QUICK SUMMARY: AVI to MP4 Conversion
If you want to use VLC to convert AVI files, it can handle basic conversions without additional software. It is a good option for occasional use and small files. However, if you seek batch processing, lossless quality, and maximum data privacy, the professional desktop software AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is the premier workflow choice.
This guide explains how to convert AVI files to MP4 in VLC Media Player step by step. It also covers troubleshooting techniques for fixing VLC when converting AVI files results in no video. We will also introduce a professional alternative that provides more reliable results for large files, rare AVI codecs, and video editing projects.
| VLC Media Player | VS | AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate |
| Slow | Conversion Speed | Up to 120× faster |
| Limited | Batch Processing Support | Fully supported |
| Yes, including audio-only output or degraded video | Quality Loss Rate | No quality loss with optimized encoding |
| Inconsistent | NLE Editing Software Compatibility | Fully compatible with Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and other NLEs |
| Intermediate | Learning Curve | Very Easy |
VLC Media Player remains a popular free and open-source media player available today. More than just a powerful media player, VLC can also serve as a local video converter software. However, it has slower conversion speeds and offers limited format customization.
1. When you enter the VLC home window, click the Media menu in the top-left corner. Select the Convert/Save option from the drop-down menu.
2. Click the +Add button to import the AVI video(s) you want to convert to MP4. After importing the video, click Convert/Save at the bottom.
3. When you get to the Convert window, select Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4) from the Profile list. Choose a destination folder and file name, then click Start to begin the conversion.
Important Note: If the AVI file is DRM-protected or uses an unsupported codec, the best option is to record AVI video playback. This creates a new video file that you can save in a modern format and play AVI on Mac.
VLC is a good free tool for simple AVI-to-MP4 conversions. However, it can be slow when working with large files. Also, some conversions fail to process, resulting in playback issues. If you need faster speeds, batch conversion, and more reliable results, AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate provides a much easier, smoother conversion process.
Change Output/Render Module
Sometimes VLC converts AVI correctly, but the video does not display. It happens because the selected output or render module is incompatible with the system. Changing the video output setting in VLC can help restore video playback.
Re-encode the File
Many devices cannot play AVI files because AVI is only a container and uses outdated or unsupported codecs. MP4 is more widely supported and commonly uses H.264 or H.265 codecs. When comparing AVI vs MP4, MP4 offers better compatibility, smaller file sizes, and smoother playback. Re-encoding the AVI file into MP4 often resolves video playback issues.
Enable Automatic AVI Repair
If the AVI file is damaged or incomplete, VLC may convert it without video. VLC includes an Automatic AVI Repair feature that attempts to fix index errors and file structure problems. Go to VLC Preferences and enable automatic repair to improve the chances of successful conversion.
If you fail to convert AVI to MP4 with VLC or it outputs audio without video, using a dedicated video converter is a reliable solution. AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is a professional converting tool that supports nearly all AVI codecs. This includes older and less common formats that often cause problems in VLC. It supports over 500 video and audio formats, including MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, MP3, and more.
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Furthermore, it can convert more than 50 AVI files into MP4 format at once. It also features GPU hardware acceleration, delivering up to 120× the speed of lossless AVI-to-MP4 conversion. Best of all, AnyMP4 exports videos using standard H.264/H.265 encoding, perfectly importable into Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. It avoids occasional audio/video out-of-sync or missing codec errors typical of VLC conversions.
1. Start by launching the AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate on your desktop. As it opens, it defaults to the Converter tab. Click the + Add Files button to load one or multiple AVI videos. Instead, select the Add Folder option to batch import your files.
2. After importing the videos, click the Output Format option and select the Video category. Choose MP4 as your output format and Same as Source as your quality profile. In the Output Format field, it should display the MP4 H.264/HEVC.
3. Enable Hardware Acceleration and the 120× Faster Conversion button to speed up the conversion. Hardware acceleration helps reduce processing time while maintaining high video quality. Then, click the Convert All button to batch convert AVI to MP4.
In our tests, we managed to convert 50 4K AVI videos totaling 2.29 GB to MP4. We enable the Hardware Acceleration and 120× Faster Conversion buttons to speed up conversion. And guess what? It took only 1 minute and 12 seconds to complete, and it retained 100% of the original bitrate. Beyond format conversion, it can compress large AVI files and edit them using tools for trimming, cropping, rotating, adding watermarks, and more.
Why does VLC convert AVI to MP4 with no video (only audio)?
It happens when VLC cannot properly decode the video codec inside the AVI file. It can also occur because of incorrect conversion settings, damaged AVI files, or codec compatibility issues. In this case, you need to re-encode the file using AnyMP4 to solve the problem.
What are the differences between AVI and MP4?
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is a multimedia container format created by Microsoft. One big difference between AVI and MP4 is the compatibility. AVI is for Windows-based devices. You may not be able to play AVI files on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. MP4 is the most popular video format. It highly supports almost all devices and media players. Check this post to know more about AVI VS MP4.
Can I batch convert multiple AVI files to MP4 using VLC Media Player?
Yes, VLC can convert multiple AVI files. However, it does not provide a dedicated batch conversion interface. It means you need to manually add each file, making large conversion jobs harder to manage.
Is it safe to convert AVI to MP4 using online tools?
Yes, online converters are safe for non-sensitive videos and small files. However, uploading videos to a third-party server may raise privacy concerns, especially for confidential content. Also, most online converters have file size limits and slower processing speeds.
Does VLC Media Player play AVI video?
VLC Media Player is compatible with almost all popular video and audio formats, including AVI. You can use VLC to play an AVI file. Besides, VLC enables you to play MP4, OGG, WAV, MPEG-2, QuickTime File Format, 3GP, ASF, FLV, MKV, AIFF, MXF, VOB, RM, Blu-ray, DVD-Video, VCD, SVCD, CD Audio, MP3, AAC, AC3, ALAC, AMR, FLAC, WMA, and many more.
How to convert AVI to DVD?
If you have some AVI files and want to burn them to a DVD, you should find a powerful DVD creator and a blank DVD. Check this post for more detailed information on burning AVI files to DVD.
VLC converts AVI to MP4 for free. It works well for occasional use, but you may encounter slow conversion speeds, missing video after conversion, limited batch processing options, and codec compatibility issues. If you need faster performance, lossless quality, batch conversion, and reliable output files for playback or video editing, AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is a better choice. It provides a simple one-click workflow, hardware-accelerated conversion, and exports MP4 files that work smoothly across devices and editing software.
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Updated by Alice Thorne to Convert VideoMore readings
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