AVI and MOV are multimedia container formats. To convert AVI to MOV, use a media converter program like Oxelon Media Converter or Avidemux. For Mac users, VLC and DivX Doctor 2 can also be used. Various codecs and settings can be adjusted for the conversion process. Other converters are available, some with trial periods and restrictions.
Audio Video Interleave (AVI) is a Microsoft® multimedia container format for video files with audio. Apple® QuickTime® Movie (MOV) is also a multimedia container format. To convert AVI to MOV, you need to open the container and transcode the individual data streams. Since a MOV file can support multiple types of audio and video streams, you can make choices in the conversion process.
There are various media converter programs available online, many of which are free. For example, Windows® users might try Oxelon Media Converter, which can be downloaded with a variety of plug-ins. Install the program, followed by the plugin file, then launch the program.
To convert AVI to MOV, click the Media Format field and choose MOV from the drop-down menu. This will be the output container format. For the video codec, choose from Quicktime MPEG4, Quicktime H264, Quicktime H264, Quicktime SVQ1 Sorenson Video or Quicktime XviD. Multiple audio codecs are also available, including AAC, MP3, PCM, and more. Tweak other settings like movie width and height, bitrate and sample rate, etc. As desired. Choose a location to save the new file, add the file to the main window and click the Convert button.
For Mac® users, if you just want to play AVI files, try using the free open source media player VLC© for OS X, also known as VideoLAN Client©. Downloading and installing the 3ivx® D4 CODEC will add support for files with the AVI extension. If you still want to convert AVI to MOV, you could try a program like DivX Doctor 2© (after installing the above codec). Just drag and drop files into the DixX Doctor 2© interface to convert AVI to MOV. Installing another CODEC, DivX for Mac®, will also help QuickTime® play many AVI files.
Linux®, Mac® and Windows® users can also use the free open source media converter Avidemux© to convert AVI files to MOV. For Video format, choose one of the QuickTime® codecs mentioned above, such as MPEG-4 or H263; choose the desired audio stream and configure the options; then for the output format, select MP4. Open the desired AVI file, then Save As, giving the file the desired extension; MP4 or MOV. When saving the file, Avidemux® will convert the AVI as indicated.
There are also countless other converters available, many shareware with trial periods. Some shareware programs run in restricted mode unless purchased and may leave a watermark on converted files.
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