How to use the MP4 to AVI converter
- Choose your MP4 video or drop it on the box.
- Check the settings. "Same as original" resolution is fastest. Lower it to 720p for a smaller file.
- Click "Convert to AVI". A progress meter shows how far along it is.
- Download your AVI.
Why convert MP4 to AVI?
Some older DVD players with USB ports, car head units and legacy Windows software only accept AVI. Converting MP4 to AVI makes a video play there.
- MP4: usually lossy, so quality drops a little each time it is re-encoded.
- AVI: very widely supported on Windows.
- AVI: simple and well-understood format.
The AVI uses XviD-compatible MPEG-4 video and MP3 sound, which older hardware players understand.
MP4 vs AVI
| MP4 | AVI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Part 14 | Audio Video Interleave |
| Type | Video | Video |
| Created by | Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) (2001) | Microsoft (1992) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Typical codecs | H.264 + AAC | MPEG-4 Part 2 (DivX/XviD) + MP3 |
| Best for | Sharing videos online, phone recordings, social media uploads and streaming | Older camera clips, legacy video archives and Windows software |
| Plays on | Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, smart TVs, game consoles and every modern browser | Windows Media Player, VLC and most desktop players; phones and browsers often refuse AVI |
Does converting MP4 to AVI lose quality?
MP4 (H.264) has to be re-encoded to AVI (MPEG-4 Part 2 (DivX/XviD)). At "Balanced" quality the difference is very hard to see; choose "High" for footage you will edit again.
How long does it take?
Re-encoding video uses your device's processor. A short clip takes seconds; a 10-minute 1080p video can take several minutes. Choosing 720p makes it 2–3 times faster.
What is an MP4 file?
MP4 is a container that usually holds H.264 or H.265 video with AAC sound. It is built on Apple's QuickTime file structure and became an ISO standard in 2001. Because almost every phone, browser, TV and editing app can play it, MP4 is the safest choice when you need a video to just work.
What is an AVI file?
AVI is one of the oldest video containers, introduced by Microsoft with Windows 3.1 in 1992. Older digital cameras, DVD rips and many 2000s downloads are AVI files, usually with DivX or XviD video and MP3 sound.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MP4 to AVI converter free?
Yes, completely free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Files up to 1 GB each can be converted, and there is no daily limit.
Do you keep a copy of my files?
We never receive them. All processing happens on your device, so there is nothing for us to store or delete.
Will the AVI sound and look as good as the MP4?
MP4 (H.264) has to be re-encoded to AVI (MPEG-4 Part 2 (DivX/XviD)). At "Balanced" quality the difference is very hard to see; choose "High" for footage you will edit again.
Can I convert AVI back to MP4?
Yes, use the AVI to MP4 converter.
An MP4 plays without sound. What should I do?
The audio may use a codec your player does not support (for example AC3). Convert it to MP4 again so the sound becomes AAC.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Safari, Chrome and other modern mobile browsers. Short files work best on phones; for long or high-resolution videos a computer is faster.