TL;DR: Video format compatibility issues are common across devices and platforms, making video conversion essential for smooth playback, editing, storage, and online sharing. You can convert videos offline using tools like Video Converter Ultimate, VLC, or iMovie (Mac), or online via platforms such as 123APPS Video Converter, Online Convert, Aconvert, and Cloudconvert. Offline tools often offer higher quality and batch processing, while online tools provide convenience without installation. Choosing the right method depends on your device, desired format, and conversion needs.
With the increasing number of devices and platforms, compatibility issues between different video formats have become more and more apparent. You may have encountered situations like this: a downloaded video cannot be played on your phone, or the format is not supported when you try to upload a video to a social media platform. To ensure smooth playback or sharing of videos, learning how to change video formats is especially important. This article will introduce several methods to help you easily convert video formats.
Converting video files serves several purposes and can be necessary for some reasons:
There are plenty of tools and methods to help you convert video formats offline. You can leverage them to change video format effortlessly without needing a constant internet connection.
Video Converter Ultimate is a powerful video format conversion tool that supports fast conversion between almost all mainstream video formats. Its interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy for even beginners to use. Users simply need to import video files, select the desired output format, and make basic adjustments to settings if needed, then complete the conversion with a single click.
The software not only supports batch conversion but also maintains high video quality during the process, while offering additional features such as compression, trimming, and enhancement. It is an ideal tool for users who frequently work with video formats.
Key Features of Video Converter Ultimate:
Here is how to change the video format using Video Converter Ultimate:
01Download, install, and launch Video Converter Ultimate on your computer.
02Click Add Files to add media files. Alternatively, drag and drop to add the video you want to change the format of to save time.
03Click the format button next to the video file and select a preset from the list of available options. Click the gear icon to change the format settings.
04Set the destination folder at the bottom bar, then click Convert All.
VLC is a free, open-source, cross-platform media player that can help you with your video format conversion needs. It can work on Mac and Windows devices effortlessly. Here is how to change the video format with VLC offline:
Step 1. Download and run VLC Media Player on your device–assuming you've not installed it.
Step 2. Click on the Media menu at the top-left corner of the VLC window, and then select Convert/Save.
Step 3. In the Open Media window that appears, click the Add button to select the video file you want to convert. After adding the video file, click the Convert/Save button at the bottom of the window.
Step 4. In the Convert window, you can choose the output profile for your video conversion. Click the Browse button to specify where you want to save the converted video file and provide a name for it.
Step 5. Once you've configured all the settings, click the Start button to begin the video conversion process.
In addition to changing video formats, you can also read the article below to learn how to compress videos using VLC.
How to Compress Video with VLC in 4 Different Ways & Best AlternativeIf you're a Mac user, you've perhaps heard of iMovie, a free video editing app designed by Apple for its OS devices. It is popular for its creativity and limitless functionalities.
Besides allowing you to watch and edit video files, iMovie is also an expert at converting video files to different formats. Here is how to change a video file type using iMovie on Mac:
Step 1. Launch iMovie on your Mac.
Step 2. Import your video file. To change the format of your video, you'll need to export your project with the desired format. To do this, click on the File menu at the top-left corner of the screen and select Share.
Step 3. In the Share menu, you'll see various sharing options. To change the video format, select File.
Step 4. In the File Export settings, you can choose various options, including the video format, resolution, quality, and more. To change the format, click on the Format drop-down menu and select the desired format.
Step 5. Specify where you want to save the exported video by clicking the Next button and selecting a location on your computer. Click the Save button to start the export process. iMovie will convert and save your video in the selected format.
Note: Unfortunately, unlike Video Converter Ultimate, iMovie tends to be limited and picky with its compatible formats. It limits import file formats to HDV (High Definition Video), MOV (QuickTime files), MPEG-2, AVCHD, and MPEG-4 (MP4). If your video is in none of these formats, you may need to first convert it externally before importing it to iMovie.
Offline tools provide the convenience of not needing internet connections all the time to work. On the other hand, with online video format changers, you don't need to download or install any software.
With a working internet connection, you can use these online video converters to change video formats in the comfort of your web browser. This section highlights some common ways and methods to change video formats online for free.
Video Converter by 123APPS is a popular video format changer available for free on your web browser. You don't need to download any software or register an account. It supports over 300 video formats for conversion. There is no limit on the number of video files you can convert. Besides, the Video Converter can also convert audio files. Here is how to change a video format with Video Converter:
Step 1. Open the video format changer in your browser.
Step 2. Click Open file or either of the alternative file sources (Dropbox, Drive, or URL) to import your video.
Step 3. Select the preferred format from the top bar. Go to the drop-down menu to select the preferred resolution.
Step 4. Click Settings for advanced settings.
Step 5. Click Convert to change the file's video format and settings. Once done, click the Download button to save the converted video file.
Online Convert is another web-based video format changer with little to no requirements but a relatively impeccable output. Besides video format conversion, Online Convert can help convert documents, audio, web services, devices, images, ebooks, etc. Here is how to convert a video to a different format with Online Convert:
Step 1. Open the file converter's site in your web browser.
Step 2. Select Video Converter from the list of available tools.
Step 3. Select the video format conversion type you want.
Step 4. For example, we will be converting our file to 3G2. Click Choose File or drag and drop to upload the video file you want to convert.
Step 5. Once the video is uploaded, scroll down to set the conversion preferences. Finally, click Start to begin the video file conversion.
Step 6. Click Download to save the converted video file.
Aconvert is yet another free online tool to change a video format at the convenience of your browser. It has a simple and easy-to-navigate user interface. No unwanted ad interruptions, no need to download external video format converters, and no need to register for use. Here is how to reformat a video file with Aconvert online for free:
Step 1. Open Aconvert in your browser.
Step 2. Click Browse to select your video file for formatting.
Step 3. Click Target Format to select the preferred output file format.
Step 4. Click Options to open more advanced settings like video size, bitrate, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio bitrate, and aspect ratio.
Step 5. Hit the Convert Now button.
Step 6. Click the download icon to save the converted file.
Cloudconvert is an online file converter that can perform video conversions in multiple formats. Avoid the hassle of signing up for usage or downloading external programs to help you change video formats.
Cloudconvert supports popular formats like MP4, AVI, WEBM, etc. In addition, it allows you to customize options like video resolutions, file size, and quality. Here is how to reformat a video file with Cloudconvert online for free:
Step 1. Navigate to the converter's online page.
Step 2. Click Select File to add the video file you want to convert.
Step 3. Tap Convert to and select the destination video format. You can change multiple video formats at once by clicking Add more files.
Step 4. Click Convert to start the video format conversion.
Converting video files to different formats improves quality, saves space, and increases compatibility. However, you need a dedicated video format converter to achieve the perfect balance between the output video quality and the desired conversion level. Video Converter Ultimate is the industry leader for offline video format changers. It allows you to change video formats for multiple files. Download and install Video Converter Ultimate to convert video formats easily and efficiently.
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