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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.
Device-oriented Programs
Pazera Video Converters Suite Pazera Converter Screenshot 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.
Miro ImageFor 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.
FormatFactory ScreenShot 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.
link : [url]http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-audio-video-format-conversion-program.htm#Quick_Selection_Guide[/url]
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.
Device-oriented Programs
Pazera Video Converters Suite Pazera Converter Screenshot 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.
Miro ImageFor 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.
FormatFactory ScreenShot 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.
link : [url]http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-audio-video-format-conversion-program.htm#Quick_Selection_Guide[/url]