Free online DAV to M1V converter
Convert proprietary CCTV DAV recordings to MPEG-1 M1V video without audio.
Convert DAV to M1V online - free
Your file is processed instantly and deleted as soon as you download it.
Import a file from a URL
Paste a direct link to the file. We download it to our server and it is converted exactly like an upload.
How it works
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Upload your .dav file
Click to browse to select your file you want to convert or simply drag & drop your file into selected area.
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Perform .dav to .m1v conversion
After successful file upload, click to convert when you are ready.
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Download converted .m1v file
Conversion result is ready to download.
Conversion statistics: DAV to M1V
Updated November 7, 2026, from conversions on 101convert.com
How to convert dav to m1v file
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What the DAV format is
DAV is a proprietary digital video format used by many DVR and NVR surveillance systems, especially equipment based on Dahua technology and older DVR365 systems. Security recorders commonly save camera footage as .dav files instead of standard MP4 or AVI files.
DAV files can contain proprietary metadata, timestamps, multiple-camera information, and codec or encryption details that ordinary media players cannot interpret. Dahua Smart Player and compatible vendor playback utilities are normally used to open, verify, and export these recordings.
What the M1V format is
M1V is an MPEG-1 video elementary stream. It stores video only; audio is normally stored separately as an M1A or another audio stream, so an M1V output will not retain DAV audio.
MPEG-1 video is supported by many older editing, authoring, broadcast, and hardware systems. Its main practical advantages are simple decoding and broad legacy compatibility, but it is much less efficient than H.264 or H.265 and usually produces larger files at comparable visual quality.
How to convert DAV to M1V
Use the built-in online converter
- Open the DAV-to-M1V converter on 101convert.com.
- Upload the DAV recording and select
M1Vas the output format. - Start the conversion, then download the resulting M1V file when processing finishes.
A proprietary DAV file may not decode in a general converter. If the upload fails, export the recording to a standard intermediate video with the recorder manufacturer's software first.
Export with Dahua Smart Player, then encode with FFmpeg
- Open the DAV file in Dahua Smart Player or the playback utility supplied with the recorder.
- Use the player's export or conversion function, such as File → Convert or Export, and save an AVI or MP4 intermediate file. Keep the original DAV file unchanged.
- Install FFmpeg and encode the exported video as an MPEG-1 elementary stream:
ffmpeg -i exported.avi -an -c:v mpeg1video -q:v 2 -f mpeg1video output.m1v
The -an option removes audio because M1V is video-only. Use a larger -q:v value for a smaller, lower-quality file; lower values preserve more detail and increase the file size. If the intermediate file is MP4, replace exported.avi with its actual filename.
Quality, compatibility, and limitations
The process normally involves two stages: proprietary DAV decoding and MPEG-1 transcoding. MPEG-1 encoding recompresses the picture, so it cannot restore detail already lost in the recorder's original stream. For evidence or archival use, retain the original DAV and any vendor player or export utility alongside the M1V copy.
Surveillance footage may use variable frame rates, unusual dimensions, interlacing, or timestamps embedded by the DVR. The intermediate export should be checked for correct playback, frame order, camera channel, and timestamp visibility before creating the M1V file. M1V does not reliably preserve DAV metadata, motion-detection events, authentication data, or multi-channel recorder structure.
Note: This dav to m1v conversion record is incomplete, must be verified, and may contain inaccuracies. Please vote below whether you found this information helpful or not.
DAV vs M1V: format comparison
How the DAV and M1V formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .DAV Dahua DVR video | .M1V MPEG-1 Video |
|---|---|---|
| Format type | Container | Codec |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Maximum resolution | — | SD (up to 576p) |
| Audio tracks | One | None |
| Subtitles | Not supported | Not supported |
| Streaming | No | Partial |
| Opens in a web browser | No | No |
| Typical file size | Large | Medium |
| Open standard | No | Yes |
| Introduced | — | 1993 |
| Developer | Dahua Technology | Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) |
| MIME type | — | video/mpeg |
Information about file extensions and file types is provided by File-Extensions.org
Frequently asked questions
Is the DAV to M1V converter free?
Yes, converting DAV to M1V on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my DAV file be?
You can upload DAV files up to 30 MB and convert up to 1 files at once in a single batch. With a paid plan the limit is up to 200 MB per file and 1 files at once, see our plans.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert DAV to M1V?
No. The DAV to M1V conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid DAV file for this DAV to M1V conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.