Convert M4V to AVI Online
DRM-protected M4V files only play on authorized Apple devices and iTunes; unprotected M4V is just MP4 with a different extension. Converting to AVI gives you a key advantage: extremely simple container structure that every windows media tool has supported since 1992. AVI is best for storing uncompressed or lightly compressed video for editing on windows-based workflows.
Why Convert M4V to AVI?
DRM-protected M4V files only play on authorized Apple devices and iTunes; unprotected M4V is just MP4 with a different extension — converting to AVI overcomes this by providing extremely simple container structure that every windows media tool has supported since 1992
AVI is the right choice when you need to: working with legacy windows video archives from the divx/xvid era
Gain broader compatibility — AVI works with Windows Media Player, VLC, FFmpeg, most video editors; macOS and Linux via third-party players
Your M4V files were created for converting drm-free m4v files to standard mp4 for universal playback, but now you need a format suited to different workflows
M4V vs AVI — Format Comparison
Apple MPEG-4 Video (.m4v)
Audio Video Interleave (.avi)
How to Convert M4V to AVI
Upload your M4V file
Drag your .m4v file onto the upload area or click to browse. We accept M4V files up to 2 GB.
Choose AVI as output format
Select .avi (Audio Video Interleave) from the format list. Configure any format-specific settings to match your requirements.
Convert and download
Click Convert and wait for processing. Your AVI file will be ready to download in seconds. The result is optimized for storing uncompressed or lightly compressed video for editing on windows-based workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the M4V to AVI conversion lossless?
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When both formats support lossless data, the conversion preserves all content. Depends on codec (DivX, Xvid, MJPEG, uncompressed); container supports up to 4K resolution.
How large will my AVI file be compared to the original M4V?
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M4V files are typically 200 MB – 5 GB, while AVI files are typically 50 MB – 20 GB. The actual size depends on content complexity and any quality settings you choose.
What software can open the converted AVI file?
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AVI is compatible with: Windows Media Player, VLC, FFmpeg, most video editors; macOS and Linux via third-party players.
What is the maximum file size I can convert?
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PureConverter accepts M4V files up to 2 GB. Your files are processed securely and deleted from our servers after conversion.
What's the difference between M4V and AVI?
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M4V (Apple MPEG-4 Video) is best for video content purchased or rented from the apple itunes store. AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is best for storing uncompressed or lightly compressed video for editing on windows-based workflows. Key tradeoff: M4V's advantage is supports apple fairplay drm, enabling content distribution through the itunes ecosystem with copy protection, while AVI's advantage is extremely simple container structure that every windows media tool has supported since 1992.
Pro Tips for M4V to AVI Conversion
Review the output AVI file to ensure all formatting and content transferred correctly from your M4V source
Keep a backup of your original M4V file — while our conversion is reliable, having the source is always recommended
AVI works especially well for: importing old home videos into modern editing software for re-encoding
Did you know? AVI is based on Microsoft's RIFF (Resource Interchange File Format), the same container used by WAV audio files — both formats share the exact same chunk-based binary structure.
Ready to Convert?
Upload your M4V file above and get your AVI in seconds. Free, fast, and secure.