Just downloaded Format Facotry. Simple to instal and looks very uncomplicated. Conversion worked but audio and video are violently out of sync. Tried output to AVI and also MP4. It seems the video is converting at a much slower rate than the audio resulting in the non-sync. The audio finishes 8-10 seconds before the video on a one-and-a-half minute clip. I used to convert video with a free web-based application called Acethinker Video Converter, never had that problem.

I'm not sure what I was doing wrong but I was trying to convert some swf videos I made to a different format (I attempted several, not all at the same time) but the conversions kept failing.

Otherwise it seems to be a good program.

Excellent to get mpg to mp4 for a Mac (iDVD).
So convert on Windows and send through ethernet or USB to Mac.

After trying Format Factory for a few days, it's clear that the DVD ripper needs work. I was trying to rip my old Star Wars discs onto my new computer, but Format Factory failed the operation on four of the six movies.

I got Format Factory because I couldn't figure out how to use Handbrake (yes, I suck). It did its job.

I rejected the Ask toolbar, and as far as I'm aware, no second, super duper secret virus malware trojan ninja assassin toolbar has been installed. So just don't install the Ask bar when you get Format Factory, and you should be fine.

Mediacoder worries me after seeing Operation Aurora and it suddenly closing source. I don't suggest using it due to the risk the Chinese government has influenced its development ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Aurora )

It appears format factory is from China as well.

Don't use Chinese software, folks.

Thanks klischee for telling us. I can't really remember, i always uncheck toolbar stuff.. i can't remember if it installed a toolbar anyway. If you know anything better, add the alternative =)
I've tried some, but this definatly worked the best for me so far.
I also like how the sound and video are still sync (other converters sometimes have like 3 seconds off)

Warning! It trys to install the "Ask Toolbar", and also if you decline, another toolbar will install without asking you to Firefox and IE. Even when you deinstall this toolbar a lot of files and registry entrys stay on your computer. Except of this shit, it wasn't able to encode files to XviD with the bitrate I configured, even when I set up 1600kbit, it only encoded with something around 1000. There are better converters out there, without being Ad- and possibly Spyware (the Setup connects to ask.com, and FormatFactory is calling home also with updates disabled).

It also keeps a real good quality when i convert a video, unlike some other converters

Ok, because my dvd rec/player is crap with USB and formats, I needed a good converter. And this one was the best I've tried. Real easy to use, many supported formats and it's free!

Most amazing converter ever! Supports tons of formats, lovely interface, and Free! Need I say more!

Really complete converter application and freeware is the best part of it