You may be wondering if iMovie can use MPG files. The answer is NO and that’s why so many mac users need to convert MPG files for iMovie importing:
I have some old analog tapes that I converted which are MPG files. They won’t import directly to iMovie for basic trimming, touch-up, etc. –From Apple Discussion
It is often recommended to save MPG video files in MOV format, which is macOS-friendly. As a QuickTime file format, MOV can be played in QuickTime player without sacrificing quality, or imported into iMovie for editing.
This post will share multiple ways to convert MPG to MOV on Mac or Windows 10/11, including using free MPG to MOV converter software.
iFunia Video Converter is mainly designed to bulk convert media files on computer, including video and audio files. It supports 400+ built-in codecs, besides converting MPG to MOV, you're able to convert MPG to MP4, AVI, HEVC, VP9, Apple-based devices, Android, etc. It also adds an extra bunch of useful features: rip DVDs, download videos apply videos effects, and more.
A free version is available for evaluation purposes, and the pro version comes with full features for just $29.99/month or one-time payment.
Main Features of iFunia Video Converter
Free Download macOS 10.11 or later 
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe is recommended to convert your MPG files as MOV format on Windows. It bears a lot resemblance with iFunia Video Converter for Mac, both of them allows video conversion, video editing and even online videos downloading. Still, WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe helps create photo slideshow from photos and music. It supports batch video conversion too.
Main Features of WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe
Is there any free open-source software to convert MPG to MOV? How about Handbrake or VLC Media Player? Unfortunately, there are few free MPG to MOV converters, neither Handbrake nor VLC supports on this conversion. Almost all the video converters are for commercial use. You need to pay for full features even though you are allowed to download the free trial version with a limited 5-minute conversion or 7-day free trial or added watermark to your video output.
However, Freemake Video Converter for Windows just saved us, it is, so far, the only 100% free software to convert MPG file to MOV format on Windows. It’s able to convert 300+ video formats, including MPG and MOV. In addition, it helps download online videos from Vimeo, Vevo, YouTube and others. Like other video converters, it supports DVD ripping and burning too, even you are allowed to handle some simple video editing and share your videos online.
Also, you can convert MPG to MOV online free. Here we will list 2 web-based tools to help you convert MPG file to MOV.
CloudConvert is a high quality online free file converter, even Google Docs uses it as an add-in tool to open and view some files. It supports converting video, audio, document, ebook, archive and so on, it can process the conversions in batch and help uses tweaking the settings to output a needed video.
It is another simple-to-use online free file converter covers video/audio/image/ebook/document conversions. It can convert videos fast and allows some basic editing features, however, it has a file size limit of 200MB, and it doesn’t support converting videos in bulk.
Online tools or free software to convert MPG to MOV saves our money to do the job, but at the cost of video quality and processing efficiency. To batch convert MPG file to MOV with high quality fast and well, we need the help of a professional MPG to MOV converter. Now, pick a tool from our recommended list and start editing the MPG files in iMovie.
Chloe LEE is good at explaining and solving complex technology problems to her readers. Since joining iFunia Studio, she has focused on writing articles about video and DVD software, and how-to tutorials.
