[5 Ways] How to Convert VCD DAT Video Files to MP4 with Good Quality

I have a DAT file and need to convert to MP4 format for better compatibility. What's the best program to use? VLC does not convert DAT files to MP4 successfully. I'm using a PC running Windows 10.

If the similar cases are also troubles for you, you're in the right place. This article mainly concerns how to FAST convert VCD DAT video to MP4 format with best preserved quality. By assistance of an excellent DAT to MP4 converter, you can freely convert video from DAT to MP4 format. Here we've listed 5 DAT to MP4 converters that help you convert DAT video to MP4 easily.

Unable to Open .dat Files on Your PC/Mac? Convert DAT to MP4 Now!

If you happen to have one .dat file that can't be opened in Windows PC or Mac, go straight to convert DAT to MP4 for better compatibility.Winxvideo AI is able to convert DAT to MP4 and any other formats so that you're able to play your DAT files on any devices. 100% security and hardware accelerated.

Table of Contents

Part 1. What Is DAT File?

Part 2. How to Convert DAT to MP4?

• 1.Winxvideo AI
• 2. VLC Media Player
• 3. Apowersoft Video Converter
• 4. Movavi Video Converter
• 5. AnyMP4 Free Video Converter Online

Part 3. FAQs about Converting DAT to MP4

Part 1. What Is DAT File?

A DAT file is a data file that contains specific information about the program used to create it. This file always is ended with .dat file extension, which is a generic format that con contains any information, including video, audio, PDF, or virtually any type of files. Sometimes you can find it by itself, but often it's with other configuration files like DLL files.

As most DAT files are tucked away from view in an application's data folders, you'll probably see DAT files if a video file is being stored this way, or if you've recieved a malformed email attachment with .DAT extension.

When coming to a DAT video, it is stored in MPEG-1 movie file on Video CD (abbreviated as VCD) optical disc. As a video format for film distribution, VCD DAT playback is supported by VCD/DVD/Blu-ray player and Windows XP/Vista/7, Mac OS computers. However, the limited support by mainstream software (Windows Media Player prior to version 9 and QuickTime which can only play DAT video files with plug-ins) makes users to seek for a new way to watch DAT videos, like converting to other formats more compatible with media players, computers and devices.

Part 2. How to Convert DAT to MP4 on Windows 10/11/Mac/Online?

To make DAT video files playable on any media player and devices, you're recommended to convert DAT to MP4 format. Here we've listed top 5 DAT to MP4 converters for change DAT format to MP4.

1. Convert DAT to MP4 on Windows 10/11/Mac with Winxvideo AI

Best for: Keep a good balance between video resolution and size.

Winxvideo AI is straightforward video conversion tool that allows you to convert videos of any type, including DAT to MP4, MKV to MP4, H.264 to HEVC, MOV to MP4, AVI to WMV and more. It features with fast speed and high-quality output. With the support of hardward acceleration tech, it's able to convert DAT to MP4 at 47x real-time faster speed. And the built-in high-quality engine gives users a possibility to get high-quality output.

How to Convert DAT Files to MP4 on Windows 10/11/Mac

At the beginning, please download and install this Winxvideo AI on your Windows PC or Mac computer. If you try to convert DAT to MP4 on Mac, please switch to the Mac version.

Step 1. Launch this WinX DAT converter and hit "+Video" button to import the target VCD DAT video or directly drag and drop the file into the window of the program.

Step 2. Output Profile dialogue pops up once the video is completely loaded. Move to General Profiles category and select MP4 Video (Codec: h264+aac) or MPEG4 Video (Codec: mpeg4+mp3) as output format. Then, click OK.

Step 3. Set destination folder by clicking Browse button and start DAT to MP4 conversion by clicking RUN button.

2. Convert DAT to MP4 on Windows 10/11/Mac Using VLC

Best for: Available to play nearly all video formats.

VLC is known as one of the best media players to play any types of videos. It is optimized for playing in different devices, streaming media, and converting video formats like DAT to MP4. Most importantly, VLC is open-source, thus there are a nearly infinite number of plugins available that add additional features to the player.

How to Convert DAT Files to MP4 using VLC?

Step 1. Download VLC Media Player, iinstall it and open it up on your computer.

Step 2. Click Media on the tabs at the top of the window, and then select Open File. Then browse and open your DAT file locally.

Step 3. Click Media again and select Convert / Save from the drop-down menu. You can also hit Ctrl + R.

Step 4. Click the drop-down menu located next to Profile and select the MP4 option from the list that reads Video H.264 + MP3 (MP4).

Step 5. Click the Browse button to specify an output folder path for your output.

Step 6. Click Start at the bottom of the window to start DAT to MP4 conversion process. The amount of time the conversion will take is based on the size of the file.

3. Convert DAT to MP4 on Windows 10/11/Mac with Apowersoft Video Converter

Best for: Quick, simple no-frills conversions.

Apowersoft Video Converter is another DAT converter that is able to convert video to any formats with minimum quality loss. It supports high-definition videos with resolutions up to 4K. Users are able to directly convert DAT files so as to make them readable by portable devices like iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, PS5 and more.

How to Convert DAT Files to MP4 by Using Apowersoft Video Converter

Step 1. Free download Apowersoft Video Converter, install and open it. Click "Add Files" to load your DAT files.

Step 2. Open the "Profile" drop-down list, choose your output format as "MP4".

Step 3. Select a folder to place the converted MP4 file.

Step 4. Hit the "Convert" button and wait for the completion.

4. Convert DAT to MP4 on Windows 10/11/Mac with Movavi Video Converter

Best for: Converting video to a wide range of formats and devices.

Movavi Video Converter is known as an all-in-one video converter that supports all popular video, audio and image formats, including AVI, MOV, MKV, WMV, MP3, FLAC, JPEG, PNG and more. Here, we're talking about DAT to MP4. It's able to convert and compress DAT to MP4 without any quality loss. Additionally, it can trim and merge your video creations, and even insert subtitles freely.

How to Convert DAT to MP4 Freely with Movavi Video Converter

Step 1. Get Movavi Video Converter on your computer, open it and drag and drop to load your DAT file into the program.

Step 2. Choose the desired output video format (in this case it's MP4) in the presets ribbon menu.

Step 3. Click the "Save to" button to specify the folder in which the processed files should be saved. Finally, hit the "Convert" button and wait. The conversion will be finished in a very short time, but it depends on your video length.

5. Convert DAT to MP4 Online 500MB with AnyMP4

Best for: Small files below 100MB

AnyMP4 Free Video Converter Online supports to convert video files over 300 formats, and personalize the video parameters for player, social sharing and more. You can import more than 300 formats, and convert them into the videos like MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, M4V, WMV, WebM, VOB, MPG, etc., surely including DAT to MP4. However, for free version and log-in version, there are some limits related to file numbers, size and outout formats. For example, the log-in version allows users to convert 10 files (not exceed 100MB per file) per 24 hours, and convert to less than 20 video output formats including MP4.

Tutotial on How to Convert DAT to MP4 Online with AnyMP4

Step 1. Navigate to this DAT to MP4 Online video converter official page.

Step 2. Upload your DAT file by clicking on the "Upload File" button. Or you can make it done by drag-n'-drop.

Step 3. Select MP4 as the output format, then choose your preferred resolution, encoder, resolution, quality, frame rate, and more you want.

Step 4. Click the "Save" button to start converting the DAT file to MP4 format and downloading it into the computer.

Part 3. FAQs about Converting DAT to MP4

1. Is .DAT file a video file?

.DAT extension can be wrapped with any information – video, audio, PDF, and virtually any other type of file. DAT video files are VCD Video files used for playing video from a Video CD (VCD) optical disc. The .DAT file is commonly saved in the MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 format and contains video data from the VCD optical disc. 

2. How do I convert DAT to MP4 using Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player can not handle DAT to MP4 conversion well. Some users reported DAT compatibility issue with Windows Media Player. If you need to convert DAT files to MP4 format, resort to a DAT file converter program.

3. What software can opens .dat files?

A .dat file can be a video file, an image, or a video file. If it's text, it can be opened with text editor. If it's a video file, try VLC media player. Windows Media Player can fail to open .dat files on Windows 10. DAT file format can not be found on the list of media types supported by Windows Media Player.

4. How do you open a DAT file when you don't know what's in it?

Check the name of its containing folder. If you found the DAT file inside a "media" folder, then it might be a video or audio, so your media player can come to the rescue. If the DAT file is inside a system folder, you shouldn't attempt to open it, because it could be in use by one of your apps as a configuration file.