Best Free Audio / Video Format Conversion Program
The ready availability of audio and video material in digital format has allowed all of us to have access to a huge range of content with an ease and accessibility never before possible.
This wonderful blessing has, however, been tarnished by the proliferation of different audio and digital media formats. The existence of so many formats has meant that seemingly simple tasks, such as transferring a YouTube video to your iPod or making an MP3 file from a DVD soundtrack, can end up being complex tasks; so complex that they become nearly impossible for non-technical users.
In response to this situation we have seen the market flooded by expensive commercial media conversion programs which can cost up to $199. The good news is that there are many free media conversion programs available that will do the job just as well as their commercial cousins.
My long-time favorite has been Super, even though it's really no more than a user friendly interface for a variety of command line conversion programs. It has two great strengths: first, it's reasonably easy to use, and secondly, it handles a large number of different file formats. For example, with video files it handles 3gp/3g2 (Nokia, Siemens, Sony, Ericsson), asf, avi (DivX, H263, H263+, H264, Xvid, MPEG4, MSmpeg4, etc), dat, fli, flc, flv (used in Flash), mkv, mpg (Mpeg I, Mpeg II), mov (H263, H263+, H264, MPEG4, etc), mp4 (H263, H263+, H264, MPEG4), ogg, qt, rm, ram, rmvb, str (Play Station), swf (Flash), ts (HDTV), viv, vob, and wmv. It also handles audio file format conversion including ac3, amr, mp2, mp3, mp4, ogg, ra, wav, and wma.
The download link for Super on the author's site is quite hard to find so I've listed an alternative download site in the product details below.
The new kid on the block is FormatFactory. It can convert all popular video,audio,picture formats to other formats including phone,ipod multimedia file formats and BlackBerry. It supports Zoom,Rotate/Flip,tagscan also repair damaged video and audio file. It can even rip DVDs! Conversions can be a little slow at times but that's OK with me because I am too, LOL.
Yet another alternative is MediaCoder . It has the advantage of being open source and, arguably, is even easier to use. It doesn't handle some of the formats handled by Super but is being continuously expanded by its authors. iPod and PSP owners will appreciate the special features for these devices that make usage particularly straight-forward.
If you are mainly interested in just video conversion, check out Any Video Converter. It has a better interface than the others mentioned here and is very fast as well. Input formats include DivX, XviD, MOV, rm, rmvb, MPEG, VOB, DVD, WMV and AVI. Its set up to make MP4 conversion as simple as possible, but it can handle other output formats if you are prepared to delve into the options.
I also have added Pazera Free Video to iPod Converter to the list of great Freebies due to the fact that the Author has spent countless hours on his work, and he also has 19 other programs for use, ranging from Pazera Free MOV to AVI Converter 1.1 to WinInfo 1.0.3, I find that some authors do offer good software, but for an author to share all of these great programs tell me that he understands the value of freeware, he does ask for donations to continue his work, and for the price of the programs (Freeware) most could afford a small donation for such great work.
Super (Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer)
Website: http://www.erightsoft.net
Download link: http://www.erightsoft.net/S6Kg1.html
Alternate download link: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_encoders/super.cfm
Author: eRightSoft
Current version: v2008.build.24
Version date: January 18, 2008
License: Freeware
Download File size: 26.1MB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: Yes
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English languages supported: None
Other relevant information: None
FormatFactory
Website: www.formatoz.com/index.html
Download Link: www.formatoz.com/download.html
Multiple Screenshots: www.formatoz.com/screenshot.html
Author: Chen Hao (Author Unverified)
Current version: 1.42
Version date: April 26, 2008
License: Freeware
Download File Size: 14.5MB
Operating Systems Supported: XP/Vista 32Bit Editons
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English languages supported: 23 Languages Besides English that is Supported with Translation from contributors
Other Relevant Information: When downloading try to avoid the foreign Web download sites
MediaCoder
Website: http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/
Download link: http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/download.htm
Author: Yi-Chun Huang
Current version: 0.6.1.4031
Version date: January 18, 2008
License: Freeware
Download File size: 17.7MB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: Yes
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English languages supported: Yes
Other relevant information: None>
Any Video Converter
Website: http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/
Download link:http://www.download.com/Any-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-10661456.html?tag=lst-1
Author: Any-Video-Converter.com
Current version: 2.6.2
Version date: July 16, 2008
License: Freeware
Download File size: 13.7MB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Additional Software Required: None
64 Bit Capable: Yes
Portable Version Available: No
Non-English languages supported: NA
Other relevant information: None
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Mick Barker Sr.
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Any Video Converter is also incorrect... No support for Win 95-ME.
That is incorrect...Media Coder is not supported in Win 95-ME.
Quick Media Converter
Hello - I would like to know if you guys can give me your opinion on this: which program (free or not) do you think is best for downloading videos. A program that will rip videos from the countless sites out there, YouTube, etc, etc, etc. The overall best program for this task.
Wanta' do it fast and correctly? I use FDM (free download manager) and get them all in their native format (whatever form they download in IE .flv, wma, whatever.. FDM allows me to choose and download several at one time or at any time I choose then I use one of a million viewers designed to read those files (see the best free Media Viewer) on this site. Then I decide what to keep and throw out later.
Advantage to this is that ripping the native format from the site IE YouTube, etc, gives you the unmodified clean unconverted virgin file off the site. Afterwards you can view, dither, modify, tweak, or otherwise change the video if you want to add enhancements. If you don't want to alter the video at that point you will still have a fine viewer and be viewing the cleanest possible video since you only convert it once to view it.
If you are using firefox, then DownloadHelper and Sothink Webvideo Downloader for firefox work well for me. Orbit downloader also captured videos from the video sites with its Grab+ plugin.
Other free programs are also available to download videos from the video sites like youtube. You can search on any freeware site. I dont remember the names right now, as i use the firefox extensions, or orbit downloader for the purpose.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
I agree that any video converter is easy to use. I like it because it also downloads Youtube videos for you and converts them to a any format you choose all in one go. I saw this webpage (download youtube video's) that shows how to download from youtube using any video converter.
MediaCoder 0.6.2.4205 is out, released on Nov 3.
I am confused by the mediacoder site. They release the updates as developing release. Does that mean its stable?
0.6.1 is the stable release there.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
Used Format Factory to convert few flv files and it was able to convert some files which were not able to be read by vlc player and another flv player which I can't remember the name.This alos has a very easy to use interface.
I used media coder at one point, however when I tried to convert for my phone, it gave out some error about codecs not being found. SUPER on the other hand is my all time favorite and will remain my all time favorite.
Downloaded and tried out Super, and I'm sold (figuratively speaking, since it is freeware of course *ahem*).
I've tried a number of tools to convert .mpg's to .avi's and they all flopped in one way or another, but Super does it! Select audio and video formats, drag 'n drop, out pops the converted file. I'm a fan. This is a definite one for the media toolbox.
Next up are the .flv's ...
Thanks to Gizmo's and the forum posters. Without you I would still be sifting through the 90% of junk out there which doesn't work.
Cheers.
S
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggggggggggg,
Hi there
Downloaded Super to use it but then got into problems with Trojans.
So here's why -
I currently run XP, Antvir, Sunbelt Firewall ( Windows Firewall off )Avast( Only email enabled ) Threatfire and a weekly scan using SAS, A2, Avast + Avast Virus, Panda, with Secunia, ----- Yes all the s/w you Guys recommend. ( I use torrents )
Anyway, everytime Avast scans the Super Prog file I get the following msg immediately from Avira Antivir - ( and it always has 3 trojans inside the app )
Virus or unwanted program 'TR/Crypt.PEPM.Gen [trojan]'
detected in file 'C:\Documents and Settings\Rick Mather\Local Settings\Temp\_avast4_\unp116300642.tmp.
Action performed: Deny access
It also changes to TR/Crypt.XPACK.Gen [trojan] and the numbers change every time.
So I'm deleting the Application Super and hopefully my Trojan may disappear but ???
Any advice would be good as I've been chasing this for a while and most friends say I shouldn't be running 2 different Antivirus apps, but you Guys advise this -
Next step is getting a Geek in.
Gizmo - I obviously use your site religiously so - Many Thanks
RickeeBoy
Can someone tell me how to copy a dvd with super and make it compatible with mp4 on my player? I am getting confused on where the files go and how to move them.
What's going on with the FormatFactory install,I had previously used Super to see flv file from Youtube,then opened Avs to burn to dvd,so seen that this could do it in one,so first download was less than 1mb and when tried to extract it stated corrupted file,so downloaded from another sight,16mb file that's more like it,extracted ok but when ran the install, Windows said no do,tried with Admin right'a still no joy,cannot remember having this problem before.
Forget all what I wrote for a I am thee stupid one,noticed a security issue early evening when my partner was on the computer so hoicked up a level of the Comode firewall from training to pc clean mode and even when prompted by firewall not quick enough to catch install hook,all ok now back to training mode.
I then decided to try AVC,wow very easy to use,within a minute of starting dragged and dropped file from desktop ,selected dvd and directory to and started,an excellent tool that can do a lot more as well.
the one i recommend is Quick Media Converter, It is certainly the best so far.
http://www.cocoonsoftware.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=...
Hi Mick
I must say thank you very much for this excellent site. It has saved me hours of searching for the right products.
I do have a suggestion though.
For Converting DVD's to AVI to play on your stand alone player at home, I have just discovered a great product, and very easy to use and you can preview all the changes you make. The product is avi.NET and pgc.net that can be used.
I usually used AutoGK but have now lately started using this program.
Please let me know what you think.
Dickson
I am using viDrop too. I use it to rip DVD's and convert them in format for my mp4 player. It works great and is very simple to use, although it has advanced features too. And the last time i checked, the installation was about 10MB.
I recommend it.
I'm using Fair Use and I have to say that it is very easy to use.
I'd like to download also viDrop and try to find difference respect Faiuse
What do you think about?
I am using Quick Media Converter which works fine on 20meg files but on a large file 150meg it stalls and doesn't convert it properly. Can you tell me what converter will handle a 150meg flv file to convert to mpeg4.
sysnewbie@yahoo.com
viDrop is also very good video conversion software. It supports a lot of codecs/formats and can embed subtitles, rip DVDs and more.. And its open source!
http://learnfree.eu/download/vidrop/vidrop-0.56.2-install.msi
A couple of tips from my experience: I have an Archos 705 (yeah, it's nice), but, without buying plug-ins, it only accepts AVI using the XviD and MP3 encoding - well, as far as I know, so far it works for me (it will convert using WMP11, but I don't like using it). Hope it's useful:
My brother-in-law with an earlier model Archos said my conversion of a movie was way better than what he has been using (using 600 bitrate, ~300MB per movie). I pointed him to this site :)
1) I use MediaCoder after making an ISO using DVD Shrink.
2) You can cue up several files to convert, then click Transcode. However, on my single CPU computer, it takes a long time (~40 minutes, 1.5 hour movie, 328MB final size)
3) I suppose I should take the time to learn it better, but it does have an Extensions menu. Several portable players are listed, including an Archos 700 interface. You select Format, framerate, bitrate, cropping and other options, then transcode from there. You can show a preview during/after transcoding in the little window, too.
Personnaly I am using Quick Media Converter and I am very Happy with it is by a mile the user most friendly and the most complete reliable piece of converter I have ever found, Best of all it is a real freeware and that is all I really need.
QMC http://www.cocoonsoftware.com
hey guys what about mpeg-4 direct maker. that is a darn good convertor i should say
Do you have the Site Link for that Program Please, The only one I could find it Not freeware, but $49.95. So if you have a Freeware Suggestion, Please Post the Link to the Site, and I will be more than Happy to review it for us.
Thank You,
Mick Barker Sr.
Category Editor
Thank You Postman Pat for pointing out such a great site Loaded with awesome Freeware, I have added your recommendation to the list, Again, thanks for the heads up!
Mick Barker Sr.
Category Editor
I wanted something to convert FLV files to use on my iPod Classic (and wife's Nano). I searched the web and came across SUPER. It really is all things to all men but a little bit over-the-top for my needs. A further web search for something more concise unearthed Pazera's Free Video to iPod Converter 1.0. It is really fast (very fast), simple to use and doesn't need to be installed. He (Pezara) also has lots of other dedicated video converters on his site which I imagine work in the same way as the 'Video to iPod Converter'. He seems to be providing some very useful stuff. Take a Look.......
http://www.pazera-software.com/products/video-to-ipod-converter/
Postman Pat
I tried the "Super" program but it is way too complicated!
I am looking for a program that has two drop down menus - one that says to 'browse for file you are wanting to convert' and another that says 'convert to media format type'
And of course where to save the converted file. I tried a trialware program a few years ago that did this and it was great.
Are there any freebies that will do this as well?
Cheers,
Tom
Tom, did you try this : on-line converter. I did for 2 years and is very easy to use. Try Media-Convert at http://media-convert.com/convertir/
Denis Gauthier
I use Media-Convert at http://media-convert.com/convertir/
On-line converter. Is it a good idea?
Denis Gauthier
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