Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I have wanted to convert some music videos from Windows Media Video files to MPEG files, then trim them to ratio 4:3.

I am feeling sortta hoodwinked by this (or maybe I'm just plain dumb when it comes to such technical matters) ...

I have downloaded two supposedly free converters (Prism and AVS4YOU) ... but they both now say the trial has expired ... WHAT FLIPPIN TRIAL? One I have used once, the other not at all ... and now it seems I have to purchase the paid versions or have a watermark in the middle or such. Yikes! ... I don't want to pay ... when programs like Audacity are totally totally free. Does anyone know of, and can direct me to a totally free video format converter ... not one that is toted as, and pretends to be, but turns out not to be, free. Thanks.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Clear Drops

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

http://media-convert.com/

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Pere

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Programs like Audacity are 'open source'.

Open source refers to a software movement that believes software development is best handled by the collective, that the ownership of software is a bogus concept, and that software should be free.

Ideology aside, googling 'open source video convert' leads me to
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Encoders-Converter-DIVX-Related/MediaCoder.shtml

Which is exactly what you want. I'd encourage you, whenever you need a piece of software, to preface your search with 'open source', and you will have much better luck.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by twitchard

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Hey twitchard, that is one of them above that I downloaded ... but there's a subscription fee: of $59 unlimited or $39 for one year ... although its toted as free, when it isn't.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Clear Drops

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Thanks Pere. I'll have to sit down to work it out, but it looks as though it might do the trick. I'll have to see ... it certainly says its totally free. We'll see!

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Clear Drops

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Sorry Pere, that also leads, when you get into the blurb, to AVS4YOU and Prism ... the two I've already downloaded. Prism says the function I want is not available on its free converter ... would have to upgrade to the paid one ... sigh! ... and AVS4YOU is subscription unless you want a watermark in the middle of the clip ... sigh! Its sounding like too much trouble and expense for something trivial ... not worth the effort ... maybe ... unless its totally free.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Clear Drops

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Hey Clear Drops, looks like Pere has you covered.
Just thought I'd mention VLC media player;
http://download.cnet.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10267151.html
It has come up in past discussions.
I believe it can cover quite a few conversions.
I don't have any 1st hand experience using VLC to do video conversions (so sorry) but thought you might like to know it is another possibility.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Ben Steen

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I'm almost sure you are mistaken, Clear Drops. I don't see any indication of any subscription fee anywhere. It's hosted on sourceforge, which only hosts true, genuine, free, open source software.

Try downloading it from here, maybe? Give it another try. http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/index.htm

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by twitchard

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Windows Movie Maker is free, and if you're running XP or higher it is probably already installed on your computer. You can import different clip formats and splice them together. However, I have never really used the program and don't know if it's possible to change the aspect ratios like you want.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by polkageist

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Random_notes, you're right that VLC can do conversions, but I've never had much success with it. However, it's a great media player and can cope with HD, FLV and others.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Mark Harmer

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Have you tried handbrake? (just google that)

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by samburnstone

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I've had great luck with Kate's Video Converter http://download.cnet.com/Kate-s-Video-Converter-Free/3000-2194_4-10637928.html

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by RogueFiddler

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I've had a lot of good results with Any Video Converter:

http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/

They've got a free version that works very well, and a professional version with even more features....

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by KeepFiddlin'

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I've been using the extremely versatile and free "Super ©" for a long time now with no problems. The current version is Super © v2009.build.35 which you can get from http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html

The interface is very straightforward, which presumably retains the speed which you could lose from a full GUI. To use Super ©most effectively may require a modicum of geekiness - but then thesession.org isn't exactly lacking for geek gods and goddesses (ahem!).

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Trevor Jennings

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I thought you didn't have to download anything on my link. It's an online converter.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Pere

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Pere, you are correct ~ it is an online converter.
At the same time AVS video converter plasters their ad (& download button) everywhere they possibly can.
I clicked on the online media converter just now.
It is there just like you said.

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Ben Steen

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Super from erightsoft and Virtualdub for editing

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by mactavish

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Yes Virginia there is a software Santa Claus

You might want to check out this site that consistently done good reviews of free software. http://www.techsupportalert.com/

For Video converters see his page
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-audio-video-format-conversion-program.htm

best

Liam

# Posted on April 13th 2009 by billiamconkey

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

WinFF is free, and small. It does a handful of useful conversions of audio and video (including .flv if you have a grabber) but you'll have to get something else if you want to edit the content.

# Posted on April 14th 2009 by gravelwalks

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

Thank you everyone ... now I just need time to fiddle with them and see what works best fer me ... and my holiday is over ... sigh!

# Posted on April 14th 2009 by Clear Drops

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

iWisoft Free Video Converter can fast convert videos between all popular formats like AVI, MPEG, WMV, DivX, XviD, MP4, H.264/AVC, AVCHD, FLV, MKV, RM, MOV, 3GP, and audio MP3, WMA, WAV, RA, M4A, AAC, AC3, OGG. Directly convert video for playback on your PSP, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, PS3, Xbox, Zune, Creative Zen, Archos and other digital multimedia devices.

The video converter also has powerful video editing functions including crop, trim, merge, adding watermark and special effects. And it's totally free!

Feature:
1. Input and output all the vdieo, audio, image formats with good quality.
2. Video editing function: merge, trim, crop video.
3. Batch conversion mode.
4. Totally free!

http://www.easy-video-converter.com/

# Posted on November 19th 2009 by uygvu

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I have been used video converter for 3 years, because of my work, an editor of a website, I have to cut many videos a day, and combine, convert, edit them. So, I used various video converter, I think any video converter and leawo video converter are the best ones, for any video converter is very easy to use, and leawo video converter has a good convert speed with high quality. I use them both.
[url=http://www.leawo.com/leawo-video-converter/]http://www.leawo.com/leawo-video-converter/[/url]

# Posted on March 1st 2011 by kerryzeng

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

leawo video converter, http://www.leawo.com/leawo-video-converter/

# Posted on March 1st 2011 by kerryzeng

Re: Totally free video format converters ... is there any such thing?

I have the same experience with you. It's very hard to find a totally free software and it is good. Finally, I gave up. I bought one which I thought is OK. There is one thing free one will not have is that you can get technical support from the purchased one.

# Posted on July 26th 2011 by howardhaines98