AVI Files

Hi

A local Drama group that I've shot some Video for has asked for the finished Files to be supplied as AVI files. When I tried to export as an AVI file I basically couldn't find the way to to do this.

Can I Export as an AVI, does this make sense ?

Any advice would be gratefully accepted.

thanks

Neil

They must be the only people in the world who still use AVI. You cannot export to AVI directly, but there is a workaround that does not take any extra time.

Export to MP4, then just change the extension to .AVI

The AVI file will play in VLC and old QT7 player.

- Ronny

I remember AVI files! Transported them on portable Firewire spinning disc drives, while riding our dinosaurs to work. Ah, I do not miss AVI files, but I do miss my dinosaur...

Ah ok,, I'm not sure why they've asked for AVI

When you say change the extension to AVI, do you literally mean change the last figures i.e. .mov to .AVI ?

thanks

Neil

Yep, that's it. I just tried it with a file and it works flawlessly. The container (.mov or .AVI) does not really matter as long as the codec can be read by the client. That's we I advise encoding to MP4 as this is one of the most compatible formats.

- Ronny

Big thanks

My pleasure, Neil.

- Ronny

I have to use an app called pavtube but they seem to have disappeared meaning zero updates in 2-3 years...

mpeg streamclip by squared 5 also does it I think it's freeware/donation.

Ronnys trick also works well for changing .MOV files to .mp4 in cases where certain Windows PC's cannot playback MOV files. Years ago we did this all the time for clients, but nowadays more PC's deal better with MOV files, typically those that have iTunes installed.

Neil P wrote: … asked for the finished Files to be supplied as AVI files. ...

… riding on Dinos to work <humming Flintstones jingle> LOL

Nell,
probably 'just' a semantic problem: they want a digital file, no tape/DVD/…?
Create a h264.mp4 and done.

btmk, even Windows10 handles (some) AVI not anymore … it is an antique and obsolete media-container … but in some minds still the generic term for 'video file'.-

The files are to be projected onto a big screen during a drama performance, linked up to a PC with the files on.

They seemed to think AVI files would work best ?

Neil

OK, the client is mistaken. Someone working with them is very PC illiterate and thinks AVI is still some sort of standard. Microsoft dropped support for it ages ago. Just give them a normal H.264 (.mp4) file and ask them to try it out. Explain that AVI is very old format that Microsoft doesn't support any longer. Ask them to try out what you're giving them.

If they THEN want AVI for some reason, do what Ronny says and be done with it. But I'd at least try to educate the client first. In my professional experience, they love you for it.

yep, cool , thanks for the advice.

I'll educate them

thanks again

Neil

AVI files are just a container -- various different codecs could be inside. What Karsten said is correct: sometimes non-video people use it to mean "video file".

For a public performance, I would not give them *only* an AVI file (real or renamed). Along with the requested AVI, I'd give them H264 MP4 files at 720p and 1080p using the default FCPX Master File>Computer>H264 output. Some old computers will handle 720 better than 1080.

IF they demand actual AVI, you could export ProRes, get the free version of Resolve, and export one of the various AVI codecs it supports. Plus give them MP4 at 720 and 1080.

I've seen many playback failures due to situations like this. The equipment is often old or of unknown configuration. More recently it happens if giving them 4k "because it's better", then the playback system can't handle it or stutters. Lots of older projectors can't even do 1080, or are 4:3 aspect ratio.

Audio is another issue, esp if using a separate audio chain to the PA with video driving modern large-screen TVs. The TVs often have video processing enabled which can introduce lip sync issues.

If it's a hand-off situation, you can only give them several formats, some advice and hope for the best. If it's an important showing where you'll be present, the best solution is get access to the venue early and personally test the equipment, also if possible bring back-up laptop and various cables and adapters.

My doc team finally gave up on venue assurances their equipment is fine - we take our own PA, projector, computers and screen.