It's the first law of video: no matter which file format your clip is using, it never seems to be quite compatible with the software or device where you'd like to use it. And
that could mean anything from missing or out-of-sync audio, to picture problems, or perhaps a movie that won't play at all.
Fortunately there's a simple solution. Just equip yourself with a video conversion tool that will re-encode your file into the format you need, or even for the exact device where you'd like to play it (iPhone, iPod, whatever it might be).
This doesn't have to cost you anything, as there are a host of excellent freeware tools that provide all the functionality you'll ever need - and we've uncovered five of the very best.
1. SUPER
SUPER (the Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer) uses several open-source tools to support a huge array of file conversion functionality.
The program is able to import all the main video formats, of course: 3GP, 3G2, AMV, ASF, DAT, DVR-MS, FLI, FLC, FLV, M2TS, MPG, MKV, MOV, M4V, NSV, OGM, QT, RM(VB), STR, SWF, TS, TRP, TY, TY+, TMF, VIV, VOB and WMV.
But SUPER can also record streaming internet videos. It's able to import sequences of images. And there's excellent support for audio file formats, too.
Output options include all the main PC video and audio formats, and the program also supports creating 3GP and 3G2 files for mobile phones, along with clips for the iPod or iPhone, Sony PS3 and PSP, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Zune, and more.
Figuring out how to do all this can take a while, as SUPER's interface comes packed with complex options. It's worth investing the time, though, because once you're familiar with how SUPER works then you'll be prepared for just about any file format conversion task.
2. Format Factory
Format Factory has a good list of output formats, being able to convert almost any video to MP4, AVI, 3GP, RMVB, WMV, MKV, MPG, VOB, MOV, FLV or even SWF files.
The program comes with a huge selection of device presets, too. So if you're not quite sure how your video should be configured, just choose the "All to Mobile Device" option and you'll find built-in settings for the iPhone, iPod and iPad; Sony PSP and PS3; Xbox 360; Microsoft Zune; and mobiles and other devices from companies like Archos, ASUS, Creative, HTC, iRiver, LG, Nokia, Philips, BlackBerry, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and more.
That's just the start, though. Format Factory can also convert audio files and images, join videos and audio files together, repair corrupted video files, rip CDs and DVDs, create ISO images - there are useful capabilities everywhere you look.
The program is a little buggy, crashing a few times in our tests. But if you can avoid these traps then Format Factory is effective, and fairly easy to use. Drag and drop a file, choose an output format and settings, and the program will usually be creating your video in just a few clicks.
3. Handbrake
Handbrake started life as an open source DVD ripper, quickly converting the disc of your choice into a more convenient video file. The program no longer provides any means of decrypting commercial DVDs, but by way of compensation it can now import just about any video format, thanks to the inclusion of some libraries from the FFmpeg project.
Export options are rather more limited, however. You can convert to MP4, or MKV, and, well, that's it.
If all you need to do is create videos suitable for your iPod or iPhone (or anything else that requires those formats), though, Handbrake will prove an excellent choice. The program provides a lengthy list of advanced options to control the final results, for instance.
But if you prefer a simple life, then you can ignore all these and have the program working in seconds. Just specify the source and destination file names, choose one of the presets (iPod, say), then click Start, and watch as your movie is converted.
4. HAMSTER Free Video Converter
HAMSTER Free Video Converter is a well-designed conversion tool that manages to include plenty of powerful features, without compromising on ease of use.
Importing files is as easy as dragging and dropping, for instance. Batch file conversion is possible so you can drop as many files as you like, and all the usual formats are supported.
Videos may be exported as AVI, MPEG, WMV, FLV, 3GP or MP3 files (if you only need the audio). Or you can choose predefined formats that will work on particular devices: iPods, the iPad or iPhone, or hardware from BlackBerry, HTC, Nexus, Nokia, iRiver, Creative, Zune, Archos, Xbox, the PSP or PS3.
It's then easy to customise your movie by choosing a video or audio codec, setting your file resolution, deciding whether you want to deinterlace the video, and more. Your preferred settings can then be saved in a list of Favourites for easy recall later, before you launch the conversion with a click.
5. Miro Video Converter
While most conversion tools have focused on adding more and more features, Miro Video Converter has moved in the other direction, stripping away every setting and option to make the program as simple as it can possibly be.
The process starts by dragging and dropping your video onto Miro Video Converter (it can handle almost every format).
Next, you're able to choose your output type. There's specific support for the iPhone, iPad and various iPods, the Sony PSP and a range of Android phones. Or you can do a simple format conversion to an MP4, Ogg Theora or WebM video.
Finally, click Convert and the program will create a new video in the same folder as the source file (though with a new name, fortunately).
There's no scope for customising your movie in any way, then - you can't change the resolution, frame rate, bit rate or anything else. This makes the program extremely simple to use, though, so if you're put off by the more intimidating interfaces of our other tools then Miro Video Converter could be worth a look.
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Your comments (6) Click to add a new comment
richc
August 6th 2010
6. thanks for this - i've used quite a few video convertors, but found them either annoying or lacking.
Reading the home page of Handbrake, it seems the lack of support for avi is forward looking. It's just a shame the focus now is only for Apple products with a 'it might work' approach to ps3, etc.
a full on review of all these solutions might be good idea.
Personally I'd like to be able to rip dvd's (and Blu's in future) to a high quality vid file. And just encode it once to play on any format (TV, monitor, or mobile). I don't care if I have a 2GB+ film on my iphone with unnecessarily high quality. I find swapping films on and off the iphone is easier than re-encoding. (rant over)
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buttler
August 6th 2010
5. Freemake Video Converter
http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter
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bradavon
August 6th 2010
4. Super is very good but personally I prefer MediaCoder (because of the better interface). It's also free and as powerful.
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sarahd
August 5th 2010
3. Handbrake no longer saves in the 'avi' format so is next to useless. Miro Video Conv is so limited i can't think why you would suggest it unless you really don't have a clue.
Media Encoder is probably the most powerful and versatile free video encoder there is but you forgot to include it !
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gamer_144
August 4th 2010
2. LOL thanks for the heads up si_smith.
I wonder why the XviD4PSP converter is not here =/
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si_smith
August 4th 2010
1. Handbrake USED to be my converter of choice, until the developer bought an iPod, and assumed the whole world had too, and removed everything but the Apple profiles..
I dropped it straight afterwards and found better tools.
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