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How to use the MOV-to-AVI converter from Movavi

Edited by Sam P Dunn
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The MOV video format is popular among Mac users because it was originally designed by Apple as part of QuickTime technology. But it’s less useful for Windows PC owners as they need to install additional software in order to play MOV files.

Here are some problems you may encounter when using this format.

Can’t open your MOV files?

It’s possible that you simply have a Windows-based device. What you can do is convert the files to a format that is more widely supported by these devices, such as AVI.

A clip is shown with distortions?

The file may be too large for your device to handle. You can alter the format with a special app like a free MOV-to-AVI converter. If there’s no sound, try changing the audio codec.

No storage space for a film?

Apps like Movavi Video Converter can help you out – just save your file in the AVI format with a lower resolution. This way, you can free up more space on your device.

If you have a movie in the MOV format that you want to upload online and share with your friends or watch on your mobile device, it’s a good idea to learn how to convert MOV to AVI – one of the most popular video formats.

Movavi Video Converter is one of the easiest MOV-to-AVI converters for everyday use, and it also includes additional features for advanced users. Give it a try and enjoy a problem-free multimedia experience. Here’s a short video guide on file conversion.

If you prefer text guides, just follow the steps below to convert MOV to AVI for free in the app’s trial version.

Step 1. Install Movavi Video Converter for encoding MOV to AVI

Download the MOV-to-AVI converter free trial version, open it, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 2. Add MOV files to the program

Click the Add Media button in the top left corner of the program window. Then, select Add Video and open the MOV files you want to convert. And don't worry, you don't even need to have QuickTime installed – this MOV-to-AVI-converter supports MOV conversion out of the box.

Step 3. Make changes in the files you want to convert (optional)

The app enables you to edit your files before conversion. Click Edit on the right in the file information block to open the editing tool window.

Try out the stabilization feature in the respective tab to remove shakiness in your video footage. Use the Audio tab to reduce the noise in the background or adjust the volume level in quiet clips. Open the Adjustments to change the settings of brightness, saturation, contrast, etc. In the Effects tab, you can apply different filters from the built-in library. In the Watermark and Subtitles tabs, you can add a watermark of your choice and insert subtitles, respectively. You can also crop your footage edges, trim away elements you don’t want, and rotate your clip by accessing other available tabs.

Step 4. Compress the MOV files (optional)

There’s an option to quickly compress your files if they’re too large. Open the compression dialog box by clicking the size value in the file info section. Set the appropriate values for size, quality, and bitrate. Check how the end file will look by clicking Convert sample.

Step 5. Specify the output video preset

You will find AVI in the groups of different output presets at the lower portion of the program interface. Select Video > AVI and choose the desired preset to convert your MOV files to AVI files without adjusting the bitrate or resolution. Alternatively, select the AVI preset with the resolution and codec that best suit your needs. You can also use these presets to change the format of uncompressed DV AVI files from a digital camera so they can be saved as smaller AVI videos.

Note that, when you use the new SuperSpeed mode, you can change the video format without losing quality.

Step 6. Launch the process to convert MOV to AVI

Click Convert in the bottom right corner to transfer your files to the new format. In addition to converting MOV to AVI, you can use the Movavi conversion software to turn your files into any format among more than 180 other multimedia file types.

MOV vs. AVI: A comparison

When comparing MOV vs. AVI, the first thing to know is that these two formats are intended for use on different operating systems. Apple device users mainly store their videos as MOV files, and Windows users go for other formats that are more familiar to them, such as AVI. Here’s a short list of the main characteristics of MOV and AVI so you can see the differences between these two formats more clearly.

Comparison parameter

AVI

MOV

File extension

.avi

.mov and .qt

Developed by

Microsoft

Apple

Year of introduction

1992

1998

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is AVI compatible with Macs?

Yes, it’s usually possible to play AVI on a Mac using the QuickTime media player. However, there may be some compatibility issues as QuickTime doesn’t recognize AVI files with certain codecs. To fix this problem, you can resort to the Movavi conversion app for Mac.

Download Movavi Video Converter for Mac

How can I convert MOV to AVI on a Mac?

Just follow these simple steps.

  1. Install the distribution file of Movavi Video Converter for Mac and run the app.
    Download Movavi Video Converter for Mac

  2. Drag and drop your MOV files into the program window.

  3. Select the Video tab below and choose AVI as the output format.

  4. Click the Convert button and wait for the conversion process to end. That’s all there is to it!

You can also convert MOV to AVI online using any web media conversion service. Please note that some services have file size restrictions, so take that into account when choosing an online converter for large files.

Can I convert MOV to AVI for free with VLC?

Yes, you can use the VLC media player as MOV-to-AVI converter freeware. To convert MOV to AVI with that app, do as follows.

  1. Install and run VLC.
    Download VLC

  2. Click Media and then choose Convert / Save.

  3. Click Add and open the MOV file you want to convert.

  4. Select Convert / Save below.

  5. In the new dialog box, click the Wrench icon, select AVI in the Encapsulation tab and click Save.

  6. Click Browse and enter a name for the resulting AVI file. Make sure the name contains the .avi extension.

  7. Hit Start to start the conversion.

Which is better – MOV or AVI?

It depends on the platforms you’re using. MOV is more suitable for Mac- and iOS-based devices, while AVI is intended for use on Windows-based devices. Also, MOV supports certain codecs that AVI doesn’t, such as H.264. Even though AVI has been largely replaced by such later formats as MP4 and MOV, some still use AVI since it’s almost universally supported. If needed, you can always change MOV to AVI or vice versa with the help of a media conversion program.

What is the difference between AVI and MOV?

AVI is a rather old format that still enjoys popularity on the Web thanks to the fact it’s recognized by most players and devices. However, unlike MOV, it doesn’t support MP4 codecs, lacks certain features like B-Frames, and is generally less flexible. The MOV format, on the other hand, is more advanced and better suited for editing, especially for Mac users.

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