What happens when you convert MOV to AVI
| Inside a typical MOV | H.264 or HEVC (H.265) video with AAC audio |
|---|---|
| Copy without re-encoding | Rarely: the codecs are not compatible, so the video is re-encoded |
| When re-encoded | MPEG-4 Part 2 video with MP3 audio |
| Opens in | Windows Media Player and VLC; phones and browsers usually do not |
Sizes are typical values; your files will vary with content and settings.
MOV QuickTime Movie
MOV is Apple's QuickTime container and the format iPhones and many cameras record to. It often holds HEVC or ProRes video, which keeps quality high but files large.
MOV converterAVI Audio Video Interleave
AVI is Microsoft's 1992 video container. It is still found in old camera footage, DVD rips and legacy Windows software.
AVI converterHow to use the MOV to AVI Converter
- 1
Choose a MOV file or drop it onto the page.
- 2
Review the video options. The defaults suit most files.
- 3
Click Convert and download your AVI when processing finishes.
Why convert MOV to AVI?
MOV files come from iPhones, QuickTime screen recordings on a Mac, and many cameras. Windows players, Android and many websites handle MOV inconsistently. Choose AVI for older players, TVs with a USB port and legacy Windows software.
Frequently asked questions
Will the AVI lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so converting re-encodes the data once more. Using a high quality setting keeps the generational loss very small. Avoid converting the same file back and forth repeatedly.
Does converting MOV to AVI re-encode the video?
Rarely: the codecs are not compatible, so the video is re-encoded. A typical MOV contains H.264 or HEVC (H.265) video with AAC audio. Otherwise the result is MPEG-4 Part 2 with MP3 audio.
Questions about privacy, file-size limits or conversion speed are answered in the general FAQ.