Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Prism is a shareware video file converter from NCH Software. It can convert files from and to most common formats, including AVI, MPG, VOB, WMV, and FLV, singly or in batches, and it also converts any file format based on a DirectShow codec into AVI and WMV files. Basically, if you can play it with Windows Media Player, you can convert it with Prism, according to the developer. It also fetches and converts files directly from DVDs and multimedia devices.
Prism's gridded main view and control icons have the familiar look of most such tools, largely dictated by function and efficiency. Icons labeled Add Folder, Add DVD, Remove, Remove All, Play, and Convert hardly need much in the way of an explanation, and we quickly added an MPG file from our library to the program's convert list. Beneath the main view, we could browse to and select an output folder and format for our converted videos. Clicking Encoder Options called up a small dialog labeled AVI Encoding Settings with settings for video and sound compression standards as well as digital audio frequency and sample rate in both mono and stereo formats. The Video Options dialog let us resize the video and change the frame rate, while the Effects suite let us adjust brightness, contrast, and gamma; apply filtering; and add text for a title or captions in a font color of our choosing. Once we'd made all our choices, we clicked Convert, and Prism quickly processed our file and saved the finished job in our chosen folder. When we clicked on our converted video, it opened and played normally, to our eyes a perfect copy of the original.
Of course, there are many free video converters out there, and they do a good job too, so why would you buy Prism? Pro users have certain expectations of pro-level tools, and Prism certainly seems to meet them. However, NCH is apparently well aware of the competition since conversion to AVI and WMV formats is still free after the shareware's 14-day trial expires. That makes Prism an attractive choice for the multitude of users who really only want to convert videos into a format they can view anyway. It also integrates with NCH's other tools via the Toolbox utility.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of Prism Video File Converter 1.61. The trial version is limited to 14 days.
Prism Video File Converter Plus - Convert video files to multiple formats - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From NCH Software:
Prism is a universal video file converter for Windows. It can convert video files from avi, mpg, vob, wmv, flv, 3gp and more into avi, 3gp, flv, mp4, mpg, asf or wmv files. Converts avi, mpg, vob, asf, wmv, mp4, ogm and all video formats that have a DirectShow based codec to AVI and Windows Media Video formats. Load multiple formats and convert to a single output format. If you can play the video file using 'Windows Media Player', you can convert it using Prism. Supports all of the popular multimedia devices. Preview original files and output results before converting. Add video files directly from DVDs. Set compression/encoder rates of output files. Set resolution and frame rate of output files. Set a specific size of output files. Conversion to AVI and WMV continues to be free after 14 days.
What's new in this version: Version 1.61 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
More Products to Consider
-
Play audio and video files in real-time and streaming modes. -
Play video files of multiple video formats. -
Play digital media of various formats with 3D and WiDi support. -
Play virtually any media file in open-source cross-platform mul... -
Play all the most popular video and audio formats. -
Play various types of video, audio, movie, music files in Media... -
Discover and play online videos, download, save, organize, and ... -
Convert, edit video and audio files for multimedia devices. -
Play 99.9 percent of files with a collection of codecs for Wind... -
Play, create, and stream high-quality video. -
Convert video and YouTube to AVI, WMV, MP4, FLV, MP3, burn vide... -
Convert your videos, audios, and pictures to preferable file fo... -
Add audio/video codecs and filters to playback any video file. -
Convert any formats video to iPad, iPhone, AVCHD, Blu-Ray, DVD. -
Enjoy movies and all your media on your PC, notebook, smartphon... -
Convert your videos to iPod, iPhone, 3GP, PSP, MP4, H264, AVI, ... -
Convert and edit your video files adding slide shows and titles... -
Record video on your screen or with a webcam. -
Back up your DVD movies to AVI, DivX, iPod, iPhone, iPad, Kindl... -
Merge and combine VOB and MPEG files. -
Find and download videos from YouTube, VideU, and MyVideo Web s... -
Play all multimedia files and find subtitles automatically. -
Play audio and video files on the go. -
Automate offloading for HD digital media.
-
All versions:
3.4 starsout of 137 votes
-
Current version:
3.4 starsout of 21 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Newer is not better!"
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
Free version is very limited in function. It does convert some types of files however.
Cons
Version 1.76 downloaded from Cnet comes with a toolbar which silently installed into I.E.That is crap! Easy to disable but hard to completely remove.It came with a exe. file which I had to remove on a reboot with unlocker.
Summary
Find the older 1.40 version or something else.
-
"great app.,really useful"
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
great app.,really useful,also all free
Cons
great app.,really useful
-
"very angry to this software."
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
1. free
2. free
3. freeCons
1. create interlace effect for my MTS video after converted into AVI file.
very stupid.
2. one in every two frame is lost and replaced by simply duplication of other frames.
this is super super stupid.Summary
I am doing scientific data analysis. This two problems I mentioned in Cons. never happen in all the video conversion software I have tested. It make me full day to figure out the problem. I thought it was because my original data was wrong but not. You waste me time.
-
"Exactly what I needed."
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
Lots of options. Easy interface.
Cons
Takes a long time to convert, but that's normal.
Summary
Worth your download.
-
"Excellent product, very simple to use."
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
Sensible easy on the eye and easy to understand layout,easy to use tools, a no nonsense quick and simple Video file converter.
Cons
None that come to mind
Summary
I would highly recommend this product to anybody wishing to convert one Video file type to another.A none threatening looking screen display with simple and easy to use tools puts you at ease whilst using this " very user friendly" product.
-
"Uses spam tactics to try to get you to buy"
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
None. Never used it.
Cons
The program randomly interrupts the computer to suddenly open itself up and start running. Then when you close the program a spam window pops up thanking you for trying it and inviting you to send 'em money for the full version.
Summary
I will NEVER EVER do business with any company using scam tactics like this. I downloaded the program as an add-on to an audio program I was trying from them. It sounded like a useful program and they claimed it was "COMPLETELY FREE" so why not?
Yeah.
In the middle of playing a game my computer flashed and minimized the game to open Prism Video. This is the third or fourth time it's opened itself up like that so I'm sure it's no accident.
There's a special level of hell for people who do things like that. I encourage them to go reside there. -
"Should be a choice for zero stars"
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
It worked nicely several times during the trial period
Cons
Cannot convert mp4 to MOV. I successfully converted several videos during the free trial period. I paid the purchase price. The software doesn't work as it did before. NCH has a "no refund" policy
Summary
This is a total rip-off. There is no free tech service. You can't get a refund. If you want tech service, you must pay a fee.
-
"great product"
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
very user friendly
Cons
a little slow
Summary
as free products go, excellant.
-
"Today I enjoy my movies without having to delete them"
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
One can convert almost any video.
Cons
I don't see one.
Summary
Anybody looking for a great product to enjoy videos should get prizm video converter. Is great.
-
"Does what is says."
Version: Prism Video File Converter 1.61
Pros
It works converting files to MP4.
Cons
Nothing so far.
Summary
There may be better free converters out there, but this one works well so I'll stick with it.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
