What happens when you convert MOV to MP2
- MP2 holds sound only, so the picture is discarded and the soundtrack is encoded as MPEG Layer II at 192 kbps.
- If the MOV has several audio tracks, the first one is used.
How to convert MOV to MP2 online
- Press "Choose MOV files" and select one or more files, or drag them onto the box. You can add files of any size your device can hold in memory.
- Adjust the settings if you need to: the bitrate controls quality and size. The defaults suit most people.
- Press "Convert to MP2". The first audio or video conversion downloads the converter engine, about 32 MB, which your browser then keeps for next time.
- Save each MP2 with its download button. Close the tab and every trace of the files is gone from memory.
Why convert MOV to MP2?
MOV files usually come from iPhone recordings, Final Cut Pro and screen recordings on Mac. People convert them to MP2 because MP2 is still used by broadcast playout systems and DAB radio.
In short, MOV is good at what it was made for, and MP2 is the more practical choice when the file has to play on another device or app. MOV plays in Safari; Chrome plays most MOV files that use H.264, while MP2 plays in most desktop players; browser support is patchy.
How to convert MOV to MP2 on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android
On Windows
Open this page in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, drag your MOV files in from File Explorer, and press Convert. Each MP2 is saved to your Downloads folder. If you prefer a desktop program, VLC can also convert MOV to MP2: choose Media, then Convert / Save.
On a Mac
Safari, Chrome and Firefox all work. Drag the MOV files from Finder onto the drop zone and the MP2 files land in Downloads.
On iPhone and iPad
Open the page in Safari and tap Choose MOV files. You can pick from Photos or from the Files app. The converted MP2 appears in Files, in the Downloads folder. To stop the iPhone creating MOV files in future, go to Settings, Camera, Formats and choose Most Compatible.
On Android
Open the page in Chrome, tap Choose MOV files and pick them from Files or your gallery. The MP2 is saved to the Download folder, where any file manager can find it. Keep the screen on while a long video converts, because Android may pause a tab in the background.
Best settings for MOV to MP2
MP2 is a lossy format, so the bitrate decides both the sound quality and the file size. Size grows in a straight line with bitrate: double the bitrate and the file doubles.
| Bitrate | Size per minute | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps | about 2.4 MB | the highest quality, for music you will keep |
| 256 kbps | about 1.9 MB | excellent music quality |
| 192 kbps | about 1.4 MB | the default: transparent for most listeners |
| 128 kbps | about 1.0 MB | good for music on the go and for podcasts |
| 96 kbps | about 0.7 MB | speech and audiobooks |
| 64 kbps | about 0.5 MB | voice notes and spoken word only |
The MOV was already compressed, so pick a bitrate at least as high as the original. Going higher does not add quality back, it only makes the file bigger.
MOV vs MP2: the differences
| MOV | MP2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | QuickTime movie | MPEG-1 Audio Layer II |
| Type | video | audio |
| Created by | Apple | the Moving Picture Experts Group |
| First released | 1991 | 1993 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Usually contains | H.264, HEVC or ProRes video with AAC audio | MPEG-1 Layer II audio |
| In a browser | plays in Safari; Chrome plays most MOV files that use H.264 | plays in most desktop players; browser support is patchy |
| Common uses | iPhone recordings, Final Cut Pro and screen recordings on Mac | broadcast radio, DVB television and Video CDs |
| MIME type | video/quicktime | audio/mpeg |
About MOV and MP2 files
What is a MOV file?
MOV is the QuickTime container that MP4 was based on, so the two are close relatives. iPhones record MOV, and newer iPhones use HEVC inside it, which Windows and many websites cannot play.
What is an MP2 file?
MP2 predates MP3 and is still the audio format of European digital radio and many TV broadcasts. It needs more bitrate than MP3 for the same quality, but it is simpler to decode.
MOV to MP2 not working? Common problems
- The conversion is slow. Audio and container changes take seconds, but re-encoding video runs on your own processor. Lower the resolution to 720p, close other tabs, and keep the device plugged in.
- The tab stops or reloads on a very large file. Browsers limit how much memory one tab can use, around 2 GB and less on phones. Split long recordings or convert them on a computer.
- Song titles are missing. Tags such as title and artist are copied when MP2 can store them, but cover art is not carried over.
Convert MOV to MP2 with ffmpeg
This converter runs ffmpeg inside your browser. If you would rather use the ffmpeg command line on your own computer, this command produces an equivalent MP2 with the same kind of settings:
ffmpeg -i input.mov -vn -c:a mp2 -b:a 192k output.mp2Replace input.mov with the name of your file. For a whole folder of MOV files, run the command in a loop, or drop them all on the converter above, which processes them one after another.
MOV to MP2 converter FAQ
Will I lose quality converting MOV to MP2?
The sound is re-encoded as MPEG Layer II at 192 kbps, which is transparent for most listeners. The picture is not kept.
Why is the MP2 a different size from the MOV?
The MP2 is much smaller, because the video stream, usually most of the file, is dropped.
Are my MOV files uploaded anywhere?
No. The conversion runs inside this browser tab using ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly, so your files stay on your device. You can disconnect from the internet after the page and converter engine have loaded and it still works.
Can I convert several MOV files to MP2 at once?
Yes. Select or drop as many files as you like; they are converted one after another and each gets its own download button.
How do I open an MP2 file?
MP2 plays in most desktop players; browser support is patchy. MP2 is common for broadcast radio, DVB television and Video CDs.
Is this MOV to MP2 converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many files you convert. The site is paid for by advertising, and because conversions run on your device there is no server cost per file.
Can I convert MOV to MP2 on my phone?
Yes. The converter works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. Converted files are saved to the Downloads folder.