downloaded software 10 times it wont open??????

format hard drive reinstall win 7

download software 5 times wont open

using jzip and 7zip never ever a prob

but what a waste of of time

i can download other software and run it

but this is not good at all.

not happy

Key is still invalid !

i cant get registration key. i see " Currently no service available or internet connection is broken".

#23 MikeK

as I posted before am loving XMedia Recode - if I may answer some of your concerns?

I'm running it now, it's converting a 1/2 hour program from .wtv to .avi.

I have windows 7 64x, 8GB ram.

it's using between (fluctuating) 70%-%95 of CPU.

I am also surfing the net, Windows Media Center is recording a program, I'm downloading emails, I just copied some data (few hundred MBs), played a short video from my ph...

haven't had any issues with anything slowing down.

it's finished now and CPU back to normal straight away.

for the Encode button to appear you have to press the Add Job (green plus) button.

oh yeah and I selected the DivX codec.

it did its job well.

it must be annoying that the help file is in German, I wouldn't know, I just get "ERROR The requested URL could not be retrieved".

I think it's simple enough though, haven't had to use Help.

:-)

(I'd answer 33 Bill Larsen's concerns but you seem fazed by programs nagging you to update, not sure you should be using a computer...?)

excuse overtone... :-P

Downloaded, installed and registered easily.

Of course I did not turn off my anti-virus during installation.

This software suffers from a very serious flaw.
That flaw is fatal.
The window cannot be resized. It takes up the 100% of the screen.
The software has buttons and switches placed at extreme bottom, e.g. to click "Next" or "Save".

I allow 3 rows to accommodate various stuff such as tray icons, Start button, digital clock, language band, task bar, etc....at the bottom of the screen. These are ESSENTIAL.

This silly Format Converter 5 Pro software cannot be properly used; unless I remove the 3 rows at the bottom. Which of course is a No No.

This software tries to do too much in 1 package. Audio, Video, Image conversions.
It is sure to be a jack of all trades but master of none.
There will be lousy compromises and poorly done conversions, as already reported by other forum members here.

Uninstalled immediately after discovering the fatal flaw.

GAOTD is a great site for programs but lately the programs have been thumbs down today's Program is a thumbs down again for me

Thanks Anyways GAOTD

Several things I don't like about this giveaway:
1) It's (IMO) crippleware. On the "License Management" page (within the program) it says Audio and Video add-ins are installed; these are for purchase: DVR, 3D, Photo optimization, Video optimization

2) Update check attempts Internet access EVERY time the program is opened; I see no way to disable it (must be encoded in the program itself?)

3) Says the computer must be rebooted. I always have multiple programs open doing many things at once and don't like having to wait for it to reboot. I didn't reboot and didn't see any ill effect from it (but I must admit I didn't try converting anything!)

4) The online registration didn't work for me. I must thank the kind "Problems" commenter (comment 29) for giving us the email registration webpage URL.

Just not for me. Uninstalling...

Never figured out how to convert a movie previously converted to MPG format back to a standard DVD format.

I downloaded it an immediately tried converting an AVCHD video to an MP4 and then later to an MPG and then several other formats but each time the 8-second video was converted into a 4-second video which made it look like it was on fast-forward when playing it back.

Downloads and installs too slow. Hope it speeds up for music and video files though!

Re #7.. Giovanni
You forget to mention that XMedia-Recode will keep on bugging you to update. If you do it will download ( without permission) several programs. You will remove them and then it will start to annoy you again.
You may enjoy that crap, but not this boy.
KEEP YOUR XMEDIA-RECODE AND SHUV IT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE..

Could I suggest that GAOTD advises BEFORE we download the software that the priviso is that you MUST provide a "real" email address and one such as an yahoo address is not allowed. I would save us a lot of time ownload 80mB + only to find we can't use it, especially as it's "only another converter"

Many thanks for the software offered everyday, but on this one the hassle factor alone makes its not worthwhile.

bad software
crshes while scanning a directory

Problems with the activation?

Here is a direct link to get a serial:

https://mailer.engelmann.com/r/get/formatwandler_5_pro-741359190/

Why bother? There are so many free apps out there that do this. Now, if it converted graphics files too, then MAYBE it would be worth installing. I still run a vitural box w/win98 install just so I can run micrografx draw program that will convert every type of graphics known including the reading of MAC disks and ability to edit it's vector graphics on said disks. And it also will read and allow editing of PSD graphics. It's one of those tools that has been around for ever but never got much air play.

Free software that wants me to turn off anitvirus & firewall - NO WAY.

I agree with Giovanni. THIS FIELD IS SATURATED WITH FREEWARE OF THIS NATURE.

I use Portable XMedia Recode 3.1.7.2 as a video to audio and video to video converter. It does everything for me. I have downloaded tons of videos from YouTube and it converts them from FLV to MP3 and other formats. And it is free and portable.
http://www.freewarefiles.com/XMedia-Recode-Portable_program_55249.html

Also, take a look at another great freebie:
TEncoder Video Converter 3.6.0.3730 (video to video; video to audio)
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tencoder/

I didn't know all this . . . Is it true?

* * * * *

I can’t free me from the suspicion that Engelmann programs frequently sneaks in some parallell hidden activity:

“Long conversion time”, “Turn off your antivirus”, installations in many steps that sometimes bypass GOTD safety checks by demanding immediate re-installations directly from the Engelmann site, where tempting with other “free” programs that in my experience for a reason bypasses GOTD safety checks by bypassing GOTD website.

Indications of similar behaviour points to that other “german” companies delivering to GOTD are actually pseudonymes for Engelmann.

x 21. MikeK

No I was not aware of this glitch simply bcs I'm using Windows7 32 bit and so far it never let me down (and it looks like most Softpedia readers who have rated it as "Excellent" [4.8 out of 5] do agree with me).

But why not report it your directly to the German developer?

It could actually be useful for him to fix this bug:

info@xmedia-recode.de

Or better yet, just try this FREE GEM (it's also PORTABLE) I forgot to mention in my previous message:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/tencoder

Doesn't anyone list the operating system anymore???
Would like to see, who had problems installing in Windows 8 and 64-bit systems??

Even XP operating systems that are 64-bit.

Just my view on posting your thoughts and recommendations.

Posted this b-4 my review sorry.

#6 Giovanni, have you read the comments for the software you recommend? It is being reported as crashing Windows 7 x64 when loading M4A for one thing. I am using Windows 7 x64, so that could be a problem for a lot of people, not just me. Lots of people are saying it slow, it crashes when DivX is chosen and even Softpedia themselves are saying it will use around 95% of your CPU and that the "Encode" button is not always clickable, apparently failing at random and also the help file is in German, which not everyone speaks.

#10-- Many converters do not work with WMA (Windows Media) files because the format is copyrighted by Windows (Microsoft).

tip: use the tab key to hop from name to email box for registration

.... the "generic" video compression option creates smaller sized files than any of the other progs (I have) tested so far, so I'm keeping this only for that reason

#11 imontheinternet

sorry me again (I'm imontheinternet).

when I say "this one does it easily I mean Portable XMedia Recode.

#6 Giovanni

I'm so impressed with Portable XMedia Recode.

thanks so much for the recommendation :-)

- in case anyone has trouble finding converters that will do the .WTV files made by Windows Media Centre this one does it easily.

Seems like a good program, but infortunately Windows says that the program has stopped working when I add a WMA file, but it works with a MP3 file.
Anybody who knows of a fix?

When installing the display prompts you to disable antivirus. What else?, Can provide a credit number and PIN? LOL!!.
No thanks not need scams.

Another converter? No thanks. I am still waiting for some good software. Thumbs down on this thing.

Offers AVCHD MTS conversion, so may be of special interest to owners of camcorders from Sony, Panasonic, Canon, Hitachi, JVC, Leica Camera, etc.
To devs: Thanks for the free offering. In the software description, it would be helpful to emphasize the special features of your software (such as the camcorder conversion mentioned above) that distinguishes it from the countlessly many video conversion programs.

If you want to sell this product at this price you will have to explain and give relevant information why buyers would want your product! I searched their site in every corner but did not even find a picture of the interface of this product. Clicking on "functions" shows no detailed information, clicking on "product overview" links to the webshop. (?) If no effort is made to sell this product, why should I believe its worth installing?

I can't free me from the suspicion that Engelmann programs frequently sneaks in some parallell hidden activity:

"Long conversion time", "Turn off your antivirus", installations in many steps that sometimes bypass GOTD safety checks by demanding immediate re-installations directly from the Engelmann site, where tempting with other "free" programs that in my experience for a reason bypasses GOTD safety checks by bypassing GOTD website.

Indications of similar behaviour points to that other "german" companies delivering to GOTD are actually pseudonymes for Engelmann.

Comment by Louis Gu #2:
While you love your ImElfin Total Media Converter and are kind enough to leave us a link to it, you forgot to mention the $99.99 price tag with it. Go hawk your software somewhere else. These are FREE!

“please use a valid address”...
Everybody should have a dedicated email address for spam, that you use when filling up those obnoxious internet forms.
My personal email address is precious, and i give it only to very selected few people. That is why i don't get any spam.
About this program why bother ? Freemake Video Converter, Format Factory, Any video converter, Oxelon converter, XMedia Recode... plenty of good free programs.

#1
it is very common that you have to give an e-mail adress to get your serial number etc.

You can give your own or a fake e-mail adress, it is up to you.

Remember that not much in this world is totally free !

I can understand that they don't give away their Ultimate version prized 149 Euro (I'm missing $ prizes!).

And I'm missing a positive comparison of different versions.
In http://formatconverter.net/en/details/functions/plugin-overview/
they are telling that you need plugins for different tasks, e.g.
"Video Pro plugin
The Video Pro plugin allows you to equip Format Converter 5 with an impressive list of additional target formats, ranging from templates for all Apple devices through games consoles, DVD players and media centers to streaming clients and cell phones.
There are, in addition to this, general conversion profiles for various formats such as MPG, PAL, DivX, H.264 and more. There’s hardly a player left out.
Buy an activation key".

They don't accept trash email accounts: "please use a valid address", a misleading formulation used by some others, too, and I'm normally not going any further with software from unknown sources.)
Please remember the usual simple strategies to get rid of their many emails with special offers if you don't like them.

I'm downloading it and because of a very slow connection I can't comment it's usage before moderators go to sleep. And Themida's additional 10 MB are a big nuisance for me, especially as others don't need this for their giveaways.

By the way Engelmann acts as a reseller. The producer S.A.D. is active since decades and I couldn't bypass using some of their software.

One thing developers like this should do to make their products more appealing could be to explain GAOTD readers what makes their software worth buying when compared to other FREE alternatives out there.

In this case why pay 60 bucks or install it for free with the update limitation, if you can do even more for FREE with an outstanding freeware like "Xmedia Recode"???

This is a crazy all-in-one FREE & PORTABLE Video and Audio converter, which can convert at high speed ANY Video & Audio files flawlessly into any other format you like, giving you even the option to pick your iPhone model.

With this FREE app advanced users are also able to:

- syncronize both Audio and Video files with ease
- modify bitrate & keyframe interval
- change the framerate and the rate control mode of both videos and audio chapters

Supported VIDEO INPUT formats:
3GP, 3G2, AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, APE, ASF, AVI, AviSynth, AU, DVD, DTS, E-AC3, FLAC, FLV, H.261, H.263, H.264, M2TS, M1V, M2V, M3U, M3U8, M4A, M4P, M4V, Matroska, MMF, MP2, MP3, MP4, MP4V, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Ogg, OGM, OPUS, PVA, REC, RealMedia, RMVB, SVCD, SWF, THP, TS, TRP, TP0, VCD, VOB, WebM, WMA, WMV, WPL

Supported VIDEO OUTPUT formats:
Asus V1, Asus V2, MPEG-4 Part 2, MS MPEG4 V2, MS MPEG4 V3 DV Video, Flash Video, Flash Screen Video, H.261, H.263, H.263+ H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (using x264), Huffyuv, M-JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Theora, VP8, WMV V7, WMV V8

Supported AUDIO formats:
AAC, AC3, ADPCM MICROSOFT, ADPCM YAMAHA, A-LAW, AMR NB, AMR WB, MP2, MP3, OPUS, Vorbis, WAV-PCM 16 little endian, WAV-PCM 16 little endian, WAV-PCM 24 Little-Endian, WAV-PCM U8, WMA V7, WMA V8

Subtitle formats
.ass, .jss, .js, .ssa, .srt

http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Multimedia/Video/Portable-XMedia-Recode.shtml

See also:
http://www.mediacoderhq.com/audio

So my question is: why pay more for less??

Good question, isn't it? LOL!!

My 2 cents.....

"Creates high-quality music files for long-term archiving.."

--- What !? It this magic? - or hype...

Another convertor? Many people think that there are too many of them, especially as many of them are free (e.g. Format factory) Therefore the price tag seems like a joke. This software would have to perform something extraordinary to be worth it. So does it perform anything extra?

The installation was quite long. During the registration you have to provide your name and e-mail (not good)

The UI looks very nice and friendly. I tried to convert an audio and video file. You can see a video depicting the process here: http://www.aj3000.org/demo/demo.html

The video conversion took really long, so I stopped it after 7 minutes.

I didn’t like two things about the software: firts during the installation I was recommended to turn off my antivirus (I didn’t do it and the installation was fine) and second the length of the conversion.

I will stay with Format factory which is free and does the job more quickly and the interface seems more intuitive to me.

Will it convert AAX to MP3?

Cannot retrieve serial due to broken internet connection in the

program.

The website where the keys are stored needs to be fixed.

This one is more outstanding than yesterday's giveaway program named SWF to video converter cause of it was only a single-function video tool. Today's video converter is also so so, even though compared with the last one, it had been added other extra capabilities such as audio conversion, the input video formats had been increased a lot. That means you can import the current mainstream videos into this program to be converted like MP4, MPG, AVI, DivX, Xvid, H.264 and more. But it still still cannot catch up with ImElfin Total Media Converter.

Some disadvantages that format converter 5 lose :

1. support burning and ripping DVD/Blu-ray discs.
2. support downloading videos from website online.
3. support converter 2D movies to 3D format.
4. support video edition.

Source file and learn more, reference to CNET download site, http://download.cnet.com/ImElfin-Total-Media-Converter/3000-2194_4-75940340.html

It wants your e-mail address. I wonder why ?
No thanks.