Best Free Audio / Video Format Conversion Program

Introduction

There are many different audio and video formats out there, and most devices (such as the iPod) and programs (such as Windows Media Player) will only take a few specific formats. A DVD or WMV movie will not play on an iPod, for example, without being converted into an MP4 file. Many commercial programs will do this conversion for you, but there are a few good ones that will do it for free. None of these programs are quite perfect, and they tend to fall into a few general categories: Device-oriented programs users have very easy-to-use settings and many device presets, but few (if any) user-editable settings. They are meant for converting audio and video so it can play on a portable device, such as an iPod. Custom-oriented programs have lots of settings and the ability to save custom formats, but fewer device presets and more complicated interface. They are meant for odd devices or compressing audio and video. Hybrid programs make compromises to handle both types of jobs well. Audio-only programs use their narrow focus to make the interface simpler. While some are better than others overall, which one is best for you will depend on what sort of program you need. Note: I don't own DVDs, so I'm not qualified to review DVD rippers. If you want to review them, or have software suggestions, leave them here.

Discussion

Device-oriented Programs Pazera Video Converters Suite is really a package of several separate device converters with a common launcher. Each converter is powerful, with several presets for device, custom tweaking/profiles, multiple-file support, all in a simple text-based interface. If you don't mind the launcher, you could effectively use it as a hybrid converter.   For even easier device conversion, there is Miro Video Converter. With just a dozen device presets and support for only one file at a time, it's a bad choice for power users. However, its brutally simple interface is newbie-proof, and conversion quality is on par with other programs.   Also recommended: XMedia Recode: Like an ugly Miro, but supports multiple simultaneous files and more devices. DVDVideoSoft Free: Pazera without custom tweaks; has neat tricks like Youtube downloading and video tweaking.   Hybrid Programs When iWisoft Free Video Converter starts, it launches your browser for an upgrade check. Fortunately, that's the only thing bad about it. Its interface is a little slow, but extremely clean, well organized, and easy to use. It has a complete and well-organized collection of presets, and supports making and saving basic tweaks, too. It even has a few pleasant surprises, such as a basic editing suite built in. In short, this program is an outstanding choice for most device conversion.   For the few exceptions (such as old phones and DVDs), FormatFactory is an excellent choice. It has presets for over 100 devices, converts to and from dozens of formats, and allows for advanced tweaking and custom profiles. On the downside, the sidebar-and-popup interface is garish and clumsy (though responsive and stable). Overall, this program is a good choice for power or device users who find iwiSoft lacking.   Also recommended: Ultimate Video Converter: Only handles single files, but simplest converter with both iPod and custom settings.   Custom-oriented Programs If you need to make complex, custom jobs, FFCoder is the standout choice for its coherence. Like most programs in this review, it has an excellent device preset list, the ability to convert multiple files at once, and a simple, sleek interface. Unlike them, it supports highly advanced configuration for each of the dozens of video formats and codecs, down to lighting and rendering settings. Despite a few dependencies (listed below) and a learning curve for any tweaks past the presets, this is the best converter for almost any power user, device owner or not.   Also recommended: MediaCoder: Has a solid, if fragmented, GUI. Wide format support. Not quite stable. XVID4PSP: Supports myriad tweaks. Impossibly fragmented interface. Solid AviSynth support. SUPER: Stabler than Mediacoder. Great for small, obscure tweaks. Has an annoying interface.   Audio-only Programs Pazera Free Audio Extractor is the audio-only program in the above-mentioned Pazera Video Converters Suite. It supports both video and audio input and output to many formats, and is slightly simpler than some of its sibling programs. Otherwise, it is perfectly identical.   Also recommended: Koyote Soft Free mp3 wma Converter: Slightly simpler interface, but clunkier.   Tested and not recommended: Koyote Soft Free Video Converter: iWisoft, but clunkier. Also minor sneakware. Actusoft Free Video Converter: iWisoft with bad presets and other minor bugs. Extensoft Free Video Converter: iWisoft style, but single-file only and with few presets Auto Gordian Knot: Limited valid inputs and advanced options, DivX/AVI output only. Oxelon Media Converter: Too few possible tweaks for a program with no device support. Any/Aura Video Converter: FormatFactory with less options. Quick Media Converter: XMedia Recode with garish interface. Videora/Audioro: Slow, limited batch support, seperate programs for audio and video. WinFF: Pazera without the tweaking, Quick Media Converter without the eye candy. HandBrake: Convert to H.264 files only, Windows stability problems. MeGUI: May have AviSynth, but has indecipherable settings and no presets

Related Products and Links

You might want to check out these articles too: Best Free Audio Editing Software Best Free Software to Cut, Split or Merge Audio Files Best Free CD Ripper Best Free MP3 Tag Editor

Quick Selection Guide

Pazera Video Converters Suite      Excellent presets, easy to use, custom profiles   Looks intimidating, separate programs for each output type, no advanced tweaks   http://www.pazera-software.com/products/vcsuite/   http://www.pazera-software.com/products/vcsuite/   29.7 MB    1.2    Unrestricted Freeware    NT/98/Me/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7   Portable

Miro Video Converter      Brutally easy-to-use device conversion   only one file at a time, no profile or generic tweaking, only MP4   http://www.mirovideoconverter.com/   http://www.mirovideoconverter.com/   6.9 MB    Open Source    2000/XP/2003/Vista/7, .NET Framework

iWisoft Free Video Converter       Simple polished interface, file and preset editing allowed, good device presets   Checks for updates on startup, requires WMP   http://www.iwisoft.com/videoconverter/   http://www.iwisoft.com/videoconverter/download-video-converter.php   8.7 MB    1.2.0    Unrestricted Freeware    NT/2000/XP/Vista/7   Portable version available [1]

FormatFactory        Stable, many device presets   eBay ads and toolbar nag, too many presets, interface annoying   http://www.formatoz.com/index.html   http://www.formatoz.com/download.html   21.5 MB    2.30    Unrestricted Freeware    NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, .NET Framework

FFCoder       Solid preset list, highly advanced tweaks, sleek interface   Dependencies, no installer   http://teejee2008.wordpress.com/ffcoder/   http://teejee2008.wordpress.com/ffcoder/   24.4 MB    0.99.0.0   Non-Commercial Freeware   2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista/7   Portable   Requires .NET and AviSynth

Pazera Free Audio Extractor     Great presets, supports many input and output formats, easy to use, custom profiles   No advanced tweaks   http://www.pazera-software.com/products/audio-extractor/   http://www.pazera-software.com/products/audio-extractor/   2.5 MB    1.3    Unrestricted Freeware    NT/98/Me/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7   Portable

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