How to Convert Real Media to Mpeg for Mac

by Marshal M. Rosenthal
MPEG-1 is a compression standard for video and audio.

MPEG-1 is a compression standard for video and audio.

Wikimedia

The Real Media video format is proprietary and cannot be used in other video programs. The solution is to use a software program that will convert these videos into the MPEG file format. MPEG videos can then be used easily and widely throughout the video programs available for Macintosh computers.

Step 1

Download the RM Converter for Mac program from its website (see Resources). Then pay and register to run the full version, since the initial downloaded program restricts the audio output to one minute and also adds a watermark over the converted video.

Step 2

Run the registered RM Converter for Mac and click the "Add File" button at the top left of the program's window. Select the "Real Media" file in the window that opens up and then press "OK" to load the file into the program and close the window.

Step 3

Click on the "Profile" drop-down menu below the open space in the program that shows the video file. Select MPEG-1 NTSC as the format to which you will convert the Real Media file. Set the "Destination" below the "Profile" drop-down menu to where the converted file will be saved (the desktop, for example) by entering the information or using the "Browse" button to the right.

Step 4

Click on the Real Media file in the open space to the left of the program, below the "Add File" button. Preview the video using the player to the right of the file.

Step 5

Click the "Trim" button to the right of the "Add File" button. Specify the start and end times by clicking on the up and down arrows to trim the file as desired. Or move the front and back sliders below the video window to the right to create the start and end times. Then click the "OK" button at the lower right side to return to the program.

Step 6

Press the "Crop" button to the right of the "Trim" button at the top of the program. Crop the video in the video play window by adjusting the sliders to the left for the top, left, right and bottom of the video in the video window. Press "OK" when done to return to the program.

Step 7

Press the large "Convert" button at the extreme lower right of the program. Play the converted video file in QuickTime to confirm that it has been made correctly. Then quit the RM Converter for Mac program and archive or delete the original Real Media file.

Tips

  • The faster the speed of the computer's CPU, and the more memory the Mac has, the faster the video file will be converted.
  • Not having any other programs running while doing the file conversion could make it run more smoothly.

Warnings

  • Video conversion software is available for free and paid use. In most cases, the free version will not work as well as a version that is paid for, or it will add restrictions such as the length of time a conversion can be made or put a watermark on the converted video.
  • Real media files lose some of their quality when converted. Compensating for this might be possible once the MPEG has been made by tweaking it in a video program that allows for changing values like contrast, brightness and others.

About the Author

Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology maven with more than 15 years of editorial experience. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography with a Bachelor of Arts in photographic arts, his editorial work has appeared both domestically as well as internationally in publications such as "Home Theater," "Electronic House," "eGear," "Computer and Video Games" and "Digitrends."

Photo Credits

  • Wikimedia