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Update3: Since the developer of FormatFactory is releasing updates for FormatFactory to add new features, fix bugs, etc. at an astonishing pace (5 major updates since I originally wrote this article!) I have decided to keep a dedicated thread running to keep dotTechies informed of new version releases and the changes in those releases. Please continually refer to the post on FormatFactory updates to keep in the circle about new FormatFactory features and updates.

Looking over the comments on today's giveaway of Video to Flash Converter it has occurred to me that many people don't know of this amazing program I am about to introduce you to.

First ask your self these five questions:

1. Do I want to be able to easily convert a video file to literally any video format?
2. Do I want to be able to easily convert an audio file to literally any audio format?
3. Do I want to be able to easily rip the audio from a video file?
4. Do I want to be able to easily convert an image file to many different image formats?
5. Do I want to be able to easily  rip (video and audio) DVD/CDs?
6. Do I want to have the ability to do all this with one file at a time and in batch mode?

If the answer to any of the above 6 questions is "Yes", then you should keep reading. If you answered "No" to all the questions, get lost (just kidding - please don't get lost).

Ladies and gentleman, meet FormatFactory:

FormatFactory meet ladies and gentlemen. FormatFactory is a freeware program that will replace all your other converting programs. With FormatFactory you can convert videos -> videos, audios -> audios, images -> images. As an added bonus, you can also rip the audio from video files, and rip music/movie DVD/CDs.

In more detail FormatFactory supports:

• The conversion of the following video formats (input files)...

...into MP4, 3GP, AVI, WMV, MPG, VOB, FLV, SWF and MOV video formats (output files). Also, there are also predefined profiles included for mobile devices, such as an iPod or iPhone, that you can convert to (output files):

Okay so that is not literally *every* video format like I claimed. But I figured it is close enough that you will forgive me for stretching the truth a little bit.

• The conversion of the following audio formats (input files)...

...into MP3, WMA, FLAC, ACC, MMF, AMR, M4A, M4R, OGG, MP2 and WAV audio formats (output files). Again I sort of stretched the truth about being able to convert to *every* audio format, but hey, if I did not say that would you be reading this impressive list?

• The ripping of audio from the above mentioned video formats (input files) into MP3, WMA, FLAC, ACC, MMF, AMR, M4A, M4R, OGG, MP2 and WAV audio formats (output files).
• The conversion of the following image formats (input files)...

...into JPG, PNG, ICO, BMP, GIF, TIF, PCX, and TGA image formats (output files).

• The ripping of video DVDs (input files) into MP4, AVI, WMV, 3GP, MPG, VOB, or FLV video formats (output files). Also you can convert to the mobile device profiles I mentioned above.
• The ripping of Music CDs (input files) into MP3, WMA, FLAC, ACC, MMF, AMR, M4A, M4R, OGG, MP2 and WAV audio formats (output files).
• The ripping of a DVD/CD (input) into an ISO or CSO (output).
• Conversion of an ISO to a CSO and vice versa.
• The ability to combine any two of the video formats (input files) I mentioned above into one single AVI or WMV video (output files).
• To top it all off, you can do all the converting in batch mode (except maybe ripping a DVD for obvious reasons).

Update: All the above features are for FormatFactory v1.70. Since I the time I wrote this thread originally, FormatFactory has been updated frequently and it has a lot more features now. For example, the video joiner supports FLV, MP4, MKV, 3GP, SWF, and mobile devices in addition to WMV and AVI now. Please follow the FormatFactory updates thread to keep in the loop about new features and releases.

All along the way, you can the ability to control the quality and settings of your output file. For example, you can change the resolution of your output video files; you can change the bitrate of your audio files; you can make the output file high quality but big file size, low quality and small file size, or anything in between.

And for non-English speakers, FormatFactory supports 42 languages:

The *only* con I found with FormatFactory is that it cannot take SWF flash videos as an input (it will take FLV), but you can output as them. Hopefully the developer will add this feature in later versions.

If you are still interested, you can download FormatFactory from the following link:

Officially FormatFactory works on all 32-bit Windows; however 64-bit Windows dotTechies have  reported it works on 64-bit just fine.

Click here to download FormatFactory

Update: Some people are claiming FormatFactory contains virus/malware; this is totally false - FormatFactory is 100% clean. I have used FormatFactory for a long time and never did Kaspersky or Avira, both who have excellent detection ratings of malware/viruses, detect anything. In addition, a scan by VirusTotal.com finds FormatFactory to be clean. Even SiteAdvisor, which lists "FormatOz.com" as "dangerous" finds all the downloads from the website, i.e. FormatFactory, to be clean. SiteAdvisor lists the website as dangerous because it links to bad websites... the website itself, and its content, are 100% clean.

Also, please do not worry about the fact that the main download mirror for FormatFactory is Brothersoft.com. The reason Brothersoft.com has a bad reputation is because they are way too lenient in allowing anyone, even people who distribute malicious crap, to upload onto their website and use it as a mirror. If you don't feel comfortable downloading from Brothersoft.com use the "Local site" link to download directly from the developer's website.

Update2: The installer for FormatFactory now includes an option to put an eBay icon on your computer. This option is checked by default. Be sure to uncheck it if you do not want the icon to be put on your desktop.