Convert AVI to MP4 File

AVI to MP4 conversion is the topic of this article. This page will help you learn why you should convert AVI to MP4 and how to do this!

AVI format is a multimedia container developed by Microsoft in 1992. AVI files hold both audio and video data. The AVI format is one of the best video formats: those files are compatible with many devices and have high quality. Thus, being proprietary, the native players for AVI are not free. The other disadvantage is that AVI files are very large and consume a lot of storage space.

MP4 format is, like AVI, also a multimedia container. Files of MP4 format can hold audio, video and various metadata, subtitles and still images. MP4 format is usually recommended to use in a wide range of situations from uploading videos on YouTube and Facebook to personal use as a video holder.

Why Convert AVI to MP4

MP4 format might not be superior to AVI in terms of quality, but this format retains a decent level of quality even while being compressed. AVI files are quite large because of their quality, so if you want to reduce the size of the file while enjoying almost the same quality of audio and video, you should consider converting AVI to MP4.

The other reason is the possibilities of editing that AVI files lack, MP4 support. Adding subtitles to a video can be very useful and important and while AVI files usually don’t have subtitle support and won’t show them, there is no trouble doing it with the help of MP4 files. If you want extended metadata support, you might want to convert AVI to MP4.

How to Convert AVI to MP4

There are two ways to convert AVI files to MP4 ones: using special software and converters that can be found online. Let’s discover how to do both.

1. Converting AVI to MP4 Using Software

This method of AVI to MP4 conversion is suitable for those who want to convert video files every day. There are no specific AVI to MP4 software converters. Most converters work with different types of video files and we will show solutions that include AVI to MP4 conversion for Windows and Mac.

Handbrake converter is supported by Windows, Linux and Mac. This converter is open-source, quick to download and converts files very fast. To use this software, you will need to download it and launch.

1. While Handbrake is launched, click “Source” and then “Open File”. This will import your AVI file into the program.
2. “Destination” area is where you should put the designated location of a future MP4 file. While it’s settled, choose “MP4” as “Container” and click the “Start” button. Shortly after you will find your new MP4 file in the folder it is supposed to be.

If Handbrake doesn’t work for you for some reasons, you can try VLC. VLC is also an open-source free converter that supports almost all platforms: not just Linux and Mac, but iOS, Android and many more. It also can serve as a video and audio player. To convert AVI to MP4 while using VLC you should:

1. Click “Media”, then “Convert/Save”.
2. Click “Add” to import your AVI file. Click on “Downward” icon and pick “Convert”.
3. Choose “MP4” on the “Profile” drop-down and then click “Start” button to trigger the conversion process.

Don’t want to bother downloading from the Internet and figuring out how the software works? Let’s proceed to the next part of the article when we’ll discuss how to convert AVI to MP4 without downloading anything.

2. Converting AVI to MP4 Using Online Converters

To convert AVI to MP4 online you can use free online converters like onlineconverter.com, zamzar.com, files-conversion.com and many others. They all share the same mechanism of conversion:

1. Upload your file to the converter website.
2. Pick the “MP4” format so your AVI file would convert into it and click “Start”.
3. Download your MP4 file.

Converting AVI to MP4 is very easy with online converters. Make sure that the new video is perfect for you before deleting the AVI file you used for conversion.