What happens when you convert MP4 to AVI
| Inside a typical MP4 | 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.
MP4 MPEG-4 Part 14
MP4 is the universal video container. With H.264 video and AAC audio it plays on every phone, browser, smart TV and social network, which makes it the safest choice for sharing.
MP4 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 MP4 to AVI Converter
- 1
Choose a MP4 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 MP4 to AVI?
MP4 is what phones, cameras, screen recorders and most video sites produce. Editing software sometimes prefers intra-frame formats like ProRes for heavy editing. 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 MP4 to AVI re-encode the video?
Rarely: the codecs are not compatible, so the video is re-encoded. A typical MP4 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.