There are so many video resources in so many formats by now, and you need to
convert them to some certain format so as to play them on some certain device.
That makes you need to choose a video converter first. Since most video
converters are similar at the first look and those applications usually have a
lot functions and features in common, it is difficult to make a decision. In
fact, there is never the best choice but there is always a most suitable one for
your needs.
Here we list 5 essential features of video converter software according to most
users? needs and you might want to have a look when you are searching for a
video converter.
1) Support almost all input and popular output video formats
The first thing you need to find out is whether the video converter supports the
input formats that you are converting from and the output formats that you are
converting to. The supported input formats should contain almost all video
formats while the supported output formats should include most of popular video
formats. For example, Sothink Video Converter
(http://www.sothinkmedia.com/video-converter/) supports AVI (DivX, XivD), MP4,
MKV, MOV, WMV, TS, FLV, SWF, ASF, MPG, 3GP, 3G2, VOB, and DV. That will probably
be enough.
Most video converters also support audio, and usually the formats should be MP3,
WMA, M4A, AAC, AC3, OGG, MKA, FLAC, WAV, AIF, and AU.
As the high definition video came, the video converter had better support H.264
HD video conversion, too. What?s more, some multifunctional video converter
products even supports DVD format, which means it is both a video converter and
DVD ripper software. The best DVD Ripper
(http://www.sothinkmedia.com/dvd-ripper/) definately supports lots of formats
and ripping DVD with best quality.
2) Support popular multimedia devices
To successfully and perfectly play videos on some multimedia devices, especially
HD devices, you need to convert video to correct format and appropriate
dimension, zoom mode, aspect ratio, bit rate, frame rate, and so on. It will not
be necessary to know those professional details if you choose some video
converter that automatically set all related properties for the best and
directly convert video to your desired target device. Just check out whether the
video converter software supports iPad, iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, iPhone 4,
Apple TV, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360, Zune, Wii, Blackberry, Nokia, Sony Ericsson,
Google Android, Nexus One, Samsung, Motorola, etc.
3) Support trimming video to clip
Since you convert files from some source video or audio, you can definitely trim
the files to the part you really need. Many video converters support trimming
video to the desired clip and some of them even support cropping. Whether it is
easy to trim is also important. Directly setting the start time and end time of
the trimmed clip will be great.
4) Support batch conversion and convert fast
Those are time-saving features that will come in handy when you have many video
files, especially big files, to convert. It is easy to find out whether the
video converter supports batch conversion. However, what about converting speed?
Check that whether the converter supports multi-CPUs and multiple threads. If it
does, it probably converts fast. And Sothink Video Converter even supports
automatically shut down, sleep and hibernate when video conversion task is
finished. It is another great feature about time-saving.
5) Easy to use
Some of the video converters are of wizard interface while others offer
Microsoft Office style. Whatever the software is, it should be easy to use and
user-friendly. That is to say, the video converter you choose should make you
only need to click rather than to type. Not to mention thinking or doubt. All
converting configuration had better be automatically set and you never need to
know the details.
What?s more
There are also many other features that you could consider when you are looking
for in a video converter, for example, able to preview, support image output,
directly convert video to YouTube format and standard (Free YouTube Converter
(http://www.sothinkmedia.com/flv-converter/)), etc.
We have tried many different video converters in the market and we found one
that performs exceptionally well and it has all the features above. It's
called Sothink Video Converter. It is completely free and has no function
limits.
