MPG files encode video using MPEG-1 (VCD era, 352x240 at 1.5 Mbps) or MPEG-2 (DVD era, up to 1080i at 9.8 Mbps) with MP2 audio. iPad Video is an H.264 1080p preset optimized for Apple's iPad hardware. Converting MPG to iPad Video modernizes legacy disc and broadcast content for smooth playback on iPad's Retina display, upgrading from 1990s compression to modern H.264 with dramatically better efficiency.

iPads cannot reliably play MPG files — iOS has no native MPEG-1/2 decoder in the default video player. Even VLC on iPad may struggle with interlaced MPEG-2 from broadcast captures. The iPad Video preset re-encodes to H.264 Main Profile Level 4.0 at 1080p, which iPad's hardware video decoder handles with minimal battery impact. A DVD-quality MPG at 5 Mbps MPEG-2 looks equally good at 3 Mbps H.264.

FFmpeg decodes MPEG-1/2 video (deinterlacing if the source is interlaced), scales to 1920x1080 (or preserves original resolution if lower), and encodes to H.264 Main Profile Level 4.0 with a bitrate of 5-8 Mbps. Audio is converted from MP2 to AAC-LC at 160 kbps stereo. The output MP4 uses faststart atom placement for instant playback from iPad's Files app, iCloud, or local storage.

Resolution: 1920x1080

Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps

H.264 recommended for fast processing

Resolution: 1080x1080

Bitrate: 3.5 Mbps

Square or 9:16 for Reels

Resolution: 1080x1920

Bitrate: 4 Mbps

9:16 vertical, under 60s ideal

Resolution: 1280x720

Bitrate: 5 Mbps

Under 140s, 512MB max

Resolution: 960x540

Bitrate: 2 Mbps

16MB limit for standard, 64MB for document

Resolution: 1280x720

Bitrate: 4 Mbps

8MB free, 50MB Nitro

Not in the default Videos/TV app. VLC for iPad can play some MPG files, but interlaced MPEG-2 may have issues. Converting to H.264 MP4 guarantees smooth native playback.

DVD resolution (720x480) will look soft on Retina displays but is perfectly watchable. The content was filmed for standard-definition viewing and converting to iPad Video does not add detail that was not in the original.

Yes. Interlaced DVD and broadcast MPEG-2 is automatically deinterlaced during conversion, producing clean progressive frames for iPad's progressive-scan display.

Approximately 2.5-4 GB per hour at 1080p/6 Mbps. For DVD-quality content kept at original 720x480, approximately 800 MB-1.5 GB per hour.

Yes. AirDrop, iCloud Drive, or any cloud storage app will work. The faststart encoding enables instant playback without waiting for the full download.

Device	MPG	iPad Video
Windows PC	Partial	Partial
macOS	Partial	Partial
iPhone/iPad	Partial	Partial
Android	Partial	Partial
Linux	Partial	Partial
Web Browser	No	No

Feature	MPG	iPad Video
Full Name	MPEG Video	iPad Compatible Video
Extension	.mpg	.mp4
Best For	Universal support	iPad optimized

Convert MPG to iPad Video — Free Online Converter

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