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Need help?How to Convert Video to MPG Online
- Upload Your Video File: Drag and drop or click "+ Add Files" to select clips in MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WebM, FLV, WMV, 3GP, M2TS, TS, VOB, or 30+ other video formats. Batch conversion is supported.
- Pick File Compression and Quality Preset: The default is the Quality Preset set to "Very High (Recommended)" with MPEG-2 video and MP2 audio — the codec pair DVD authoring tools expect. Switch to "Specific file size", "Constant Bitrate", "Variable Bitrate", "Constant Quality", or "Constraint Quality" if you need a fixed disc footprint or a CBR stream for legacy hardware.
- Set Video Resolution and Trim (Optional): Use "Width x Height" to lock 720x480 (NTSC DVD) or 720x576 (PAL DVD) — "Preset Resolutions" sets height alone and lets the width follow your source's aspect ratio — or pick a Resolution Percentage, or set Width/Height individually with aspect ratio preserved. Switch Trim from "Unchanged" to "Time Range" to clip a segment by start time and duration.
- Convert and Download: Click "Convert". Files process on our servers and download straight to your device — no sign-up, no watermark, no install.
Why Convert Video to MPG?
MPG (often interchangeable with .mpeg) is the container that wraps MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video with MP2/AC3 audio. It predates MP4 by nearly a decade and was the on-disc format for VCDs (MPEG-1) and DVDs (MPEG-2). Modern codecs like H.264 and H.265 compress 4-6x better, but MPG is still the only format DVD authoring tools and certain broadcast/industrial systems will ingest. Convert to MPG when the destination is a player, not a browser.
- DVD authoring — Software like DVD Styler, ImgBurn, and Nero requires MPEG-2 video at 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL) to build a compliant VIDEO_TS structure. The DVD-Video spec caps total bitrate at 10.08 Mb/s, so keep MPEG-2 video at 8 Mb/s or below to leave headroom for audio.
- VCD/SVCD discs — VCDs use MPEG-1 at 352x240 (NTSC) or 352x288 (PAL), playable on legacy DVD players and older set-top boxes. SVCDs step up to MPEG-2 at 480x480/576.
- Legacy hardware playback — Older set-top boxes, in-flight entertainment systems, kiosks, and digital-signage players from the 2000s expect MPEG program streams and choke on H.264-in-MP4.
- Broadcast and archival masters — Studios still ingest MPEG-2 program streams for tape transfer, edit decision list workflows, and long-term archives because the codec is mature, royalty paid up, and decoder support is universal.
- Editing in older NLEs — Pinnacle Studio, older Adobe Premiere builds, and Sony Vegas projects often expect MPG/MPEG-2 input rather than modern containers.
- Cross-platform players — VLC, Windows Media Player, and QuickTime all decode MPG without extra codec packs, useful when you can't predict the recipient's player.
MPG vs MP4 — Format Comparison
| Property | MPG | MP4 |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1993 (MPEG-1), 1995 (MPEG-2) | 2001 (ISO/IEC 14496-14) |
| Typical video codec | MPEG-1, MPEG-2 | H.264, H.265, AV1, VP9 |
| Typical audio codec | MP2, AC3 (Dolby Digital) | AAC, AC3, ALAC |
| File size at 1080p | 4-6x larger than equivalent H.264 MP4 | Baseline |
| DVD authoring | Required (MPEG-2 at 720x480/720x576) | Not accepted by DVD authoring tools |
| Streaming/web | Not used (no HTML5 <video> support) |
Universal — every browser plays H.264 MP4 |
| Editing-friendly | Yes — frame-accurate seeking, mature NLE support | Yes, but long-GOP H.264 needs intermediate codecs for heavy cutting |
| Subtitle tracks | External only (.srt sidecar) | Soft subs in-container |
| Multiple audio tracks | Limited (program streams) | Yes |
| Modern device support | Most desktop players; few mobile/web | Universal |
Codec and Bitrate Quick Guide
| Target | Codec | Resolution | Bitrate (video) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DVD-Video (NTSC) | MPEG-2 | 720x480 | 4-8 Mb/s VBR | Frame rate 29.97 fps; max combined ~9.8 Mb/s |
| DVD-Video (PAL) | MPEG-2 | 720x576 | 4-8 Mb/s VBR | Frame rate 25 fps |
| VCD (NTSC) | MPEG-1 | 352x240 | 1.15 Mb/s CBR | 29.97 fps; ~80 min per CD |
| VCD (PAL) | MPEG-1 | 352x288 | 1.15 Mb/s CBR | 25 fps |
| SVCD | MPEG-2 | 480x480 or 480x576 | 2.6 Mb/s VBR | ~35-60 min per CD |
| Archival master | MPEG-2 | Source resolution | 15-25 Mb/s VBR | Above the DVD ceiling but valid MPG; not disc-ready |
Bitrates above 9.8 Mb/s are valid MPEG-2 streams but exceed the DVD-Video ceiling — they play in software but won't author to a compliant disc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I encode MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 when converting to MPG?
Pick MPEG-2 unless you specifically need MPEG-1. MPEG-2 is the DVD-Video standard, handles interlaced content, supports better compression at 720x480/720x576, and is what every modern DVD authoring tool expects. MPEG-1 only makes sense for VCDs (the 352x240/352x288 disc format) or for very wide compatibility on hardware from the 1990s. xconvert defaults to MPEG-2 — change the Video Codec in Advanced Options if you need MPEG-1.
Why is my MPG file so much larger than the source MP4?
MP4 typically holds H.264 or H.265, which are 4-6x more efficient than MPEG-2 at the same visual quality. A 200 MB H.264 MP4 can become an 800 MB-1.2 GB MPEG-2 MPG at equivalent quality. This is unavoidable — the MPG container can only hold MPEG-1/MPEG-2/MJPEG-class codecs, and they predate modern compression techniques. If size matters more than DVD compatibility, stay with MP4.
Will the MPG file play on every DVD player?
If you keep the output under the DVD-Video bitrate ceiling (~9.8 Mb/s combined, recommended 8 Mb/s for video) and use a DVD-compliant resolution (720x480 NTSC or 720x576 PAL), the raw MPG will play in any software player. To make it play on a physical DVD player, you still need to author the disc with DVD Styler, ImgBurn, or similar — those tools build the VIDEO_TS folder, IFO/VOB files, and disc structure. The MPG conversion gets you to the input, not the finished disc.
What's the difference between.mpg and.mpeg extensions?
Functionally none. Both are MPEG program streams containing MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video with MP2/AC3 audio. The .mpg extension dates from DOS-era 8.3 filename limits; .mpeg is the longer form. Most players and authoring tools accept either. xconvert outputs .mpg; rename to .mpeg if your target tool insists.
Can I trim the video while converting to MPG?
Yes. Switch the Trim control from "Unchanged" to "Time Range", then set the start time and duration. This is faster than converting first and trimming after — the trim happens during the encode. To trim an existing MPG without running a full format conversion, use the dedicated Trim MPG tool instead.
Does the converter keep the audio track?
Yes. xconvert defaults to MP2 audio for MPG output, which is the DVD-compatible audio codec alongside AC3 (Dolby Digital). If your source has multiple audio tracks, the first one is mapped to the output. AC3 is also selectable from the Audio Codec dropdown when you need 5.1 surround for DVD.
Will MPG work on YouTube, Instagram, or modern phones?
YouTube accepts MPG uploads but transcodes them to H.264/VP9 internally — you'll get the same end result with a much smaller upload by using MP4. Instagram, TikTok, and most social platforms don't accept MPG directly; convert to MP4 instead with our MPG to MP4 converter. Modern phones can play MPG via VLC but not in the default Photos/Gallery app.
Is there a file size or batch limit?
You can upload multiple files at once and convert them with the same settings — useful for batch DVD prep. There's no watermark or sign-up required. For very large files, the server-based conversion depends on upload size and connection speed; if you hit a limit, split the source into chunks first or use the dedicated MOV to MPG or MP4 to MPG pages for single-format jobs.
How do I keep the original resolution instead of resizing?
Set the Video Resolution control to "Keep original". xconvert will preserve the input width and height. Note that for DVD authoring you'll likely want to resize to 720x480 or 720x576 so the disc passes spec — keep-original is the right choice for archival masters or non-disc workflows.