Recording videos these days is so easy. There's no demand to carry a camcorder around when you have a smartphone video camera. Clips can be easily edited and shared online. It's rare to come across a file format you lot tin't view or convert.

Whether you're still using an one-time camcorder, or y'all've been tasked with copying and converting the footage, at that place's a gamble yous'll come up across MOD files. These media files are difficult to read which means they demand converting---but how do you convert MOD to MPG video formats?

What Is a Modernistic File?

You've probably never heard of a MOD video file, but if you have y'all've probably had the misfortune of using one.

It's not that it is a bad file format. It is just that the Mod file is rarely encountered. In fact, the MOD file extension oftentimes appears in other places such equally video game modifications. That'due south not the MOD file we're talking nigh hither, however.

And so: How practice MOD files play? Why is this format used?

MOD and TOD files (the high definition equivalent) can exist establish on tapeless camcorders. These are the type of device that use memory cards rather than tape. MOD files are no longer used and only found on one-time camcorder hardware. If you have a reliable handheld video camera that yous still use, yous probably meet the MOD file extension regularly.

Can you convert MOD files in Windows
Image credit: Mikus/Wikipedia

Therefore, this file extension becomes frustrating. Mod files cannot be hands read. Converting to MP4 format is bad enough---it's tricky to convert Modern files to write them to DVD or Blu-ray. Nigh burning tools don't recognize Mod files.

Another problem with Modernistic files is that y'all would assume from the name and the lack of back up that information technology is a proprietary format. However, this isn't the case. JVC and other well-known brands simply renamed a standard video file format.

Modern files are in fact standard MPEG2 audio/video files. Equally such, they should be unproblematic to convert and lookout.

What Devices Record in the MOD File Format?

Numerous camcorders record video in the Mod file format. They're produced by JVC, Panasonic, and Canon, and were sold between 2004 and 2011. They range between using built-in media storage to removable SD cards, as well every bit compact hard disk drives (HDDs).

Where the storage is non removable, a USB Mini port tin be used to transfer data to your estimator.

Merely how tin you view Modern and TOD files on a PC? Is in that location a Modern file converter?

How Do Y'all Catechumen Mod Files?

If you have Modernistic video files that you demand to convert y'all have iii options:

  1. For older files, simply rename the file extension
  2. View in VLC media actor
  3. Convert using FFmpeg

Let'south bank check those in turn.

1. Convert Mod Files to MPG past Renaming the Extension

To clarify the start option, older camcorders that save video every bit Modernistic files simply rename an existing format. The solution is to simply rename the file. So, a file called moving picture.MOD, tin can be renamed to film.MPG.

You should be able to see the Modernistic file extension on your video clip. If non, y'all'll need to force Windows to show information technology.

Showtime by opening Windows Explorer and browsing to the location where the Modernistic file is stored. Open File > Change folder and search options and select View.

Here, articulate the cheque confronting Hide extensions for known file types. Click OK to confirm.

Next, right-click the Modern file and change the file extension from .mod to .mpg. Tap Enter, and so click OK when prompted to continue. That's all at that place is to it.

As alluded above, this probably volition not work on the afterwards devices using MOD files. In which case…

2. View MOD Files in VLC Media Actor

VLC media player can convert media files

VLC media role player is the Swiss army pocketknife of media role player software. It will play almost any media file, even some that other players declare corrupt. VLC tin even play partially downloaded files.

Modern and TOD files can be played in VLC media actor. Just download the tool, install, and so double click the file concerned to watch it play. Alternatively, in VLC select Media > Open File and browse the file and click OK to view the Mod file.

Download: VLC media player (Free)

3. Utilize FFmpeg to Conver MOD Files to MPG

Don't want to use VLC media player? Information technology's one of the meridian must-take apps for Windows 10, just if you adopt an alternative, Mod and TOD files can be converted to MPG using FFmpeg. This is a command line tool that can exist instructed to convert MOD files.

Download: FFmpeg (Free)

In one case installed, FFmpeg is accessed in Windows PowerShell. Y'all'll need to know and enter the file path of the MOD file on your figurer. Otherwise, open Windows Explorer then File > Open up Windows PowerShell from the MOD file location.

In PowerShell, use the FFmpeg command to call the program, then use the conversion command:

          ffmpeg -f mpeg -i originalClip.MOD -vcodec re-create -acodec mp2 -ab 192k copyClip.mpg        

Notation that changing the file type will not better the quality of the video file.

For loftier definition TOD files, convert using

          ffmpeg -i myClip.TOD -vcodec copy -acodec copy myClip.mpg        

With MOD files converted they should playback in any player. If you run into trouble, use VLC.

Play Modern Files on Your PC

At present you lot know what a Mod file is, and you lot know how to play them. The VLC media player is the answer to so many playback issues---information technology should exist everyone's default media player.

It's important to maintain personal archive cloth, whether video, audio, or other data. CDs are as susceptible to decay every bit magnetic tape and vinyl, just in dissimilar means.

Once yous're done backing up sometime Modernistic file video data, it'due south time to convert your classic audio media to MP3.

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