Hello there!
Today's topic is video and audio conversion. Lets give a scenario:
Bob downloads Y but he wants to stick it on his music player, but it won't play Y because it only supports Z.
Well Bob needs to convert (encode) that Y file to a Z file
So what do I think is the best audio/video converter?
Lets find out...
Super
Super (Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer to be precise!) provides a way to efficiently convert video and audio files.
Pros
- Efficient and fast
- Can handle many file conversions (incl. psp, ipod)
Cons
- Many options in right click context menu
- Occasionally crashes
- Program skins aren't very pretty
-The author's website is a maze to work through to actually go and download
Download: Don't download from author's site - unless you want to put your mouse wheel to the test!
Download via Majorgeeks: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Super_d5117.html
Any Video Converter (Free Version)
This program provides by far the simplest interface of all the programs. AVC can do simple conversions, but that's about it...So if you're looking for more advanced converter - look elsewhere. AVC is very simple to use, so for people who just want to do the odd video conversion simply and easily, this is a good pick
Image from any-video-converter.com
AVC supports simple video resizing and also has a useful YouTube and Google Video download
Pros
- Very simple to use
- Has useful YouTube and Google Video Download
Cons
- Doesn't support many file types (only supports one output audio file - wav)
- After encoding a nag screen pops up
Download: http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/
Format Factory
Here's how I discovered Format Factory - I was trying to convert .mkv to .mp4 files so that I could stick videos on my iPod. After searching the net far and wide for a transcoder that actually had this functionality and was easy to use.
Format Factory was one of the first applications I saw that could convert .mkv files, but I was hesitant to try the program, primarily because of the website and screenshot. They say "Never judge a book by a cover" and that saying can definately apply to Format Factory.
Format Factory managed to convert my .mkv files speedily. Of course, the application doesn't just support conversion of .mkv files.
Feature list (from website):
Of all the programs that claim to support 'All' input formats, Format Factory is the only program that I'm starting to think it actually supports all formats.
Pros
- Supports more input files than any other programs
- Highly customisable output files.
- Speedy conversion
- Relatively easy to use
Cons
- Ugly program
- Ugly website
- Big program size
Download: http://www.formatoz.com/
Media Coder
Media Coder is a free open-source audio/video transcoder. It supports many audio and video types and allows a lot of customisation to output file properties (like Super)
Some people like the interface, personally I find Super simpler to use and just as powerful
Media Coder also has 'simplified interfaces' for iPods and PSPs to make conversions simpler
Media Coder adds many features but I feel it is more for advanced users
Image from Mediacoder.sourceforge.net
Pros
- Supports loads of file types
- Relatively quick conversions
- Different 'editions' of the program provide conversion presets for different needs
Cons
- Requires Firefox to be installed or a separate add on to access settings
- The interface is quite complicated and takes some time to get used too
Download: http://www.mediacoderhq.com/editions.html
Final Verdict
My overall personal preference is Format Factory because although the program is ugly, the sheer number of formats supported is a reason to try out this program.
- honda
Today's topic is video and audio conversion. Lets give a scenario:
Bob downloads Y but he wants to stick it on his music player, but it won't play Y because it only supports Z.
Well Bob needs to convert (encode) that Y file to a Z file
So what do I think is the best audio/video converter?
Lets find out...
Super
Super (Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer to be precise!) provides a way to efficiently convert video and audio files.
Pros
- Efficient and fast
- Can handle many file conversions (incl. psp, ipod)
Cons
- Many options in right click context menu
- Occasionally crashes
- Program skins aren't very pretty
-The author's website is a maze to work through to actually go and download
Download: Don't download from author's site - unless you want to put your mouse wheel to the test!
Download via Majorgeeks: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Super_d5117.html
Any Video Converter (Free Version)
This program provides by far the simplest interface of all the programs. AVC can do simple conversions, but that's about it...So if you're looking for more advanced converter - look elsewhere. AVC is very simple to use, so for people who just want to do the odd video conversion simply and easily, this is a good pick
Image from any-video-converter.com
AVC supports simple video resizing and also has a useful YouTube and Google Video download
Pros
- Very simple to use
- Has useful YouTube and Google Video Download
Cons
- Doesn't support many file types (only supports one output audio file - wav)
- After encoding a nag screen pops up
Download: http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/
Format Factory
Here's how I discovered Format Factory - I was trying to convert .mkv to .mp4 files so that I could stick videos on my iPod. After searching the net far and wide for a transcoder that actually had this functionality and was easy to use.
Format Factory was one of the first applications I saw that could convert .mkv files, but I was hesitant to try the program, primarily because of the website and screenshot. They say "Never judge a book by a cover" and that saying can definately apply to Format Factory.
Format Factory managed to convert my .mkv files speedily. Of course, the application doesn't just support conversion of .mkv files.
Feature list (from website):
Of all the programs that claim to support 'All' input formats, Format Factory is the only program that I'm starting to think it actually supports all formats.
Pros
- Supports more input files than any other programs
- Highly customisable output files.
- Speedy conversion
- Relatively easy to use
Cons
- Ugly program
- Ugly website
- Big program size
Download: http://www.formatoz.com/
Media Coder
Media Coder is a free open-source audio/video transcoder. It supports many audio and video types and allows a lot of customisation to output file properties (like Super)
Some people like the interface, personally I find Super simpler to use and just as powerful
Media Coder also has 'simplified interfaces' for iPods and PSPs to make conversions simpler
Media Coder adds many features but I feel it is more for advanced users
Image from Mediacoder.sourceforge.net
Pros
- Supports loads of file types
- Relatively quick conversions
- Different 'editions' of the program provide conversion presets for different needs
Cons
- Requires Firefox to be installed or a separate add on to access settings
- The interface is quite complicated and takes some time to get used too
Download: http://www.mediacoderhq.com/editions.html
Final Verdict
My overall personal preference is Format Factory because although the program is ugly, the sheer number of formats supported is a reason to try out this program.
- honda
this was a surprise and it was unexpected on this forums. if you were more detailed with maybe some of the settings and features on the converters then i would have voted excellent but i voted good.
