How to Convert MP4 to AVI Online

**AVI** (Audio Video Interleave) is a classic video format that has been around since 1992. Despite its age, AVI remains **widely used**, especially for legacy systems and specific professional applications. Converting MP4 to AVI with SqueezeVid is simple, fast, and requires no software installation.

What is AVI Format?

AVI is a multimedia container format developed by Microsoft. It can contain both audio and video data in a file container that allows synchronous audio-with-video playback. AVI files are known for their compatibility with Windows systems and many video editing applications.

When to Use AVI Format

• Legacy system compatibility: Works on older computers and media players
• Video editing: Many professional editing tools prefer AVI for its simplicity
• Uncompressed video: Can store high-quality uncompressed video data
• Windows compatibility: Native support across all Windows versions
• DVD creation: Some DVD authoring tools require AVI input

Why Convert MP4 to AVI?

While MP4 is more modern, there are valid reasons to convert to AVI:

• Software requirements: Some older video editing software only accepts AVI
• Hardware compatibility: Certain DVD players and media devices prefer AVI
• Professional workflows: Specific industry tools may require AVI format
• Archival purposes: AVI's simplicity makes it reliable for long-term storage
• Quality preservation: AVI can store video with minimal compression

How to Convert MP4 to AVI

Converting your videos with SqueezeVid is straightforward:

1. Open the converter: Visit MP4 to AVI Converter
2. Select your MP4 file: Upload the video you want to convert
3. Choose conversion settings: Select codec and quality options
4. Start conversion: Click convert and wait for processing
5. Download AVI file: Save your converted video

MP4 vs AVI: Key Differences

Feature	MP4	AVI
File Size	Smaller (better compression)	Larger (less compression)
Quality	Excellent with compression	Excellent, can be uncompressed
Compatibility	Modern devices and web	Windows systems and legacy devices
Streaming	Optimized for streaming	Not ideal for streaming
Editing	Good	Excellent for editing

Understanding AVI Codecs

AVI is a container format that can use various codecs. Common codecs include:

• DivX: Popular compressed codec with good quality
• Xvid: Open-source alternative to DivX
• Uncompressed: Raw video data for maximum quality
• MJPEG: Motion JPEG for compatibility and editing
• H.264: Modern codec can also be used in AVI containers

Best Practices for MP4 to AVI Conversion

Follow these guidelines for optimal results:

• Choose the right codec: DivX or Xvid for compressed files, MJPEG for editing
• Consider file size: AVI files are typically larger than MP4
• Maintain quality: Use higher bitrates to preserve video quality
• Check compatibility: Ensure your target device supports the chosen codec
• Test the output: Always verify the converted file plays correctly

Common Use Cases

AVI format is ideal for specific scenarios:

• Video editing projects: Import into Adobe Premiere, Sony Vegas, or similar tools
• Legacy system playback: Older computers and Windows Media Player
• DVD authoring: Creating DVDs with various authoring software
• Professional broadcasting: Some broadcast systems require AVI input
• Archival storage: Long-term storage with minimal compression artifacts

File Size Considerations

Be aware that AVI files are typically larger than MP4:

• A 100MB MP4 file might become 200-400MB as AVI
• The exact size depends on the codec and quality settings chosen
• Uncompressed AVI files can be very large (1GB+ for a few minutes)
• Consider available storage space before converting large files

Other Video Conversion Options

SqueezeVid offers multiple conversion tools:

• Convert MP4 to MOV - For Apple ecosystem
• Convert MP4 to WebM - For web optimization
• Convert MP4 to GIF - For animations
• Convert AVI to MP4 - Reverse conversion

Quality Settings Guide

Choose appropriate settings based on your needs:

• Maximum quality (uncompressed): Professional editing, archival (very large files)
• High quality (DivX/Xvid high bitrate): DVD creation, professional use
• Medium quality (DivX/Xvid standard): General playback, legacy devices
• Economy quality (low bitrate): Storage-constrained situations

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems with your converted AVI files:

• File won't play: Install the required codec (K-Lite Codec Pack is recommended)
• Audio sync issues: Try using a different codec or adjusting frame rate
• File too large: Use a compressed codec like DivX or reduce bitrate
• Quality loss: Increase bitrate or choose less compression

AVI in Modern Workflows

While AVI is older technology, it remains relevant in certain workflows:

• Professional video editing suites often support AVI for intermediate files
• Broadcast and production environments may require AVI for compatibility
• Archival projects benefit from AVI's simple, well-documented structure
• Legacy content management systems may only support AVI uploads

Conclusion

Converting MP4 to AVI remains useful for specific applications, especially when working with **legacy systems** or **professional video editing software**. SqueezeVid's online converter makes this process easy and accessible, allowing you to convert videos without installing specialized software. While AVI files are generally larger than MP4, they offer excellent compatibility with older systems and certain professional workflows.