How to Convert MP4/MPEG-4 to AVI on Desktop/Online

MP4 and AVI are both video container formats, but they are often used in different situations. MP4 is widely used on modern phones, websites, and media players, while AVI may still be required by some older TVs, DVD players, car media systems, editing programs, or legacy devices. If your device only accepts AVI, you can convert MP4 to AVI with a desktop program or an online tool.

Also, note that MP4 is not the same as MPEG-4. MP4 usually refers to a .mp4 container, while MPEG-4 is a video compression standard or codec family. MPEG-4 encoded videos may be stored in MP4, MOV, M4V, MTS, M2TS, and other containers. The desktop methods below can also help you convert MPEG-4 videos to AVI.

• Use WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory

As a free MP4 to AVI converter for Windows, WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory lets you convert MP4 videos to AVI and many other common formats without watermarks. It also accepts many MPEG-4 encoded files, so the same steps can work when your source video is a .mov, .m4v, .mts, .m2ts, or another container using an MPEG-4-family codec.

This method is better than online tools when your video is large, private, or slow to upload. You can also adjust resolution, bitrate, frame rate, aspect ratio, and volume before conversion. If your old device is picky about AVI playback, try using a more compatible video codec such as Xvid or DivX and a common audio codec such as MP3 when available. You can download download this free converter and start your conversion with ease.

------ Try HD Video Converter Factory Pro for Batch MP4/MPEG-4 to AVI Conversion

Free HD Video Converter Factory has an upgraded version called WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro. It is a better choice if you want to convert multiple MP4 or MPEG-4 files to AVI simultaneously, convert large files faster, or keep more control over output quality. It supports hardware acceleration, batch conversion, and 500+ output presets.

Video conversion usually involves re-encoding, so “no quality loss” is not always guaranteed. But with suitable settings, such as keeping the original resolution and frame rate and choosing a proper bitrate, you can reduce visible quality loss while making the AVI file more compatible with your target device. The workflow is the same as using the free version, except that you can import a folder or multiple videos for batch conversion and enable acceleration when available.

In addition to converting MP4 and MPEG-4 videos to AVI, the Pro version also includes a video downloader, screen recorder, simple editor, GIF maker, and toolbox for everyday multimedia tasks.

• Use HandBrake 0.9.3 (Legacy)

HandBrake can also be used to convert MP4 to AVI, but only with its old legacy builds. HandBrake 0.9.3 is the last version that supports AVI output. Later and current HandBrake versions no longer export AVI, so do not install the latest HandBrake if your only purpose is to create an AVI file.

Compared with the first software, HandBrake has a little learning curve. Also, since version 0.9.3 is outdated and no longer supported, it is better suited for users who already have the legacy installer and only need to process non-sensitive files. If you want a maintained converter, use the WonderFox method above.

Here is how to change MP4 to AVI with HandBrake 0.9.3:

Step 1: Launch HandBrake 0.9.3.

Step 2: Click “Source” in the upper left corner. Choose the MP4 file you want to convert and add it to the software.

Step 3: Click the “Browse” button under “Destination” to set an output path for the converted file.

Step 4: Choose AVI as the target format in the “Output Settings” section.

Step 5: Press the green Start button to begin converting MP4 to AVI format.

For multiple MP4 video conversions, use WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro instead. Later HandBrake versions added more queue/batch features, but they no longer provide AVI output.

• Use CloudConvert.com

Many online converters can turn MP4 into AVI without installing software. This is convenient when you only have one small, non-private file to convert. Here, I will take CloudConvert.com as an example to show the general workflow.

CloudConvert lets you upload a file from your computer, cloud storage, or a URL, and it also provides optional settings such as codec, resolution, and trimming. File size, daily conversion time, and advanced options may vary depending on the current free plan and your account status, so check the website before uploading a large video.

Step 1: Visit https://cloudconvert.com/mp4-to-avi.

Step 2: Click “Select File” to add your MP4 file.

Step 3: Make sure the output format is AVI. Open the settings panel if you need to adjust codec, resolution, or other parameters.

Step 4: Press “Convert” to start uploading and converting the video. Then download the converted file when it is finished.

Note: Online video conversion may take a long time, especially for large files or slow networks. Do not upload private, sensitive, or copyrighted videos to a third-party website unless you trust the service and understand its terms.

• Other Online MP4 to AVI Converters

If CloudConvert is not available or does not meet your needs, you can also try other browser-based converters, such as Super-Converter, 123APPS Video Converter, Converter App, or Video-Converter-Online.

These web tools may offer different limits, upload methods, and settings. Some claim no watermark, no sign-up, or no conversion-time limit, but the actual experience can still be affected by browser limits, server load, upload speed, and file size. For a short clip, online conversion is quick enough. For a long movie, batch task, or confidential file, desktop software is usually more reliable.

1. Can I convert MP4 to AVI without losing quality?

Not always. MP4 to AVI conversion usually re-encodes the video, and re-encoding can cause some quality loss. To keep the result close to the original, keep the source resolution and frame rate, choose a suitable bitrate, and avoid converting the same file repeatedly.

2. Is MP4 the same as MPEG-4?

No. MP4 is a container format with the .mp4 extension. MPEG-4 is a compression standard or codec family. An MPEG-4 encoded video can be stored in MP4 or other containers, so the source file extension may not always be .mp4.

3. Is there a free tool to convert MP4 to AVI?

Yes. WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory can convert MP4 to AVI on Windows for free. Online converters can also do this for small files. HandBrake 0.9.3 legacy can also export AVI, but it is outdated and no longer supported. Current HandBrake versions do not export AVI.

4. Can I convert multiple MP4 files to AVI at once?

Yes. WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro provides batch conversion, so you can add multiple MP4 or MPEG-4 files, choose AVI once, and convert them together.

5. Why won’t my converted AVI play on my old device?

AVI is only a container. Your device also needs to support the video and audio codecs inside the AVI file. If playback fails, try a more compatible codec combination, lower the resolution or bitrate, or check your device manual for the supported AVI specifications.

6. How can I convert MP4 to AVI online?

You can use an online converter like CloudConvert. Upload the MP4 file, select AVI as the output format, adjust optional settings if needed, start the conversion, and download the converted file. For privacy and speed, desktop software is better for large or sensitive videos.

Converting MP4 or MPEG-4 video to AVI is not difficult, but the best method depends on your file and purpose. For a large video, a batch task, or a private file, WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory or its Pro version is the more stable choice on Windows. For a small non-sensitive clip, CloudConvert and similar online tools are convenient. HandBrake 0.9.3 can still be used for AVI output if you already have the legacy version, but current HandBrake releases are not suitable for AVI conversion.