The DJI Pilot app gives the choice of two video recording formats, MP4 and MOV.
Is there a difference in quality between the two or is it purely a matter of compatibility with player software?

The quality is the same. Use MOV if editing on a Mac and MP4 for Windows.

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Phantom Help Posted at 2015-6-19 00:34
The quality is the same. Use MOV if editing on a Mac and MP4 for Windows.

Agree no difference in quality

It's only a difference in container file format, content is always the same - H.264 AVC encoded video stream.

There is some editing software out there that may not like either one or the other - particularly the .MOV format. In my opinion, if your software doesn't support .MP4 format, stop using it. If your editing software doesn't recognize .MOV format, but does recognize .MP4 (highly likely) switch formats.

What you see will be no different, one from the other.

aburkefl@gmail. Posted at 2015-6-19 13:46
There is some editing software out there that may not like either one or the other - particularly th ...

Both MOV and MP4 are working perfectly in Windows and has been for ages.
In the Phantom 4 camera:
Both are : MPEG-4
Both are : AVC
Both are :  Variable  Bit rate   
Both are : 8bit
Both are : 4:2:0

Main differents are:
(I used media that were 1080x1920 to compare)
                                    The MP4   is:                             The Quicktime  is:
Format profile                    JVT                                            QuickTime
Codec ID                          avc1 (avc1/isom)                          QuickTime
Overall bit rate                   27.9 Mbps                                   40 Mbps
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)              0.269                                         0.386

There are more detailed tecnical data that differ but it would be to much to put it here.
The MP4 is fine but quicktime codec should be better for there it has more information but i have not done any video comparison from the phantom 4 camera.

johannes@digi-f Posted at 2016-6-16 05:59
Both MOV and MP4 are working perfectly in Windows and has been for ages.
In the Phantom 4 camera:
B ...

Yes, I agree. I should have emphasized that my response was based on the ability to edit the resulting file. My personally favorite editor doesn't know what to do with the .mov format. I can play .mov and .mp4 just fine. It's the editing that's the greater problem.

Art - N4PJ

Art - N4PJ Posted at 2016-11-22 09:22
Yes, I agree. I should have emphasized that my response was based on the ability to edit the resul ...

I use a MacBook, is there a preferred format when combining DJI video with video recorded with a GoPro?

fans6611f0e8 Posted at 2016-11-22 10:11
I use a MacBook, is there a preferred format when combining DJI video with video recorded with a G ...

I use Mac's also, i prefer mp4, no problems at all. GoPro is mp4 also.

I always prefer .mov since most people use apple devices these days

I use MP4 because most people do not use Apple devices these days.

Quicktime struggles with the 4k video that is handled quite nicely using windows media payer in Windows 10.

Aardvark Posted at 2016-11-22 11:21
I use MP4 because most people do not use Apple devices these days.

Quicktime struggles with the 4k  ...

My favorite video editor is the free app GoProStudio. It doesn't like the .mov format at all. Rather than take the time to convert from .mov to .mp4, I just set my preference in my P3Pro to use .mp4.

That said, I realize the GoProStudio is NOT the best video editor by any stretch. But it serves my needs, it's free and, for the most part, it does what I want.

I also agree - most of the world does NOT use Macs. I have a nephew who majored in some kind of graphics design. He had a Mac and loved it. Frankly, for the stuff he did with it, if I were doing that, I would probably own a Mac as well. They are great media manipulators. I use several of my computers for amateur radio and the great bulk of software I use was written for the Windoze platform.

Art - N4PJ

Art-n4pj, I think you are on spot there. It is more about what editor you use but not about if you are using pc or mac.

Art - N4PJ Posted at 2016-11-22 21:33
My favorite video editor is the free app GoProStudio. It doesn't like the .mov format at all. Rath ...

Have you tried using the free version of DaVinci Resolve to edit your movies? I like it better than GoPro Studio

Dark Posted at 2016-11-22 21:26
Have you tried using the free version of DaVinci Resolve to edit your movies? I like it better tha ...

It seems like my desktop is covered with icons for stuff asociated with my drones, but I'll take a look. Free is a good price!

Art - N4PJ

Art - N4PJ Posted at 2016-11-22 21:33
My favorite video editor is the free app GoProStudio. It doesn't like the .mov format at all. Rath ...

Thanks, I've done many GoPro projects with Studio, it's easy to use and has most of the features I need.  Good recommendation, for that reason, I'll start using MP3.

Phantom Help Posted at 2015-6-18 08:34
The quality is the same. Use MOV if editing on a Mac and MP4 for Windows.

Hello; I am new user for DJI. I have a Mavic2 Pro and MacBook. As I see that iMovie can not import the recorded files (video) from Mavic2 Pro. I tried MOV and MP4 both H264 and 265. What can be the problem? Thank you for your help.

Bird's Eye Posted at 10-13 00:09
Hello; I am new user for DJI. I have a Mavic2 Pro and MacBook. As I see that iMovie can not import the recorded files (video) from Mavic2 Pro. I tried MOV and MP4 both H264 and 265. What can be the problem? Thank you for your help.

Firstly, only use MOV files, that option is provided for Apple devices. Next, select H264 and you should be OK. If your Macbook still can't import the files, check on updating the Macbook. If it still does not work, take the Macbook outside and jump on it.

MOV is more like a proprietary QuickTime (Apple) file format. MP4 is more compressed and thus has a smaller file size. Agree few differences in quality.

Geebax Posted at 2019-10-13 13:07
Firstly, only use MOV files, that option is provided for Apple devices. Next, select H264 and you should be OK. If your Macbook still can't import the files, check on updating the Macbook. If it still does not work, take the Macbook outside and jump on it.

Thank you so much.