EasyVid review
EasyVid combines open source video tools into a versatile freeware video converter. EasyVid uses MEncoder, MPlayer, and FFMpeg to convert a wide range of video files, and not just the popular ones, like AVI, FLV, and MPEG, but also MOV, MKV, and 3GP. A dense but well-configured and up-to-date interface presents all the commonly used buttons and menus upfront, with options for Subtitle, Encoding, and Skin in the Settings.
Pros
Open Source: Open source freeware delivers the biggest bang for the buck (as in no bucks) in computing. It's usually a labor of love and freely shared -- though donations from satisfied users are welcome.
Efficient layout: EasyVid's layout seems crowded at first glance, but it's actually efficiently (if densely) configured. More detailed features, like Filters and Custom Arguments, are handled in separate interfaces.
Video options: You can switch rapidly between 11 different codecs or none, force aspect ratio, use two-pass encoding, and much more in the Video Options. The Audio tab includes settings for bit rate, sample rate, audio codecs, and 1, 2, or 5.1 channels, or same as source.
Subtitles: EasyVid supports hard-coding of subtitles to videos.
Cons
Help file: EasyVid's product page offers useful information, and you can view a text Change Log from the software's Help menu, but a real Help file or manual would be better.
Bottom Line
EasyVid delivers performance, features, and options that commercial developers find hard to match at any price.
