# Converting .MOV files to different formats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 24, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760 "2010-11-24T09:16:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/1 "2010-11-24T09:16:34Z")
My Canon PowerShot camera shoots video in .MOV format. I want to edit the videos in Windows Movie Maker, but it won’t work with .MOV format. How do I convert the video? What format is best to convert it to? AVI? WMV? I googled this and spent a while reading up but could not find anything I am confident in. I did finally download [Hamster free video converter](http://videoconverter.hamstersoft.com/) but am not sure it’s any good. I am trying it out now. Also are there any other video editing tools that are better than Movie Maker, but the right price (read: free)? ---
**Author:** ![Chickenwrangler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chickenwrangler/32/91_2.png) [@Chickenwrangler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenwrangler)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/2 "2010-11-24T09:56:16Z")
The free program Format Factory converts just about anything to just about anything [http://www.pcfreetime.com](http://www.pcfreetime.com) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/3 "2010-11-24T16:22:18Z")
The freeware [MPEG Streamclip](http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-win.html) will do the job for you, Mac and PC version are available. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/4 "2010-11-24T18:39:32Z")
Thanks for the links. Anyone have recommendations for video editing software? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/5 "2010-11-24T18:42:49Z")
> **[Freebies | dotTech](https://dottech.org/category/freebies/)** > > I gave up my ‘illegal’ activities long ago – but I still like freebies. Here you will find posts about how to attain commercial software for free – 100% legit! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/6 "2010-11-24T18:46:43Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > [Freebies | dotTech](http://dottech.org/category/freebies) Thank you, I am checking it out now. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/7 "2010-11-24T19:17:52Z")
I used the WinX converter and it’s not difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/8 "2010-11-24T20:01:23Z")
It’s really best to stick to the same format. If you convert you are going to be compressing again and losing some quality. Sometimes not a lot but it’s advisable to keep the same format if at all possible. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-mov-files-to-different-formats/561760/9 "2010-11-24T20:26:29Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > It’s really best to stick to the same format. If you convert you are going to be compressing again and losing some quality. Sometimes not a lot but it’s advisable to keep the same format if at all possible. OK, so what program can I use to edit .MOV files? I suppose Apple had a program but I have a PC. I am trying out the Wondershare Video Studio Express linked above and so far I like it. It’s very simple and easy to use.