How to Convert MXF to MP4

Convert MXF to MP4 with free tools

1. 1

   Check what's inside

   Run ffprobe input.mxf (it comes with FFmpeg) or open the file in MediaInfo (free). MXF can hold MPEG-2 (XDCAM, IMX), DV/DVCPRO, AVC-Intra, XAVC (H.264), JPEG 2000 and more. The codec decides whether you can copy the video or must re-encode it.

2. 2

   Re-encode with FFmpeg

   ffmpeg -i input.mxf -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac -b:a 192k -movflags +faststart output.mp4. The -pix_fmt yuv420p part turns 10-bit or 4:2:2 camera video into the 8-bit 4:2:0 video that phones and browsers play.

3. 3

   Keep the right audio channels

   Camera MXF files often store each microphone as its own mono track. List them with ffprobe, then pick the ones you want: ffmpeg -i input.mxf -map 0:v -map 0:a:0 -map 0:a:1 -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac output.mp4. To merge two mono tracks into one stereo track, use -filter_complex "[0:a:0][0:a:1]amerge=inputs=2[a]" -map 0:v -map "[a]" instead of the -map options.

4. 4

   Or use a free editor

   DaVinci Resolve (free) opens most camera MXF files; export with an H.264 MP4 preset on the Deliver page. Shutter Encoder (free, Windows and Mac) puts FFmpeg behind a simple window.