As we know, an index file (.m3u extn) can be used in the web page for HTTP live streaming. Many guys including the iPad, iPhone, iPod users are eager to convert MP4, WMV, MKV, AVI, H.265, XviD, etc to M3U8 for http live streaming. Where I am going to introduce the best M3U8 Video Encoder for Mac OS X(El Capitan, Yosemite), which can help you encode kinds of videos to m3u8 for easier streaming and playing.

We find there are some guys recommend FFmpeg for encoding videos to M3U8, but based on our testing, it’s very difficult for users to use on Mac and not so user-friendly. Although FFmpeg probably exist in your distro’s repositories, it might be out of date or it might not have support for some videos complied in.

Taking the support for M3U8 encoding as well as program stability, converting speed, output quality, user customization, and user friendly level, etc into consideration, here our review experts have tested and picked out the best M3U8 Video Encoder for Mac- Brorsoft Video Converter for Mac to meet your needs.

This Mac video converter is rated as the video M3U8 video converter for Mac OS X including El Capitan, Yosemite and Mavericks. It enables users to convert any video format MOV, MKV, FLV, M4V, WMV, MPG, 3GP to M3U8 with original quality kept. What’s more, it has built-in optimized profiles for popular devices iPad, iPhone, Galaxy tablets/phones, Surface tablets and more. Thanks to the built-in video editor, you can personalize and retouch your videos in clicks. Just download the program and follow the step-by-step guide below to convert videos to M3U8 on Mac OS X smoothly.

Guide: How to Encode Videos to M3U8 Format in Mac

Step 1: Load video files to the software

Laucn the Mac M3U8 encoder. Click the “Load files” or “Add Video” button to the top menu bar to import source video files .avi, .wmv, .mov, .mp4. .flv, .mpg… to the program for conversion. It supports batch conversion.

Step 2: Select HTTP Live Streaming m3u8

From “Format” drop-down options, you can locate and set the output format as HLS Streaming(m3u8) > ipad m3u8 streaming or iphone m3u8 streaming. By clicking the Settings icon, you can change the resolution, bit rate, frame rate as you need.

Step 3: Edit source videos(optional)

Click the “Edit” icon on the main interface to open “Video Editor” window, you can trim, crop, add text/image/video watermark, apply special effect, enable srt, ass, ssa subtitles.

Step 4: Start m3u8 encoding

Finally, hit “Convert” button to start encoding videos to M3U8 on Mac OS X. After the conversion, you can get the output videos by hitting the Open button on the main interface.

Editor’s Note: The output m3u8 files should be named without space and file path should be in plain English or pure digital, otherwise you couldn’t play them successfully. Now you can stream the converted files to your iPhone/iPad with a HTTP Server.

P.S. If you have no idea how to build a local HTTP server, you can have a reference at the following steps:
1. Download XAMPP software and install it in the path of E:\xampp
2. Launch XAMPP in E:\xampp with the interface below
3. Check “Apache” module and hit “Start” actions and you will finish the local HTTP Server setting up process
4. You can confirm the HTTP Server address by typing 127.0.0.1 in your browser
5. Build a folder name “m3u8” under the path of E:\xampp\htdocs
6. Transfer your M3U8 files under this folder, you will then be able to access all your files in the browser with the HTTP Server address: 127.0.0.1/m3u8

Enjoy!