How to Convert AVI MPEG-4 to MP4
You might have an AVI-encoded MPEG-4 file that you would like to convert to an MP4 file with a different encoder for a portable media device, such as a cell phone or an MP4 player. Because your computer does not come with the necessary software to perform this conversion, you will need to download a program from the Internet. Among your options are programs such as VLC Media Player (freeware), HandBrake (freeware), and QuickTime Pro ($29.99) from Apple. You may choose the dimensions and encoding options for your MP4 files. Note that you may lose some quality during this process, depending on your video's compression settings.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- VLC Media Player (see Resource 1)
- HandBrake (see Resource 2)
- QuickTime Pro (see Resource 3)
Instructions
-
VLC Media Player
-
1
Download and install the latest version of VLC Media Player, free of charge. Accept the terms of use and open VLC.
-
2
Click the "Settings" menu option and select "Preferences." Click the "Advanced Options" icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
-
-
3
Click "Stream Output," located on the left side of the menu, and click "Sout Stream." Click the "Transcode" button.
-
4
Set your video's height and width, depending on your needs. If you're converting for a cell phone or an MP4 player, consult your manual for supported resolutions. Click "Save."
-
5
Select "Open File" from the "File" menu. Click the "Browse" button to locate the AVI file that you want to convert.
-
6
Check the "Stream/Save" box and click "Settings." Choose "MP4" as your encapsulation format and select "mp4v" as your video codec. Select "mpga" as your audio codec and click "OK."
Click the "Play" button on VLC Media Player's main interface to begin converting your video.
HandBrake
-
7
Launch HandBrake after downloading and installing the program. Open your input AVI by clicking the "Source" icon at the top-left of your screen and locating the file in Windows Explorer.
-
8
Select "MP4 file" from the list of output settings. (If you're converting to MP4 for an iPod, click the "Presets" button on the right side of the screen and choose one of the iPod preset options.)
-
9
Click the "Browse" button next to the "Destination" field to select an output location for your converted MP4 file. Click "Start" to begin the conversion.
QuickTime Pro
-
10
Download and install QuickTime Player and the Pro component ($29.99). Agree to the licensing terms and open QuickTime.
-
11
Select "Open Files" from the "File" menu. Locate your AVI in the pop-up window and open it in QuickTime.
-
12
Click "File" and select "Export." Choose "Movie to MPEG-4" from the list of export options.
-
13
Name your output MP4 file and choose the location on your hard drive where you want to save it. Click "Save" to begin the conversion.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Allow several minutes for conversions to complete. (This will depend on the size and quality of your input AVI, as well as your MP4 output settings.)
