How to Convert VC-1 Encoded Videos to H.264?

Q: "I have several VC-1-encoded HD DVD rips (and a few BDrips) that won't play well on my HTPCs. I would like to know if there is a more efficient way of converting MKV files encoded with VC-1 to MKV files encoded with H.264 or HEVC. Any suggestions would be appreciated."

A: VC-1 is a video compression format developed by Microsoft. It was used extensively on the Xbox 360 and was also used for some Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, supporting both interlaced and progressive encoding.

However, it's not as common as it used to be, and many devices don't support it or process it well. This is where converting your VC-1 encoded videos to H.264 comes in handy. H.264 is a widely used video compression standard that's supported by just about every device, media player, and programs out there. Ready to get started? Then let's jump right in!

Videos encoded in the VC-1 format can be converted to the H.264 format using a video transcoding tool. However, as there are all sorts of different codecs and file formats out there, it can be a bit of a challenge for those green hands, who are trying to figure out how to convert one to another. Don't worry, we're here to help.

WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro, a feature-rich yet easy-to-use video/audio processor, is highly recommended to save you from that real pain with its rich built-in codecs and WYSIWYG interface. Download it and see how it works to convert your VC-1 videos to H.264 efficiently.

As a well-known media player, VLC can not only play VC-1 encoded videos directly, but also function as an eligible VC-1 to H.264 converter. If have VLC installed exactly at your hand, just follow the instructions to simply get the job done.

Step 1. Run VLC media player on your computer, click on "Media" menu on the top bar and choose "Convert / Save" option in the drop-down menu.

Step 2. On the pop-up "Open Media" window, press "+ Add" button under "File" tab to add one or multiple VC-1 video files, then press "Convert / Save" button to proceed.

Step 3. Select "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" option in the drop-down list of "Profile" section.

Step 4. Click on "Browse" button to choose a destination folder. If you've added multiple VC-1 videos in Step 2 for batch conversion, you're not allowed to change the destination. The output H.264 videos will be saved on the same location of your original VC-1 video files.

Step 5. Press "Start" button to initiate the conversion.

HandBrake is definitely the big brother in the video conversion industry. As a free and open source video transcoder, HandBrake has gained widespread popularity due to its powerful features and cross-platform support. Here's the walkthrough.

Step 1. Run HandBrake, you'll be guided to add a single VC-1 video or a folder with loads of VC-1 files for batch conversion.

Step 2. After the files are loaded, click on "Presets" menu on the top to expand the built-in presets and choose any option.

Step 3. Select "MP4" or "MKV" format under "Summary" tab. Then switch to "Video" tab to choose "H.264" option in "Video Encoder" section. Make sure you enable GPU acceleration for fast video encoding. You can also switch to other tabs to make your desired changes.

Step 4. Click "Browse" button to choose a destination folder.

Step 5. Press "Start Encode" button on the top to start encoding process.

There are a number of ways to convert VC-1 encoded videos to H.264. But with the 3 solutions mentioned in the article, you can make the process a lot easier. Some online video converters are also capable of converting VC-1 videos to H.264 online without any software installation, but I personally don't recommend this method, because you have to spend more time on file uploading, converting, and downloading, and will be disturbed by various pop-up ads and redirects, not to mention those file size restrictions.

When you've learned tricks of the trade, the 3 solutions can also be applied to other video formats and codecs conversion. If it works for you, just give it a thumbs-up and share it through your social media. Cheers!