Do you know what are M4V files? M4V is an extension used for video files that are downloaded from official Apple's iTunes online video store. Music videos, television shows, and movies that you have downloaded from iTunes have M4V extension. Commonly, these M4V video files are proprietary. And, you won't be able to play them with non-Apple products due to compatibility issues. You can convert these files to other formats such as, MP4 files, FLV files, or WMV to avoid these compatibility issues. You can find several softwares to perform the conversion for you. Otherwise, these copy righted M4V files can only be opened on an iPod, iPhone, or on a computer that is authorized by the owner of the account that has purchased the files. You can access these files even by renaming their file extension to some other compatible video format.

So, the question arises that how to play M4V files? There are two different ways to play copy righted M4V files and unprotected M4V files. We will describe both in this article.

Following are the steps that will let you know that how to play M4V files (copy righted):

• First you have to get your computer, iPod, or iPhone authorized by iTunes in order to play M4V files. For the purpose, just connect to the internet and open the iTunes website. Follow the instructions and make a new account or enter the existing iTunes account information.
• Download an M4V file. Go to iTunes, browse for your desired video and select one from iTunes inventory. Pay for it and download the M4V file.
• Double-click on the file in your computer and play the M4V file. On iPhone or iPod, just touch the desired video and it will be played.

Following are the steps that will let you know that how to play M4V files (unprotected):

• Get an M4V file.
• Copy the file into your computer or the device that you have to use to play the respected file.
• You can play these unprotected M4V files on an application of your own choice. These files can be played on Apple QuickTime Player, VideoLAN VLC Media Player, RealNetworks RealPlayer, or Miro by using Apple's operating system. If you have Microsoft Windows installed on your computer, then you can play these unprotected files with QuickTime Player, VideoLAN VLC Media Player, RealPlayer, Media Player Classic or Miro. And, if you have Linux operating system, then you can use Miro or VideoLAN VLC Media Player to play these files.