The AVI (Audio Video Interleave) file format was first created by Microsoft in late 1992 as part of the company’s video for Windows technology efforts. An AVI file can consist of both audio and video content that permits synchronous playback. The majority of AVI files use the format extension defined by the Matrox OpenDML group in February 1996. A common problem that arises for end-users is to convert AVI to MPEG format to support playback on a greater number of multimedia playback devices.

Convert AVI to MPEG with HandBrake

Step 1 – Download and install the HandBrake conversion program on the target computer. The program is available for use on multiple operating systems to include Linux, Mac, and Windows and is published under an open source software license.
Step 2 – Launch the HandBrake application by double clicking the program icon installed on the computer’s desktop.

Step 3 – Choose the “Source” menu option and select the AVI file using the “File Chooser” opened by the HandBrake application.

Step 4 – Select the appropriate MPEG type in the “Output Settings” menu choice. Typical options for AVI video conversions include MPEG-2 or MP-4. For AVI files that are audio-only, MPEG-3 or MP-4 can be selected.

Step 5 – Toggle the height and width of the video content as desired for the output file.

Step 6 – Choose the “Browse” menu option to pick the output destination on the computer for the “MPEG” file.

Step 7 – Choose the “Start” button to convert the AVI file to MEG. There will be a completed dialogue message displayed when the program is done with the file conversion.

Convert AVI to MPEG with Quick Time Pro

A popular commercial option for consumers to convert AVI to MPEG is Quick Time Pro. The application can be installed on Mac or Windows computers and supports conversions to all variants of MPEG formats.

Step 1 – Visit the Quick Time Pro home page and purchase the commercial application from Apple. After purchase, download and install the application on the target computer.

Step 2 – Launch the Quick Time Pro program by opening the program icon located in the “Program Files” sub-menu of the computer’s start menu.

Step 3 – Choose the “File” and “Open Files” menu choices. Then, select the AVI file to open in Quick Time Pro.

Step 4 – Select the “Export” menu choice. Then, click the “Save Exported File As” menu option.

Step 5 – Change the output format type to “MPEG-2” or “MPEG-4” for the AVI file if it is a video file. If the AVI is an audio format, choose “MPEG-3.”

Step 6 – Change the file name of the new file if desired and choose the output destination drive to save the converted MPEG file.

Step 8 – Click the “Save” menu option and the AVI will be converted to MPEG format.