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As technology continues to evolve, videos have become an integral part of our lives. They are used for personal and corporate purposes, including entertainment and marketing. Videos come in various formats, and sometimes, you may want to convert them from one format to another for compatibility purposes or to reduce the file size for storage. That’s where video transcoders come in handy. Video transcoders allow you to convert videos from one format to another without losing quality. But with numerous video transcoding software in the market, choosing the best one can be daunting. In this post, we’ll ease the decision-making process by recommending the top 7 video transcoders for Windows.
Video Tutorial:
What is a Video Transcoder?
A video transcoder is a software application that allows you to convert videos from one format to another without losing quality. It involves decoding the original video file format and re-encoding it into a new format. During this process, the video bitrate, resolution, and frame rate can also be adjusted to meet specific requirements. Video transcoders come in handy when you want to play or share a video that your device doesn’t support or if you want to reduce the file size to save storage space.
Top 7 Video Transcoder Recommendations for Windows
1. Handbrake
Handbrake is an open-source video transcoder that is free to download and use. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Handbrake enables you to convert videos from any format to MP4 or MKV format, which can be played on a wide range of devices. It uses a variety of video codecs such as H.264, H.265, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and VP8 to ensure high-quality output. One of the notable features of Handbrake is its powerful batch transcoding capability, which allows you to convert multiple videos at once. Handbrake also has preset profiles that you can use to easily convert videos for specific devices, including Apple iPhones and Android smartphones.
Pros:
- Free and open-source
- Powerful batch transcoding
- Preset profiles for specific devices
- High-quality output
Cons:
- User interface may be overwhelming for beginners
- Does not support all video formats
2. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a popular open-source media player that can also convert videos. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Apart from playing videos, VLC Media Player is also capable of transcoding videos from any format to MP4 or MKV format. It uses various video codecs such as H.264, H.265, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and VP8 to achieve high-quality output. VLC Media Player also comes with preset profiles that allow you to convert videos for specific devices, including Apple iPhones and Android smartphones.
Pros:
- Free and open-source
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Preset profiles for specific devices
- High-quality output
Cons:
- May not support all video formats
- Batch transcoding capability is limited
3. Freemake Video Converter
Freemake Video Converter is a free video transcoder that supports Windows operating system. It enables you to convert videos from any format to MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, or MPEG format. Freemake uses various video codecs such as H.264, MPEG-4, and VP9 to ensure high-quality output. One of the notable features of Freemake Video Converter is its ability to extract audio from videos and save them in MP3 or other formats. Freemake also supports DVD burning, allowing you to burn your converted videos directly to a disc.
Pros:
- Free to download and use
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Ability to extract audio files from videos
Cons:
- May contain adware
- Batch transcoding is limited to the first five videos in the queue
4. Any Video Converter
Any Video Converter is a video transcoder that allows you to convert videos from any format to MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, or MPEG format. It runs on Windows operating systems. Any Video Converter uses various video codecs such as H.264, MPEG-4, and VP9 to ensure high-quality output. It also has preset profiles that enable you to convert videos for specific devices, including Apple iPhones and Android smartphones. Any Video Converter also supports YouTube video downloading, which allows you to download videos from YouTube and save them in various formats.
Pros:
- Free to download and use
- Ability to download and convert YouTube videos
- Preset profiles for specific devices
Cons:
- May contain adware
- Batch transcoding capability is limited
5. Format Factory
Format Factory is a multifunctional media converter that supports Windows operating system. It allows you to convert videos, audio files, and images from one format to another. Format Factory supports numerous video codecs such as H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and VP9 to ensure high-quality output. It also has preset profiles that enable you to convert videos for specific devices, including Apple iPhones and Android smartphones. One of the notable features of Format Factory is its ability to repair damaged video and audio files.
Pros:
- Free to download and use
- Ability to repair damaged video and audio files
- Preset profiles for specific devices
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- May contain adware
- Batch transcoding capability is limited
6. Movavi Video Converter
Movavi Video Converter is a paid video transcoder that supports Windows operating system. It allows you to convert videos from any format to MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, or MPEG format. Movavi Video Converter uses various video codecs such as H.264, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 to ensure high-quality output. It also has preset profiles that allow you to convert videos for specific devices, including Apple iPhones and Android smartphones. One of the notable features of Movavi Video Converter is its ability to trim, merge, and crop videos before converting them.
Pros:
- High-quality output
- Preset profiles for specific devices
- Ability to trim, merge, and crop videos
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Paid software
- Does not support all video formats
7. Wondershare UniConverter
Wondershare UniConverter, formerly known as Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate, is a paid video transcoder that supports Windows operating system. It is an all-in-one media converter that allows you to convert videos, audio files, and images from one format to another. Wondershare UniConverter uses various video codecs such as H.264, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 to ensure high-quality output. It also has preset profiles that allow you to convert videos for specific devices, including Apple iPhones and Android smartphones. One of the notable features of Wondershare UniConverter is its ability to burn DVD videos.
Pros:
- High-quality output
- Preset profiles for specific devices
- Ability to burn DVD videos
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Paid software
- May contain adware
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value For Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handbrake | N/A | Free | Intermediate | 4/5 |
| VLC Media Player | N/A | Free | Beginner | 4/5 |
| Freemake Video Converter | N/A | Free | Beginner | 3/5 |
| Any Video Converter | N/A | Free | Intermediate | 3/5 |
| Format Factory | N/A | Free | Beginner | 3/5 |
| Movavi Video Converter | 7-day | $39.95 | Beginner | 4/5 |
| Wondershare UniConverter | 30-day | $69.95 | Beginner | 4/5 |
Our Thoughts on Video Transcoders for Windows
Choosing the best video transcoder for Windows can be challenging, but it all depends on your specific needs and budget. Handbrake and VLC Media Player are excellent choices for those looking for a free and open-source video transcoder. They both offer powerful batch transcoding features and preset profiles for specific devices. Freemake Video Converter and Any Video Converter are also good free options, but they may contain adware. Format Factory is a great choice for those looking for a multifunctional media converter that can repair damaged video and audio files.
If you’re willing to spend some money, Movavi Video Converter and Wondershare UniConverter are excellent paid options. They both offer high-quality output and user-friendly interfaces. Movavi Video Converter stands out for its ability to trim, merge, and crop videos before converting them, while Wondershare UniConverter can burn DVD videos.
FAQs about Video Transcoders
Q1: What video formats do video transcoders support?
A1: Video transcoders support a wide range of video formats, including MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MKV, and MPEG.
Q2: Can video transcoders adjust video resolution?
A2: Yes, video transcoders can adjust video resolution. You can increase or decrease the video resolution to match a specific requirement or to save storage space.
Q3: Can video transcoders adjust video bitrate?
A3: Yes, video transcoders can adjust video bitrate. You can increase or decrease the video bitrate to control the quality of the output video.
Q4: Can video transcoders extract audio from videos?
A4: Yes, some video transcoders can extract audio from videos and save them in various formats such as MP3.
Q5: Can video transcoders burn videos to DVD?
A5: Yes, some video transcoders such as Wondershare UniConverter and Movavi Video Converter can burn videos to DVD.
In Conclusion
Video transcoders are essential tools for anyone who wants to convert videos from one format to another. The top 7 video transcoders for Windows we’ve recommended in this post are all capable of delivering high-quality output. Handbrake and VLC Media Player are excellent free options, while Movavi Video Converter and Wondershare UniConverter offer excellent paid options. Consider your specific needs and budget when choosing the best video transcoder for your needs.