ConvertVid Review

Martin Brinkmann
Jan 10, 2010
Updated • Jun 5, 2016
Software, Windows software
|
6

Hundreds of video converters exist for the Windows operating system and commercial applications need to provide additional features that their free counterparts do not offer to justify paying money for them.

Update: ConvertVid is no longer a commercial application but available free of charge. The program ships with OpenCandy however so take that into account. End

ConvertVid is a basic video converter that can process single or multiple files easily. The program comes with the usual layout that uses controls at the top, a queue in the main part of the program interface and additional controls at the bottom.

Videos are loaded into the interface by clicking on the + icon in the header or by right-clicking the queue and selecting Add from the context menu (the program window states that drag and drop is working as well but we were not able to get it to work). It is possible to select multiple videos at once if they are located in the same directory.

Videos that are loaded by the program are displayed with their file name and playtime in the video queue but information such as the size of each file is missing there.

The available video formats are displayed at the bottom in a scrolling bar. The user has to scroll quite a bit to see all the video formats offered which is probably not the best way to present the options especially for new users of the program and because there is no search available.

Video formats can be added or removed in the program's options. This is the same option that is available during installation. Removed video formats are removed from the list which is recommended as it makes the list of available video formats more accessible.

Available for video conversion are generic formats like divx, xcid, avi or h.264 videos but also device specific formats including support for iPod, PSP, Apple TV or DVD format as well as audio formats to only extract the audio of the selected videos.

ConvertVid displays information about the selected output format right away including the target resolution, video codec that will be used for the conversion, or audio settings.

The advanced options are accessible from the same screen. They can be used to change quality settings, aspect ratios or frame rates giving you full control over the process.

Alternatives

There is definitely no shortage of video converter alternatives. From online converters like Movavi or Media Converter to software solutions like XMedia Recode Video Converter or, Super

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Supports batch processing including the option to save a batch to process it later
  • Supports basic conversion profiles and advanced settings

Cons:

  • The selection of video formats during setup is confusing.
  • Drag and drop not working although it is mentioned in the program interface
  • No video previews
  • No custom video profiles can be saved, e.g. for devices that are not included in the list of supported formats.

Closing Words

ConvertVid is an easy to use video conversion program for Windows that is free to download and use but feels a bit outdated when it comes to the supported formats.

While you find popular formats supported, others such as mkv or h.265 are not, and there is also no Android device supported only feature phones. This suggests that the program has not been updated for a while.

Again, that is not necessarily an issue depending on what you require the program for.

Summary
software image
no rating based on 0 votes
Software Name
ConvertVid
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Multimedia
Landing Page
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Comments

  1. kalmly said on January 11, 2010 at 4:17 pm
    Reply

    Testy, aren’t we?

    Of course I read before I click. Being forewarned, I know not to waste time downloading from GOTD or at least to be extra vigilant if I come across something I can’t live without trying.

  2. kalmly said on January 10, 2010 at 5:47 pm
    Reply

    Finding reviews of GOTD’s daily offerings here is kinda like being given the final score of a ballgame before I get to watch it. I’ll have to change the order of my daily internet routine.

    That said however, I’m pretty disenchanted with GOTD anyway. Using FF, it has become well-nigh impossible for me post or vote – and my little contributions were always so enlightening :) – As if that weren’t bad enough, last two downloads were corrupted. Didn’t matter which browser I used.

    As to PChammer’s post: Glad to have that information. “Choice?” If I don’t know it is happening, how is it a choice? NOW, it is a choice. Thanks.

    1. Martin said on January 10, 2010 at 5:54 pm
      Reply

      If I don’t know it is happening, how is it a choice? It is choice for those that care to read what they are installing on their computer. Users who simply do not care and install anything the developer’s throw at them are making a mistake, but it is not the problem of the developers nor of the guys posting about those applications.

      Talking about choice. You can read the review here if you like or you can skip it. It is not that hard, you should try it.

  3. PChammer said on January 10, 2010 at 11:57 am
    Reply

    Some time back, I had gotten some hidden inserts from GOTD detected by RKR as rootkits, I complained at GOTD and asked the developers of the softwares what it was and why it was so hidden, they said it had to be on GOTD’s end, not theirs because they had nothing like that and I proved it by downloading it direct from their site, no hidden items.
    I first noticed due to odd PC behavior like slowdowns, constant running Hard Drive and application errors. I proved it was from GOTD from uninstalling, removing these items and then scanning, then doing a reinstall from the software from GOTD, then scan again to find the items back. I would not use GOTD since.
    I decided to try the above, thinking things are different, well, I didn’t get so far as to install as I got a quick GOTD popup that quickly went away, then asked to install toolbar and homepage “boxes pre checked” a bit further down the line of the install so I cancelled.

    If this is tolerable to others for a shot at free software, so be it, it’s a choice, however, not one I’m willing to make. Would have like to try it but not from GOTD.

    1. Martin said on January 10, 2010 at 1:07 pm
      Reply

      These do not need to be installed. Its your choice.

      1. PChammer said on January 10, 2010 at 1:21 pm
        Reply

        True, which is why I stated if it’s tolerable to others, it’s their choice but not mine. If I didn’t have issues in the past with GOTD, I would likely not care either way about pre checks.
        And a correction , it’s a favorite added, not toolbar. Also to be fair, not just opinionated, I did a thorough scan on this install with numerous tools and found nothing intrusive which I’m glad to see. No malicious registry keys, rootkits, malware, etc… I’m still leary though and will check everything I get from them but they have great giveaways if it stays clean for sure.

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