: Start to convert DAT to MP4

Hit “Run” button to start converting DAT to MP4 on macOS or Windows. The conversion speed and percentage progress will show up at the processing bar. Just wait a second to let it finish or cancel it anytime if you want.

This media video converter allows you to free download online videos and music in 8K/4K UHD, 1080P/720P HD, 3D, VR, MP4, MOV, etc from other 1000+ video sharing sites, including Facebook, Yahoo, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Vevo, Metacafe, Myspace and many more.

Part2: DAT File to MP4 Online Converter (Max 4GB)

For those who want to online convert DAT file to MPEG-4 MP4 over 500MB, please give convert-video-online.com a try. I’ve already loaded a DAT file over 500Mb to test for you. It works indeed, no crooked promotion.

Pros:

Simple to use, needless to download anything.
Support large DAT file size, up to 4GB.
Privacy well protected. Your DAT files are automatically deleted from its servers a few hours after you are done.

Cons:

Video uploading speed is slow.
No extra quality engine to improve output image quality when reducing file size.

How to free online change a DAT file (over 500MB) to MP4, check below:

Step 1: Import your DAT video file.

Click the big blu button “Open file” to load your DAT video file from local computer. Or import your DAT file via Google Drive, Dropbox or URL. Your input DAT file over 500MB is accepted by this free online DAT media converter and its maximum size goes up to 4GB.

Note: if your DAT file size is large, the uploading speed might be slow and it will take more time for uploading. Of course, the uploading speed also hinges on your network connection speed.

Online upload DAT

Step 2: Select MP4 as output video format

MP4 video format is the default output format and it will be automatically chosen. On top of MP4, there are other formats available, be it AVI, MKV, iPhone, Android, Samsung, Blackberry, Sony (under “More” option).

Free online convert a DAT to MP4 over 500MB

Optional: Set resolution, codec and output file size.

Keep your resolution same as source, or 1080p, 720p, DVD, TV, etc. And hit “Settings” icon and the detailed video/audio codecs options are open to you, including MPEG-4, H264 and H265. Plus, freely move the slide bar to compress DAT video size if it’s too large for uploading to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, FB, etc. Be noted that the quality and file size are always negative related. So adjust the output file size properly to balance file size and quality.

Online adjust DAT video settings

Step 3: Hit Convert to Begin DAT to MP4 Converting

Hit “Convert” button to begin transcoding DAT file to MPEG-4/H264 or HEVC MP4 online. To speed up the whole conversion, you’d better close the unnecessary webpage, shut down other programs and leave more space for faster converting. After the conversion is done, you can eventually play DAT file on Mac or Windows using whatever video players.

Part 3: Top Free Media Player for DAT to MP4 - VLC

VLC video player might cause some minor errors for directly playing back DAT files (due to DAT container format not fully compatible with VLC). Yet, don’t forget VLC media player also sports with video converting feature. And it supports MPEG-1, MPEG-2, WMV3, VC-1 and H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) hardware decoding using DxVA2 to accelerate video converting speed. As for DAT encoded mostly by MPEG-1 or MPEG-2, it’s included in VLC hardware decoding codec.

Pros:

Simple, free and fast (hardware decoding supported).
Feature-rich video player also lets you free transcode DVD disc, record video and edit video with basic features.

Cons:

No hardware encoding supported.
VLC not converting full video or VLC convert to MP4 no sound error occurs now and then.

To use VLC to free transcode DAT to MP4 (any size), follow the below instructions:

Optional: enable hardware decoding on VLC.

Before you go, tap Preferences at the top menu of VLC > Input/Codecs > move to “hardware-accelerated decoding” and change Disable to DXVA 2.0 > tap “Save” button. Then go back to the main interface.

VLC hardware decoding DAT

Step 1: Open the convert window.

Run VLC and click the Media button. Click Media > Convert/Save. You can also use Ctrl+R shortcut to open the convert window.

tap Convert/Save on VLC

Step 2: Load DAT video file.

Tap File > Add. Import DAT file from your computer and click Open. After the DAT file is imported, click Convert/Save.

Step 3: Choose MP4 (H264+MP3) as output format

Move your mouse to Profile section, where you tap the Inverted triangle icon to pop up the output profile list. Select Video-H.264+MP3 (MP4) as the output format. You can click another 3 buttons at your right hand to choose video/audio codec (incl. H.265, VP8, MPEG4, Theora, etc.), adjust the bitrate, quality, frame rate, add filters, and more.

Choose MP4

Step 4: Start to hardware decode DAT to MP4!

Hit Start and VLC’s conversion engine will go into action to convert a DAT to MP4 format. Since VLC only features hardware decoding, no hardware encoding, the encoding part will still rely on software encoding, slightly more heavy on CPU usage (compared with MacX’s hardware encoding) and much slower on conversion speed. Certainly, maybe hardware encoding tech will come to VLC in the near future. Expect!

This post doesn’t cover so many DAT video converter as other posts (some includes 11 tools). Because other articles already recommend you with dozens of useful media converters, it’s meaningless to repeat those programs or online services here. This post just shows you the helpful yet low-profile DAT to MP4 converters for your reference. Quality always comes first (not the quantity). Of course, you’re welcomed to share with us your options if you find some niche brands with their uniqueness.

Still have any problem on how to convert DAT videos to MP4, just email us >>

Tags: Video convert MP4 DAT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Candice Liu

Candice’s particularly skilled in writing and sharing video-related contents. Her guides cover from deep-seated video/audio parameters, to media entertainment on different platforms. She also enjoys shooting and processing videos by herself for a more reliable basis of informative info with her articles, which are never at the expense of eliminating an entertaining read.

100% Free - Best H.264 to MP4 Converter Free Download Now

How to Convert WebM to MP4 on Mac for Playback with Ease

How to Convert TS to MP4 Mac with Best Quality

Free Convert WLMP to MP4 with Top WLMP File Converter

Best HD Video Converter for macOS (macOS Big Sur incl.)

How to Convert MP4 to WebM on Mac and Win for HTML5 Video

Digiarty Software, Inc. (MacXDVD) is a leader in delivering stable multimedia software applications for worldwide users since its establishment in 2006.

Hot Products

Tips and Tricks

Company

Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Digiarty Software is not developed by or affiliated with Apple Inc.

Some Guidance

High-Quality MP4 Conversion From DAT Files: Seamless Transformation for Windows & macOS