AllMusicConverter 4.4

Despite its name, AllMusicConverter is actually a multimedia re-encoding tool with support for both video and audio codecs. Thus, you can use this easy-to-use application to either convert video and audio files between formats or to extract the audio stream of your favorite video files.

Funnily enough, this music-related utility offers you a list of output video profiles that is significantly longer than that of audio profiles, which leaves you wonder. Codec-wise the differences are not that big, though - the only audio formats supported are MP3, WAV, M4A, and WMA, while the audio encoder supports MPEG-4, H.264, DivX (AVI), 3GP, and WMV, plus the possibility of extracting the audio as AAC or MP3 files.

The program’s interface is dull and unattractive, but that does not detract from its efficiency. It comes configured to convert automatically and without warning any video or audio files you add to the conversion list, which is usually the logical first step in all conversion programs. The program will convert those files using the default output profile and will place them in the default output folder. Once you have located and deleted those involuntarily converted files, you can open the settings dialog and uncheck the “Start conversion automatically” option to avoid more “surprise conversions” in the future. Here you will find one of the main assets of this tool – the possibility of setting up a “hot folder”. This means that the program will keep an eye on the folder of your choice and will convert any media file you (or anyone else) drop in it without requiring any further intervention on your side.

Back in the main interface, you will find a ribbon on top of the conversion list with some interesting features. The program includes a built-in player that you can use to listen and view both the input and the output media files, and a “Burn” button to save your converted files to disc. Finally, if you happen to have an iPod connected to your computer, AllMusicConverter will allow you to transfer all your iPod-compatible files to it without leaving the program.