Not so long ago software programs that were converting WAVs to MP3s, AVIs to MPEGs, were pretty popular, although their abilities were limited to just a few features and not to mention the low format support. Nowadays, the competition has been getting stronger and stronger, especially from the online programs that require no download because you can access them via your web browser. Such programs are Zamzar and Media Convert.

Zamzar is based on a very simple concept and in no more than one minute and 4 easy steps you are done with the converting process. To convert your file you first have to upload it and the program will automatically detect its extension and show you the possibilities available for conversion. The file has to be no more than 100MB. On the next you enter your e-mail address and finish by pressing the magic button. You will then receive the link to the converted file in your e-mail, which must be downloaded in 24 hours.

As for Media Convert, it just has more features and a little more complicated user interface than Zamzar.  Once you have browsed for your file, the program can detect its type automatically or you can help him by selecting the appropriate extension. The next step is to choose in what file type you want the conversion to be and a special feature is that you are able to select to split up the converted file. For images you can set the size of the converted images, for sounds you can use the crop ability. Another neat feature is the option where the converted file can be downloaded to your mobile phone.

written by Robert M.