Video Converter: How to Convert Video Files


Every now and again, you'll download a video file that your video player can't open. Or perhaps you'll need to send a video file to a person or website only to find that they expect it to be in a format or size different from the one you saved it in. Other times, you may simply need to video to be a different size for one reason or another. In all of these cases, you need to make use of a type of software known as a video converter. In this post, we'll tell you how to convert video files and how to pick the best video converter. 

What is a video converter?

A video file converter is essentially a piece of software that can read and write video in many different formats. By reading the video in the format that it is currently in, and saving it in the format you want it in, it allows you to convert to and from any supported format. Most good video converters go out of their way to support as many formats as possible. This includes different formats for both audio and video, the various options available for all those formats, and the most popular video sizes. 

How to choose a video file converter

If you only need to convert a few videos, then whatever you can get your hands on should do fine. There are even some free video converters online that will do the job. However, if converting video is something you'll be doing frequently, you may want to look into better solutions. If you'll be doing a lot of video work in general, then video editors such as Roxio Creator provide more bang for the buck. Let's look at some considerations you should make when choosing a video file converter. 

Budget

In general, software that can only convert video between different formats won't break the bank. You can even find a variety of free options available. It's good to consider software that does more than convert video though, if your future video production needs are likely to grow. As you expand the capabilities of the software you are considering, you must of course begin to factor your budget into the equation. 

Formats supported

The best video converter in the world isn't going to be very useful if it doesn't support the formats that you need to convert to or from. If you have specific format needs, make sure to evaluate the feature list of any video converter you are considering to ensure it supports those formats. 

Ease-of-use

Most video formats have a ton of options. Getting the best results out of all these options requires you to know a fair amount about video encoding in general, and the formats you are using in particular. A lot of the cheaper software will leave you to figure out these options on your own. Better software will provide quick and easy presets that make finding the right settings a breeze. 

Additional features

Several times now, we've mentioned that it’s desirable to pick a video converter that will handle all of your video-related needs. The most commonly needed additional feature is an editor. Video editors themselves come in all different shapes, sizes, and capabilities. Other common features include the ability to burn video to disc or easily share it online. 

Conclusion

In this post, you've learned what a video converter is and how to pick one. You've also learned that most people who need a video converter eventually pick a software package that can do much more than the task of converting video, in order to get the most out of their money and avoid needing to have multiple software packages. The next step is to make a list of the available options and start comparing features. Be sure to give Roxio Creator a try as well. It can convert, edit, burn, and share video in an easy-to-use package.

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