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Batch Convert .AVI Files to .MP4

Automate the conversion of multiple .AVI video files to the .MP4 format using FFmpeg, streamlining the process for efficiency and consistency.

Command (Linux and macOS)

for i in *.avi; do ffmpeg -i "$i" -c:v libx264 -preset fast -c:a aac "${i%.avi}.mp4"; done

Command (Windows Command Prompt)

FOR %G IN (*.avi) DO ffmpeg -i "%G" -c:v libx264 -preset fast -c:a aac "%~nG.mp4"

Parameters

  • -i "$i" / "%G": Specifies the input .AVI file. The variables $i (for bash) and %G (for CMD) represent each .AVI file found by the loop.
  • -c:v libx264: Utilizes the H.264 codec for video encoding to ensure good compatibility and a balance between quality and file size.
  • -preset fast: Selects a preset for the libx264 encoder that optimizes the balance between encoding speed and output quality. Alternatives include veryfast, faster, medium, slow, and veryslow.
  • -c:a aac: Sets the audio codec to AAC for broad compatibility.
  • ${i%.avi}.mp4" / "%~nG.mp4: Defines the name of the output .MP4 file. The expressions ${i%.avi}.mp4 and %~nG.mp4 remove the .avi extension from the input file name and append .mp4.

Possible Errors

  • File not found: This error may occur if no .AVI files are present in the directory. Ensure you are in the correct directory that contains .AVI files.
  • Codec compatibility issues: If the .AVI files use codecs that are incompatible for conversion to H.264/AAC, it may be necessary to adjust codec parameters or investigate the codecs used in the source files.
  • Permission denied: This issue can arise if you lack the necessary permissions to read the .AVI files or write the .MP4 files. Verify the permissions for both files and directories.

Additional Information

  • Directory Navigation: Before executing the batch conversion command, navigate to the directory containing your .AVI files. Use cd /path/to/directory on Linux/macOS or CD \path\to\directory on Windows.
  • Quality Adjustment: The quality of the output video can be modified by altering the -crf value for the libx264 encoder (e.g., -crf 23). Lower values enhance quality and increase file size, whereas higher values reduce both.
  • Audio Quality: To improve audio quality, adjust the bit rate using the -b:a option (e.g., -b:a 192k).
  • Scripting: For convenience, consider saving these commands in a script file (e.g., `convert.sh