How to Change Video Codec Efficiently?

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first figure out what a video codec is.

Different from video container formats such as MP4, MKV, AVI, etc., video codecs are software that encode (compress) and decode (decompress) digital videos within video containers. Common video codecs include Xvid, DivX, MPEG-4, VP8, VP9, H264, H265, etc.

Video codec affects which devices and players can play the video. When a device is missing a specific codec, it cannot play videos encoded with that codec. Fortunately, you can solve this problem by using a codec changer to convert the video codec to a supported format.

Also, keep in mind that different codecs use distinct compression methods, hence producing different qualities and sizes. You can experiment with different codecs on a video to see the effects. And the best way to do it is to use a video codec changer.

Also read: Change Audio Codec of a Video | Change Video Container Only | Check Video Codec

WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is a powerful video codec changer on Windows that can easily change video encoding format to any format you like due to the support of almost all codecs and formats.

With it, you can choose H.264 to make your video easy to play across devices, or use HEVC to greatly reduce the file size without sacrificing quality. You can also convert videos to the specific format or device you want in one click. Also, with hardware acceleration enabled, it can speed up video conversion significantly. In addition, it also supports batch conversion to save more time and effort.

Below, I’ll show you how to change video codec in Windows 10 using this software. You can free download free download the codec changer software and install it on your PC to get ready.

Step 1: Import Source Video

Run WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro and select Converter. Next, click + Add Files to add video files to the converter.

Step 2: Choose Output Video Format

Click the format image on the right to unfold the output format list. Go to the Video tab and select your preferred video format.

Note that different video formats support different video codecs. For example, if you select MP4, you can use MPEG4, H264, H265, or AV1 as the video codec; if you select AVI, you can select Xvid, DivX, or H264.

Step 3: Change Codec of Video File

Open Parameter settings. From the Video Settings section, click the Encoder drop-down list and you should see the available video codecs for the format you just selected. Pick the desired video codec. Then click OK to save the changes.

Step 4: Convert Video Codec

Click the ▼ button at the bottom to choose an output path or leave it as default. Finally, hit Run to start the video codec conversion.

🌟 WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro can do more than just changing video codecs, it can also help you:

• Convert all mainstream music formats;
• Change video container without losing quality;
• Compress batches of video/audio files from GB to MB;
• Download SD/HD/4K/8K movies and music from 1000+ websites;
• Record meetings, gameplay, tutorials… in high definition;
• Merge, cut, crop, rotate, add special effects to videos.

Watch this video to see how to change codec of video on Windows:

To change the video codec on Mac, you’ll also need to find a codec changer.

Permute is a solution that helps you use video codecs to optimize your video for smaller size and better quality. It provides H.265 for that, and without requiring hardware configuration, it handles the process automatically and completes the conversion quickly. To facilitate conversions, Permute also lets you batch convert videos at the same time.

It’s easy to install and use Permute. Let’s follow the steps below to see how to change video codec on Mac with it.

Step 1: Download and install Permute at https://software.charliemonroe.net/permute/.

Step 2: Open the app, and then drag a video into its interface.

Step 3: Click the Video format drop-down option and select a format or device you want.

Step 4: Click the Start button to begin the conversion at once.

It's common to have codec problems on mobile phones, so knowing how to change codecs on your phone is helpful. You can use online services such as CloudConvert and FreeConvert to change the video codec without installing an app. This way, it won't take up local storage space, so no stress converting.

Next, let me show you how to change the codec of a video using CloudConvert, a free and registration-free online video converter.

Step 1: Visit https://cloudconvert.com/ in your browser.

Step 2: Click Select File and upload a video from your device. Note the maximum upload file size is 1GB.

Step 3: Click the Convert to box and select the target output format.

Step 4: Select the settings icon and adjust the video codec to your desired format. Then click Okay.

Step 5: Click Convert to start the conversion process.

Step 6: After conversion, click Download to save the converted file to your gallery.

💡 You can change the video codec on your phone camera before you record. Just open the camera settings on your phone, navigate to the video recording format, and then select the codec you want to use.

If you already have VLC installed on your computer, you can take advantage of this tool to change the codec of your video.

However, we do not recommend it for frequent use because VLC’s conversion features are limited and can easily lead to video errors. That said, it’s still a good choice if you’re a casual user looking for occasional conversion solutions.

Based on FFmpeg, VLC can help you change video codec of MKV, MP4, MOV, and various other files. Follow these instructions:

Step 1: Open VLC.

Step 2: Click Media > Convert/Save.

Step 3: Click Add to import the video you want to convert into VLC, and click Convert/Save at the bottom.

Step 4: Expand the Profile list and select a profile according to your needs. If it does not have the profile you need, you can create a new profile by clicking the last icon on the row. You can choose the video container and then specify the video and audio codecs as you see fit.

Step 5: Click the Browse button to set the destination folder.

Step 6: Click Start to convert the video with the wanted codec.

💡 You can use WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro for all the cases below, as it supports 500+ formats including H.264, HEVC, VP9, AV1, ProRes, and legacy codecs like XviD/DivX.

Case A: Sony XAVC to Apple ProRes

If you're editing high-end footage from a Sony camera (like an A7S III), you likely have XAVC S or XAVC HS footage. While high-quality, these codecs are inter-frame, meaning your computer has to work extremely hard to decode them during editing, leading to lag and crashes.

• The Fix: Change the encoder to Apple ProRes 422.
• Result: You get a smooth editing experience in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut.

Case B: XviD vs. DivX

Older hardware like car stereos and DVD players often support the AVI container but are picky about the codec.

• The Fix: If your AVI file isn't recognized, try switching between XviD and DivX.
• Result: XviD is generally the more compatible open-source standard for Home Theater branded devices.

The four codec changers make changing video codec easy, and you can change codec of any video in just a few clicks. If you want to know what video codec is best for your video, you can check out this article: the best codecs for video.

Anyway, I hope this article is useful to you. If you have any questions about changing video codecs, you can let me know on Twitter, I’ll be happy to help. That’s all for now. Thanks for reading.

1. Can I change the video codec?

Yes. You can change video codec with the help of a codec changer such as the four tools mentioned above.

2. How do I change the video codec on my computer?

You can use WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro on Windows or Permute on Mac to easily change the video codec. The tools support a variety of codec options to which you can convert, including H.264, H.265, MPEG-4, and more.

3. What codec is best for MP4?

MP4 can hold many different codecs. But in terms of purpose, you may find H.264 most suitable if you want to have the best compatibility. H.265 and AV1 are also great choices for compressing MP4 files while preserving high quality. Moreover, you can use old codecs like MPEG-4 to work on older devices.