Download a video converter for Windows

Set the expected format

The container groups tracks, while codecs define how audio and video data is encoded. Two MP4 files may therefore have different characteristics and not work on the same device. Start with the recipient's specifications or a preset that matches your usage. Then check the dimensions, frame rate and retained tracks. Changing the file name extension does not perform this transformation. A change of container can sometimes preserve existing streams, while a change in resolution generally requires reprocessing the image. These operations do not produce the same calculation needs nor the same risks of quality loss.

Reduce size with a representative test

The duration and bitrate influence the size of the file. The visible quality also depends on the codec and the complexity of the image. An almost still scene doesn't respond like a passage with lots of detail and movement. So test a clip that represents your video before applying the settings to a full series. Examine small text, outlines and dark areas. Reducing the dimensions may accommodate viewing in a small window, but limits the detail available elsewhere. Avoid successive conversions from already compressed copies and keep a higher quality source for future needs.

Review the trial and available processing options

Movavi Video Converter is a commercial product with a limited evaluation version. The product page specifies in particular the watermark and duration restrictions depending on the operation. So don't compare a trial result to a promise of unlimited free conversion. Fast modes and hardware acceleration also depend on compatible formats and hardware. Use your own files to verify behavior before choosing a license. The free software per use selection features other free tools by task; it does not mean that every converter function has a strictly identical replacement or that all files can be processed in any environment.

Check what the recipient will receive

After conversion, open the file in the player or on the intended device. Check the beginning, a middle passage, and the end to spot a gradual drift between image and sound. Also check the language of the audio track, subtitles and limits of the exported content. A smaller copy is only useful if it retains what the recipient needs. Give the results names that distinguish the versions and their uses. A conversion concerns the produced file; the assembly of takes, the narration and complex corrections on several tracks are editing work which requires other selection criteria.

Frequently asked questions