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The Mega Guide to

Media File
Conversion Tools in
Windows
Written by Gavin Phillips
Published June 2015.
Read the original article here: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/mega-guide-media-file-conversiontools-windows/
This ebook is the intellectual property of MakeUseOf. It must only be published in its original form.
Using parts or republishing altered parts of this ebook is prohibited without permission from
MakeUseOf.com.

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Table of contents

Audio

Free WMA MP3 Converter 1.8

VLC

MediaHuman Audio Converter

iTunes

Foobar2000

Audacity

SUPER

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Video2MP3 / Anything2MP3

11

Video

12

VLC

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HandBrake

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Any Video Converter

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Avi2Dvd

15

Free Studio

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Images

18

IrfanView

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ImageMagick

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Zamzar

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http://www.neftojpg.com/

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Other File Types

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Ascii Ascii Generator 2

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Icons iConvert Icons

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Unknown File Extensions

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Any File Type

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Konvertor FM

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Format Factory

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Round-up

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Whether new to computing or Internet savant, youll likely have scrambled around the web looking for
a media file converter at some point. It stands to reason: there are an awful lot of file types around and
not every bit of software comes equipped to handle each flavor.
We thought, Why not save everyone loads of time and put them all in one place? Eventually, we
emerged clutching this mega-list of the best free media file converters for Windows. Youll find
converters for audio, video, images, and many more media file types. Go ahead and find the
converter you need right now.

Audio
Audio converters are dime-a-dozen, with countless free options striving to grab your attention. They
all perform a similar task converting your music but which tool does it best, and what other
features does the software have? Well clue you in.

Free WMA MP3 Converter 1.8

Supports: MP3, WAV, WMA
Often, it isnt the flashiest, biggest, or the most expensive piece of technology that does the job the
best. This is certainly true for software. Having tried a couple of alternative choices for this category, I
found Eusing Softwares Free WMA MP3 Converter 1.8 to be the best choice, believe it or not.

It offers quick conversion for several file types, a tiny download, and updates your id3 tags where
required during batch conversion (see options). You can choose your compression method, the
sample rate, bitrate, and whether you want stereo or mono output. Sounds basic? It is but thats
what makes it appealing.
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VLC
Supports: FLAC, MP3, MP4, OGG
VLC is an extremely versatile tool, not only for the massive range of supported video formats, but for
its conversion tools, too. Open VLC. Head to Media > Convert/Save. This is the dialogue box you
should see:

Click Add and browse to your MP4 file, then proceed to Convert/Save. Now, you need to specify
the Destination file. This bit is quite important, as it alters the type of file you end up with. Change
the Save as Type to All. Enter file name you want followed by either .mp3, .ogg, or .flac. Check the
image if you need help my final file name was trains.mp3. Hit save when you are ready.
Next, we need to alter the conversion profile to match the desired output. If you want an MP3, then
choose Audio MP3, Audio OGG, and so on. You can now click Start, and the conversion will
begin, leaving you with an .mp3.

MediaHuman Audio Converter

Supports: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG WMA, WAV
I found the MediaHuman Audio Converter an excellent choice here. Whilst FLAC is probably the best
format for audio quality, sometimes it is necessary to convert to a compressed format to fit all of your
millions of tracks onto a single portable music device. MediaHuman Audio Converter does exactly
that: converts, quickly, quietly, with a wide range of available input and output formats, including Apple
Lossless for iDevices, supremely handy for those cross-platform users.

Rapid automated batch conversion (I was converting five or six files at a time at some points),
automatic disk cover search for files containing id3 tags, folder structure retention, and iTunes support
make this converter worth a good look.
The MediaHuman Converter can take video formats and strip the audio, converting it into a handy,
compressed MP3.
It also features handy social media plugins, just in case you are outrageously excited by converting
your files

iTunes
Supports: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, WAV
Converting from Advanced Audio Coding to MP3 is a somewhat questionable process. Both are lossy
formats meaning that converting from one to the other results in further compression, equating to
further loss in overall sound quality. However, it can be exceptionally useful for those with legacy
devices with minute storage, where the accepted file format is still MP3.
Originally designed as the successor to MP3, it achieves better sound quality with slightly smaller bit
rates than its predecessor. This is another format you can convert with software you may already have
on your computer. iTunes is surprisingly versatile, and despite the iTunes store delivering your files in
AAC format, Apple realizes that many devices, including their own iPods, still use MP3 as their primary
music format. So, how do you do it?

Open iTunes and head to the menu, situated in the top left. Select Preferences. Head for Import
Settings. There are several settings here, and youll note the options for MP3 and AAC encoding.
Check the settings: ensure youre not converting to a lower bit rate, or your music will begin to lose
quality rapidly. Head back to your iTunes music collection.

Select the tracks you want to convert, and right-click. Select Create MP3 Version to begin
converting your selection. Youll end up with two copies of each track, so you can decide which
format offers you the sound quality you want.
You can alter the import settings for the format of your choice.

If youre using iTunes, you may also be interested in our article on converting AVI & MKV files to add
videos to iTunes.
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Foobar2000
Supports: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, Ogg, Opus, WAV, and more via encoder packages.
Foobar2000 is a firm favourite of mine. Not only does it have a ridiculously small memory footprint,
you can customise it again, and again, and again. It is a supremely versatile piece of media software,
so by now youre probably not surprised to hear it can convert music, too, with the right add-ons.
Before you begin converting, youll need to download the additional encoders for the most popular
formats: AAC, FLAC, MP3, and AIFF amongst others. Once youve downloaded and installed the
encoders, open Foobar and locate the music you want to convert. The conversion function works on
individual tracks or entire playlists, so its your choice here. Right click the music tracks and select
convert, which should have been added to your context menu.

Despite the previously mentioned issues when encoding from one lossy format to another, well go
ahead and convert from MP3 to AAC, just for fun you can see the warning Foobar raises. Click past
it, and continue. Your files will be converted swiftly into the destination folder of your choice.

There is an extended range of Foobar encoders available from rarewares.org, seriously expanding the
range of available formats for your music and audio file collection.

Audacity
Supports: AIFF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, and more.
Audacity is probably one of the single most useful audio tools around. While it isnt strictly a converter,
Audacity opens almost every format and can save to plenty, too. It is one of the most downloaded
pieces of open-source software featured on SourceForge, is available in some 35 languages, and is
still receiving plenty of updates throughout each year.
You can import and export numerous audio formats and its support network, community, and general
cross-platform versatility have won it massive support in the professional world.

Once youve downloaded and installed Audacity, open it up. Head to File > Import > Audio, and
locate the audio tracks you wish to convert. Once imported, head straight back to File > Export
Audio. Youll now face a dialog box asking where you want to save your converted audio files. Adjust
the file type here will alter your final audio type.

SUPER
Supports: Any and all audio and video formats.
Now, some software is extremely useful, but comes with its caveats, and SUPER is most definitely
one of those arriving on your computer with extreme warnings. Yes, it is powerful, yes, it features
pretty much every audio file format under the sun, but unless you seriously watch whats occurring
during the installation, you will end up with a serious Internet Explorer 6 toolbar situation, and worse.

That said, the sheer range of SUPERs formats makes the horrific installation worthwhile just keep
declining and reading everything until youre through to the other side. SUPER is actually a GUI
package for FFmpeg, MEncoder, MPlayer, x264, MusePack, Monkeys audio, Shorten audio, TAK
audio, True audio, WavPack, the libavcodec library and the theora/vorbis RealProducers plugin. With
all that packed into one install package, you can see the converting appeal to the software but very
seriously, consider the health of your computer before clicking through the installation.
The maker of SUPER acknowledges their role in compiling the software in a credits spiel when closing
the program but makes no offer of an apology!
N.B: One of my outstanding colleagues pointed me towards Unchecky. Once installed, Unchecky will
attempt to keep any unwanted bundled programs out of your computer.

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Video2MP3 / Anything2MP3
Supports: YouTube, SoundCloud, online media sources.
YouTube is home to billions of videos. SoundCloud is home millions of hours of music. Downloading
from either site is illegal, breaking the terms of service you agreed to. Even if you havent signed up to
the service, downloading from YouTube is copyright infringement. The same goes for SoundCloud.
Despite this, countless websites exist with the sole aim of extracting audio from the depths of
YouTube, SoundCloud, and any number of streaming sites.
You agree not to circumvent, disable or otherwise interfere with security-related features of the
Service or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any Content or enforce limitations on
use of the Service or the Content therein. YouTube Terms of Service

However, a number of YouTube videos do exist with download buttons, and these are considered fair
game by the service. Similarly, the fair-use legal doctrine explicitly states that certain types of material
may be considered usable without express consent from the copyright holder. These usually include
commentaries, criticisms, research, teachings, and news reports but not music.
A court would decide each case on an individual basis, so we cannot be entirely sure which YouTube
content would be considered fair use, but it is worth considering that fair use doctrines work
differently depending on your location. We should also note the most common misconception of fair
use rules: handing credit to the copyright owner doesnt automatically transform the copyright.

With that said, if you are downloading and converting legal video or audio, my converter of choice is
video2mp3. It is relatively fast, converts to a higher bit rate than most other sites 256kbps, meaning
better audio quality and there are currently no limits on the number of videos you can convert.
Another excellent conversion site is anything2mp3. Much the same as the previously listed site, but
features a ridiculously large amount of inputs seriously, check it out.

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Video
Video conversion software has the same pitfalls as audio: there are so many different pieces of
software vying for your attention, but which one should you choose? If youd like to watch videos
while on the go, we have a separate guide on converting videos to smartphone friendly formats using
HandBrake and SUPER.

VLC
Supports: H.264, MP4, MPEG-2, WMV, and more.
Just as VLC is a useful converter for MP4 to MP3, it can also be used to convert video formats from
one to another.
Open VLC. Head to Media > Convert/Save. This is the dialogue box you should see:

Click Add and browse to the video(s) you wish to convert, and hit Convert/Save. You now need to
specify the Destination file. Again, this aspect is very important as it alters the file type youll end up
with. Im converting an MP4 to H.264, so Ill add H.264 to the end of my file name, as per the image
below. Change the file type to All, and hit Save. VLC requires you to specify the container type for the
finished conversion, just as it does for the audio conversion.
Once everything is in place you can click Start to begin converting your file(s). Please be aware that
large video files can take some time to convert, especially those in extremely high compression
formats. Video conversion can also be quite the system resource hog, so those lengthy, high quality
videos could take some time whilst rendering other aspects of your computer unusable, depending
on the processing power of your machine.
We love VLC because it supports a massive range of video formats, and its conversion tool is no
different, offering you the full gamut of popular video file types.

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HandBrake
Supports: H.264, MKV, MP4, MPEG-2, WMV, and more.
Now, HandBrake is a super useful video conversion tool. It converts a massive range of video formats
and has a really friendly, intuitive GUI to boot.

Perhaps HandBrakes best feature is the inbuilt device presets ranging from iPods and iPads, to
Android devices, and AppleTVs, all with numerous options to tweak to your hearts desire.
I used the H.264 video file we converted in the previous section and converted it into the now
massively popular container .mkv, adjusting the video width and aspect ratio in the process, whilst
cropping some from each side of the final product.

Then, when youve fiddled with all the settings, its as easy as hitting Start. Of course, you dont have
to fiddle with settings. You can just straight-up convert your videos into the format you require in a
massively straightforward process.
A definite winner, in all senses.

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Any Video Converter

Supports: AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, FLV, and MP3, OGG, AAC, WMA, WAV, FLAC, and a handful more.
Im always slightly sceptical of software that bundles a toolbar in the installation, but AVC kindly
proved me wrong and I know that free software has to make money somehow, I just wish it wasnt
by polluting our computers!

AVC features an extensive range of video format inputs including AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, and FLV,
outputting to a similarly extended list. AVC can also convert MP4 and other video formats into a single
audio track, outputting into MP3, OGG, AAC, WMA, WAV, and FLAC.
Finally, AVC comes with inbuilt video downloading and conversion features. You can grab video from
YouTube, DailyMotion, Vimeo, Metacafe and more, group them together and batch convert them
within the same piece of software. It also features some basic video editing tools: cutting, cropping,
colour corrections, rotations and margins feature it doesnt hold a candle to professional software,
but to edit a video quickly, on the fly, it can be quite useful.

It is relatively fast, robust, and the user interface is easy to navigate nothing is hidden, settings are
easy to toggle, and youre never found reaching for the user manual. Its pretty handy all round, and
worth a shout!
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Avi2Dvd
Supports: AVI, OGM, MKV, MP4, WMV, DVD
What converter list would be complete without venerable old converter Avi2Dvd. I used this when I
was younger, and it still stands up to the task now.

The biggest downside is the frankly ridiculous installation package that still sifts through the various
encoders required to convert the growing range of video containers the software can handle.
HandBrake probably has wider functionality and definitely requires less of a hawkseye oversight during
installation, but for a compact video converted with DVD burning functionality, Avi2Dvd is still a nice
little piece of software.

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Free Studio
Supports: All major video, audio and image formats.
Free Studio is coverall converter. It features Video, Audio and Image conversion tools, all of which
work relatively well, providing an efficient conversion rate with a solid output. Youll have to watch the
installation, however, as there is some potential for irritation with bonus toolbars and spyware
abundant see our earlier suggestion for dealing with this issues, under the SUPER converter
section.

It isnt the fastest, but it can be handy having the plethora of tools included with Free Studio all under
one software roof. Also included is a download manager for online video sources, taking files from
YouTube, Dailymotion, and Instagram to name a few.

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Freemake Video Converter

Supports: 300+ video, audio and image formats.
Freemake Video Converter is another coverall video tool, with a few handy features, and a couple of
handy export tools, too. You can import from all of the standard video formats youd expect avi,
mp4, mkv, wmv, flv, etc as well as a host of slightly more obscure formats. You can then export the
videos to a number of presets including Apple, Android, PSP, and Xbox, bookmarking those formats
you frequently export too.

Finally, you can import your images into the Freemake Video Converter and itll automatically create a
playlist for you to export to your mobile device, or send to your friends. Oh, and another handy tool is
the subtitles. You can import subtitles from the web and upload them alongside your videos where
required. A nice feature that doesnt seem to appear in too many other pieces of software.
Aside from the tools, Freemake is pretty quick at converting, and the UI is easy to get around.

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Images
Over the years Ive been computing, Ive used countless image converters, some good, some bad. It
seems were in a golden generation of image conversion there are so many choices that actually do
the job you want, with a few more handy tools added in. Lets take a look.

IrfanView
Supports: All major image formats, lots of obscure formats, and a handful of video and audio.
I didnt know about IrfanView until I joined the MakeUseOf team last September. What a fool Id been!
Aside from being packed with features for editing, modifying and merging images, IrfanView also
packs a pretty handy batch conversion tool, too.

You can see the range of output image containers in the below image. IrfanView doesnt provide
countless settings to toggle, but you do have access to an advanced dialogue box where you can
tweak the batch conversion settings outside of file names and output choice. Even the advanced
settings offer immediate, friendly access you certainly wont be overwhelmed.

IrfanView can be taken further, too. The default image-viewer is useful, but you can add myriad
plugins to enhance your experience, choosing from media, formats, effects, miscellaneous and the full
plugin collection.
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ImageMagick
Supports: Over 100 major image formats.
If youre used to using the command line to speed your tasks, or even if you are a Linux user,
ImageMagick will cause you no problems. Primarily an image viewing and editing suite, ImageMagick
has a pretty solid conversion tool inbuilt with some 200 input/output formats for you to utilise.
Its really simple, too, even for someone (like me) with little experience of using the command line to
control a program. Browse to the folder containing the photos you wish to convert. Shift+Right
Click, and select Open command window here. In the newly opened Command Window type:
mogrify -format png *.jpg

Where the first filetype is your output, and the second your input i.e. I had .jpg and will end up
with .png. Hit Enter and watch the magic unfold.

Note: this will convert all the files within the folder youve opened. If you want to select only a few files,
copy them into a new folder to save conversion time. Once youre confident converting using the
command line, you can expand you conversion operation with this expansive list of functions for
ImageMagick.

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Zamzar
Supports: Almost everything.
Zamzar is another massive cloud conversion tool. Its not my favourite but I cannot pinpoint my
distaste, so well put it aside for the good of the MakeUseOf readers. However, I would advise using a
10 Minute Mail account to collect your converted files. You can have as many 10MM accounts as you
like, all running concurrently, and it saves handing over your personal or work address for the
impending waves of spam.

Handy for image conversion on the go, plus it supports a ridiculously large amount of file types, only
limited by the 100MB file limit. However, it is painfully slow at times, and should only be used as a last
resort.

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XnConvert
Supports: Most major image formats.
XnConvert is a handy batch converter. It isnt flashy, and you certainly dont have the array of image
editing options that come with IrfanView, but it is still pretty handy. XnConvert also comes in mobile
flavors, so you can convert whilst youre on the move, if required.

It does support a pretty comprehensive range of formats, with more expect to arrive in future updates.

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http://www.neftojpg.com/
Supports: NEF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, BMP
Ive included this one as a personal handy tool. It might not be super useful for many, but I guarantee
that someone out there has shared my .nef file type frustration. .nef is the Nikon camera equivalent to
a .raw file. Im unsure as to why Nikon dont just use .raw, especially as that is the setting on the
camera, but nonetheless, this is what I ended up with. You can convert files from .nef
to .jpg, .png, .tiff, and a few other common formats.

The neftojpg tool does exactly that. It isnt flashy, but it works everytime. Perfect.

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Other File Types

Ascii Ascii Generator 2
Ive never really had cause to convert many images to Ascii, but every now and then it needs to be
done, if purely for the amusement of my peers. LOL! Ive used Ascii Generator 2 for a few years now.
ITs not been updated since 2009, but it does exactly what it needs to do converts an image into
Ascii.
So for your amusement, here is me in Ascii form, dressed as a pirate.

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Icons iConvert Icons

Again, Ive never really played around with custom icons, or at least not since I was a very young
computer user. Im generally happy with how things look, so long as they are small and I can move
them around.

But if you do like fiddling around with customised icons, iConvert Icons may well be a useful cloud
tool for you. I converted the image of myself as a pirate used in the above Ascii section into a rather
fancy icon, but you can use more serious pictures of your choosing.

Unknown File Extensions

Every now and then youll come across an unknown file extension that neither you nor your computer
know what to do with. Your first reaction, of course, will be to Google the file type and find out whats
going on.
But you could also head over to WolframAlpha and enter the file type there. It shows you what the file
type is, what it is associated with, where it might have come from and what programs will open it.
Handy!

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Any File Type

Konvertor FM
Supports: Too many to list.
A slightly late addition to the list, but an absolute bonus Konvertor FM is a comprehensive media
management tool, complete with inbuilt converters and it just became free! I must admit, the UI isnt
great. The throwback to Office 2007 isnt my cup of tea, but it is completely free, so really Im picking
needless hairs.

Anyway, onto the converter itself. Having all of your media in one place is pretty useful, I must say,
especially as the conversion is complete in house. Konverter will make a new folder for your converted
files to separate them from the old, whilst it really has spectacular range of output options for audio,
images, videos and much more. Like Handbrake, Konverter comes filled with presets, helping you
convert from one device to another, including Blackberry and Xbox.
Finally, Konverter also has inbuilt editing tools. You can tweak images and video as they convert,
altering your final product on the fly. Absolutely worth a look, even if you dont need a fully-fledged
media management tool.

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Format Factory
Supports: All major audio, video, and image formats.
Format Factory is another fantastic all in one converter. Youll find support for all major audio, video,
and image formats, plus burning facilities for CDs, DVDs, ISOs, and CSOs.

One of the best Format Factory features is the Video Joiner and the Audio Joiner. They arent super
advanced youre not going to mix your way to the top but you can join different audio or video
tracks together to create a bit of a mash-up. Each joining tool allows you to select a point within the
reference file to cut and collate from, so you can have some fun making terrible mix-tapes for your
friends.

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Round-up
Weve covered some serious free converter ground here, intrepid reader, and I hope somewhere in
this list youve found the converter of your dreams. At the very least, I hope youre now clutching the
file type you desired all along. There are more converters out there, lurking, but this list represents an
excellent proportion of software I would use, and I wouldnt steer you wrong ever.
Thank you for reading!
Whats your favorite free converter? Do you get riled by freemium converters? Are there any gems I
should have included? Please, let us know in this articles comment section!

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