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There are file converters for all kinds of different files, whether you're converting between different video, audio, or image formats. This might be the first time, however, that we've encountered a program that does all of the above. FormatFactory is an ambitious program that's capable of converting images, videos, and audio files between a number of different formats. Unfortunately, it's not exactly capable of delivering everything it promises.
FormatFactory has a straightforward, intuitive interface; a menu on the left lets users select video, audio, picture, or ROM Device\DVD\CD\ISO. The Advanced menu option even lets users join files together. To use FormatFactory, simply select the kind of file you want to work with, browse to your source folder, confirm the files you want to convert, and click Start. FormatFactory made pretty quick work of most of our files, but its performance wasn't flawless. At one point it inexplicably crashed as we were selecting the files we wanted to convert. When we attempted to convert an MPG to a GIF, something that FormatFactory allegedly permits, it went through the motions of processing but then revealed no actual change in the file. The program comes with a built-in Help file that's not particularly detailed but does contain screenshots to help new users navigate FormatFactory's features. If you need to convert, split, and merge files in a variety of formats, we definitely think FormatFactory is worth checking out. Just be aware that it doesn't always perform as expected.
FormatFactor installs a desktop icon without asking and leaves a folder behind upon removal.
FormatFactory - Convert popular video and audio - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Free Time:
Format Factory is a multifunctional media converter. Provides functions below: All to MP4/3GP/MPG/AVI/WMV/FLV/SWF. All to MP3/WMA/AMR/OGG/AAC/WAV. All to JPG/BMP/PNG/TIF/ICO/GIF/TGA. Rip DVD to video file , Rip Music CD to audio file. MP4 files support iPod/iPhone/PSP/BlackBerry format. Supports RMVB,Watermark, AV Mux. Format Factory's Feature: 1. support converting all popular video,audio,picture formats to others. 2. Repair damaged video and audio file. 3. Reducing Multimedia file size. 4. Support iphone,ipod multimedia file formats. 5. Picture converting supports Zoom,Rotate/Flip,tags. 6. DVD Ripper. 7. Supports 60 languages.
What's new in this version: In version 2.95: 1 update some codecs to latest vesion
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 269 votes
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Current version:
2.6 starsout of 28 votes
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My rating:
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"I Use To Trust This Program"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
It works now but I won't be uning it.
Cons
Installed unwanted software on my computer without asking or offering an opt-out. This is unforgivable.
Summary
Have updated copies of this for years. When the last update omitted a file the website instructed me to do a fresh install of version 2.96. The frest install changed my homepage, added toolbars and added items to my startup without notification or permission. I cannot trust a company that pulls this kind of stuff and won't use their products, free or otherwise.
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"Didn't work at all"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
Application didn't work at all.
Cons
I tried to convert MOV to MP4, MPG, WMV it converted only less than one second of video. The application crashed few times.
Summary
Would not prefer installing this again.
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"Gets some of the work done"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
Converts videos nicely, very easy to use, and doesn't allow for video-audio lag
Cons
Some files cannot be converted even though the format factory says the can; in this case the files are converted partially - an hour long video is converted to a 13 minute long video. Irritating, this
Summary
It will do most of the things you expect from a video converter. It's certainly beats shelling out the extra quid on those other converters out there
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"Creates garbled videos"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
Nice installer, nice interface
Cons
Converting MOV files. Tried to convert to WMV and AVI.
In both cases finishes conversion prematurely, output video is garbled.Summary
Waste of time
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"easy to use, effective"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
This was very simple to install and set up, and most importantly, it was free. It was relatively quick, and easy to track the progress it made with the conversions.
Cons
It seems like some of the conversions didn't function properly. I didn't try to redo them, so maybe it was a couple simple copying errors, or maybe the qualities didn't match up properly for the two different formats.
Summary
Quick and easy to use, but might have to check your files and rerun it on a few after failed conversions.
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"Installs Ask Toolbars and makes Ask.com homepage"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
Convert an MP3 to another format I wanted.
Cons
I didn't notice any warnings when installing that it would install Ask software on my computer. I usually notice those readily and uncheck them. After installing this program, when I opened Firefox it had replaced both my home pages with ask.com, as well as changed the default search engine to ask.com. When I opened Chrome, it did leave my home pages alone but installed an Ask toolbar. When I opened Internet Explorer it had replaced both my homes pages and installed the Ask toolbar.
Uninstalling FormatFactory does not appear to remove or revert any of this. I have multiple homes pages and use multiple browsers because I am logged into more than a single account for the same web applications, and have multiple browsers open all day across multiple monitors. What was just supposed to be a quick conversion of a single MP3 file has now turned into a pretty annoying headache. DO NOT INSTALL THIS PROGRAM.Summary
This program installs Ask software in all of your browsers and changes your browser settings. DO NOT INSTALL. There are better programs that do not do this.
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"It has the most common formats available for converting"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
I can convert and even customize the parameters of the output file
Cons
Some file formats are missing
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"great product"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
take 1 minute to convert 500mb avi video to 7mb flv youtube video.
Cons
none at all
Summary
get this, great free stuff.
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"Very Good, DVD ripping needs extra software."
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
Converts every useful format.
Completely free.
Utilizes all four cores of my processor.
Can shutdown the computer when done.
Perfect for YouTube video downloads.
Filter audio out from video files.Cons
Sometimes there is no audio if it is used to convert a DVD.
Can't convert audio only formats.Summary
This software is the best, period. It is free, converts every format, and is fast. It faster than NERO, and produces fewer errors than AnyVideo Converter (and doesn't disable features for the free version) There is no paid version so you know your getting everything forever. The only problem is that it sometimes forgets about the audio when ripping a DVD, so I use DVD Decrypter to rip the DVD then use FormatFactory to convert them to .mpg, .mp4, .m4v, .avi, .wmv, .aac, m4a, .mp3, .wma, etc. There are paid software available for ripping DVDs that support more protection systems, but the free one is good for me.
There is word about a browser hijack that is difficult to remove. That is bull ****. The browser toolbar is optional, just uncheck the boxes during installation and it isn't installed. If you miss that, just uninstall it from the control panel just like any other software and it is gone.
Updated on Aug 31, 2012 -
"Actually one of the software i use most"
Version: FormatFactory 2.96
Pros
Converts almost all formats and easy to use
Cons
DVD convertion is kid of bad and i would not recommend to use that function
Summary
A god free software with many options not perfect but it's free so you cant expect everything from it but it almost have everything anyway ;)
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