What is a AVI file?
AVI — historical Windows video
Use the format AVI
A concrete example
Prepare an MP4 of a video recorded with older Windows software.
Useful checks
The same AVI can use different codecs. Check the aspect ratio and any audio offsets.
Choose a conversion
Keep the original and open the result in the software or on the device that will need to use it.
Your questions about this format
How to choose between MP4, WEBM, and MKV?
MP4 is suitable for many sharing purposes; WEBM is particularly intended for web playback. MKV may be better suited for content with multiple tracks. Look at the outputs offered for your file and test the result on the player you will actually use.
Can I extract only the audio from my video?
Yes, if MP3 is listed among the outputs of your source. Add the video, choose MP3, and start the conversion. The file must contain an audio track: a silent video cannot produce a sound recording.
Why am I being offered MKV for tracks and subtitles?
Not all outputs retain the same tracks. If the engine indicates that a MKV container is required, go back to the output selection and choose MKV instead of forcing a conversion that would remove elements. This output may fall under NoLimit.
How many videos can I convert for free?
The free offer allows one video per day, within the total quota of ten files and the limit of 100 MB per file. A batch of three files does not add three video rights: the video quota remains shared. A valid NoLimit access adjusts the limits according to the displayed offer.
What is it?
AVI is a video container created by Microsoft, long synonymous with "video file" on PC. Like MP4, it wraps a video track and an audio track together without compressing them itself.
Its design, however, dates back to an era when video had to fit on a CD-ROM: it knows nothing of modern needs — chapters, embedded subtitles, native variable bitrate, multiple audio tracks.
History & origin
Microsoft released AVI in 1992 with Video for Windows, the first serious attempt at playing video on a personal computer.
It reigned for fifteen years, particularly during the era of DivX and ripped DVDs, before giving way to MP4 in the 2000s.
Why it is useful
Excellent compatibility with older software and hardware: if an old device can only play one format, it's often this one.
Its simple structure makes it robust and easy to work with.
Limits & drawbacks
Files noticeably larger than MP4 for comparable quality.
Poor handling of subtitles and multi-track audio, no real web support, and weak support for variable bitrate that can sometimes cause audio-video sync issues.
Practical tips
Convert your AVI files to MP4: you'll cut the file size with no visible loss in quality, and the file will play everywhere, phones included.
Only keep the AVI if an old device explicitly requires it — that's the one case where it still serves a purpose.
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Convert a AVI