Free video conversion software

Arch

Hey H/A dudes!

I am trying to import a 30 second video into LibreOffice, and apparently LibreOffice doesn't play well with .MP4. I want to convert the file to something it can handle (apparently .avi works?) and need some suggestions for free converters.

Thanks dudes

ArbitraryDescriptor

VLC doesn't just play anything, it can also reencode things. www.videolan.org

If you need batch conversion with a GUI, you could do worse than Handbrake. www.Handbrake.fr

If you want batch conversion, and insanely precise control at the expense of an insanely obtuse command line interface, ffmpeg is the best thing ever. ffmpeg.org

grouch993

oops, already suggested before I hit return on the post. How an old fashioned "agree" for Handbrake?

Arch

ArbitraryDescriptor wrote: »

VLC doesn't just play anything, it can also reencode things. www.videolan.org

If you need batch conversion with a GUI, you could do worse than Handbrake. www.Handbrake.fr

If you want batch conversion, and insanely precise control at the expense of an insanely obtuse command line interface, ffmpeg is the best thing ever. ffmpeg.org

For some reason, when I use VLC to re-encode the video, it only re-encodes the first seven seconds. What am I doing wrong? Is there a tutorial for this somewhere?

VLC assumes I know a lot more about video files than I actually do.

ArbitraryDescriptor

Sorry @Arch , figured it was worth a shot. Every now and then VLC just doesn't like an input and dicks everything up, that's why I use ffmpeg for everything. Just try one of the others, the ffmpeg command line for this is easy:

Assuming your video is in the same folder as the exe:

ffmpeg.exe -i yourvid.mp4 yourvid.avi

Replace 'avi' with whatever you like: mov, wmv, webm

http://svnpenn.blogspot.com/2011/10/ffmpeg-basics.html?m=1

ThunderSaid

Handbrake is about the easiest converter I've ever used, and I don't think it should have any problems with what you're trying to do.

duddy11

ThunderSaid wrote: »

Handbrake is about the easiest converter I've ever used, and I don't think it should have any problems with what you're trying to do.

That is right. Handbreak is a good and easy-to-use converter.
But it only can output MP4 or MKV file Containers.
LibreOffice by itself doesn't support any media files (it could play wavs directly, but that is of limited use, and not sure whether this is gone as well now) - LibreOffice relies on the operating system's media support.

i use AppGeeker. it can convert/edit basically any type of video file. It has Windows and Mac version.

Here is a source of MP4 to AVI conversion for example: How to convert MP4 to AVI on Mac or Windows

BTW, i have a Windows 7 computer and a MacBook. The tool works well for me.

James.

Seeks

Seconding ffmpeg and handbrake. If you're using windows, I think there's a thing called 'winff' that acts as a GUI front-end to ffmpeg.

djmitchella

http://vidcoder.codeplex.com is an even-easier-to-use front end to handbrake; it'll convert from video files as well as dvd/etc.

If that doesn't work, then "super video converter" (from erightsoft) probably will; it has an awful overcomplicated UI, but there's not much it won't do if you're persistent enough.