Top 12 HD Video Converters for Windows & Mac – Movavi

OS: Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, Solaris, BSD

Best for: converting and playing videos

CNET rating: 4.6/5, 37 reviews

For an HD video converter for PC that also functions as a universal media player, consider using VLC, also known as VideoLAN Client. VLC is a free open source multimedia player designed for multiple platforms, including Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. It can play media files along with DVDs, VCDs, and CDs, and you can also use it for streaming videos. In addition to playing media, you can also use it as an HD to MP4 video converter or use it to convert media to many other supported formats.

VLC is one of the most well-established pieces of software out there, which means that it’s both reliable and safe to use. You never need to worry about downloading any ads, spyware, or user tracking along with the program, and it’s incredibly easy to install and use on any device. The main advantage of VLC is that it plays a majority of codecs without the need to download any additional codec package, as it’s compatible with MPEG-4, MPEG-2, H.264, WebM, MKV, and others. You can also customize the software with added skins or create skins using the VLC skin editor, which helps you create the look you want for your VLC player.

How to convert your videos using VLC

1. Download the app and launch it.

2. Open the Media menu and pick Convert / Save. In the new window, hit Add and select the file for conversion. Click Convert / Save.

3. In the Profile section, select the desired format for export.

4. Then click the Wrench icon, go to the Video codec tab and open the Resolution tab. Set the width and height you need. Hit Save.

5. Click Browse and indicate the folder where you want to save the video.

6. Hit Start.

Pros

If you want to use the player to convert HD videos to other formats, it’s a perfectly capable converter that can convert nearly any file format. Whether you want to use it as an MP4 to HD converter or work with other formats, it’s user-friendly and consistently dependable. After many years of updates, you can also count on this player to come with minimal issues compared to other free software that hasn’t been around as long. It’s also fast and can complete high-quality conversions quickly.

Cons

There are a couple of problems that may deter users from relying on VLC. For one, the somewhat outdated design isn’t the most appealing for many, and it’s not the most intuitive. Some users have also reported issues when using VLC to play DVDs. Also, many editing features are absent if you want more advanced software to adjust video quality or make other changes.