How to Convert an M3U8 file to an MP4 with VLC for Free This means it just contains text, nothing that can actually 'play' like how an MP4 or MP3 file can play in a media player. If you're looking to convert M3U8 to MP4, or to MP3, or to any other media format, you first need to understand that an M3U8 file is a plain text file - nothing more and nothing less. VLC, Apple's iTunes, Windows Media Player, and Songbird are just a few examples of programs that can open and use M3U8 files. They are plain text files that can be used by both audio and video players to describe where media files are located. A file with the M3U8 file extension is a UTF-8 Encoded Audio Playlist file.