Freemake Video Converter

{{Infobox software

| name = Freemake Video Converter

| title = Freemake Video Converter

| logo = Freemake Video Converter icon.png

| developer = Ellora Assets Corporation

| released = {{Start date|2010|07|01|df=yes}}

| latest release version = 4.1.14.1{{cite web |url=http://www.freemake.com/freemake_video_converter_changelog/ |title=Version history |website=freemake.com}}

| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2022|12|06|df=yes}}

| operating system = Windows

| platform = .NET Framework 4

| size = 283 MB

| genre = Video editing software

| language = English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Czech, Chinese and Japanese

| license = Freemium adware

| website = {{URL|http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter/}}

| screenshot = Freemake interface.JPG

| caption = Freemake Video Converter 4.1.6 Interface

| collapsible = yes

}}

Freemake Video Converter is a freemium video editing app developed by Ellora Assets Corporation. Designed primarily for entry-level users, the software offers a range of functionalities including video format conversion, DVD ripping, and the creation of photo slideshows and music visualizations. Additionally, Freemake Video Converter is capable of burning video streams that are compatible with various media, such as DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. It also features direct video uploading capabilities to platforms like YouTube.,{{cite web |last=Horton |first=Steve |date=5 September 2010 |title=Freemake Video Converter Converts Files to Other Formats - For Free |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/204787/freemake_video_converter_converts_files_to_other_formatsfor_free.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411140008/http://www.pcworld.com/article/204787/freemake_video_converter_converts_files_to_other_formatsfor_free.html |archive-date=11 April 2012 |accessdate=1 November 2010 |work=PC World |publisher=PCWorld Communications, Inc.}}{{cite web |last=Gordon |first=Whitson |date=20 July 2010 |title=Freemake Is a Remarkably Simple, Yet Feature-Filled Video Converter and Editor |url=http://lifehacker.com/5600735/freemake-is-a-rmarkably-simple-yet-feature+filled-video-converter-and-editor |accessdate=1 November 2010 |work=LifeHacker}} enhancing its utility for content creators. The application's user-friendly interface and broad compatibility make it accessible for individuals with minimal video editing experience.

Features

Freemake Video Converter can perform simple non-linear video editing tasks, such as cutting, rotating, flipping, and combining multiple videos into one file with transition effects.{{cite web|url=http://geekermagazine.com/top-10-best-free-video-editing-softwares/|title=Top 10 Best Free Video Editing Softwares (sic.)|work=Geeker Magazine|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816083501/http://geekermagazine.com/top-10-best-free-video-editing-softwares/|archive-date=16 August 2013|accessdate=28 December 2013}} It can also create photo slideshows with background music. Users are then able to upload these videos to YouTube.{{cite web

|url = http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/step-by-step/1933367/convert-share-videos-freemake-video-converter

|title = Convert and share videos using Freemake Video Converter

|work = ComputerActive

|publisher = Incisive Media

|date = 17 January 2011

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110120010554/http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/step-by-step/1933367/convert-share-videos-freemake-video-converter

|archivedate = 20 January 2011

}}

Freemake Video Converter can read the majority of video, audio, and image formats, and outputs them to AVI, MP4, WMV, Matroska, FLV, SWF, 3GP, DVD, Blu-ray, MPEG and MP3.{{cite web

|url = http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-20013361-12.html

|title = Freemake Video Converter

|work = Download.com

|publisher = CBS Interactive

|date = 11 August 2010

|accessdate = 1 November 2010

|first = Jasmine

|last = France

|archive-date = 5 October 2012

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121005091706/http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-20013361-12.html

|url-status = dead

}}{{cite web

|url = http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=3238486

|title = Freemake Video Converter

|work = PC Advisor

|publisher = IDG

|date = 7 September 2010

|accessdate = 1 November 2010

}} The program also prepares videos supported by various multimedia devices, including Apple devices (iPod, iPhone, iPad), Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Samsung, Nokia, BlackBerry, and Android mobile devices.{{cite journal

|journal = PC Praxis

|title = Videos und Musik in Form bringen

|language = German

|first = Torsten

|last = Schmidt

|date=October 2010

|page = 149

}} The software is able to perform DVD burning and is able to convert videos, photographs, and music into DVD video.{{cite web

|url = http://www.onlinepc.ch/index.cfm?page=104029&artikel_id=24753

|title = Freemake Video Converter 1.1: Brennt 40 Stunden Film auf 1 DVD

|language = German

|work = Online PC

|date = 6 September 2010

|accessdate = 1 November 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120305173154/http://www.onlinepc.ch/index.cfm?page=104029&artikel_id=24753

|archive-date = 5 March 2012

|url-status = dead

}}

The user interface is based on Windows Presentation Foundation technology. Freemake Video Converter supports NVIDIA CUDA technology for H.264 video encoding (starting with version 1.2.0).{{cite web

|url = http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/freemake-first-cudasupported-free-video-converter-173819.php

|title = Freemake: First CUDA-Supported Free Video Converter

|publisher=24-7 Press Release

|location = Victoria, Seychelles

|date = 13 October 2010

|accessdate = 1 November 2010

}}{{cite web

|url = http://gulli.com/news/freemake-kostenloses-allroundpaket-f-r-videoeinsteiger-2010-10-22

|title = Freemake: Kostenloses Allroundpaket für Videoeinsteiger

|language = German

|work = Gulli.com

|date = 22 October 2010

|accessdate = 1 November 2010

|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130103071550/http://www.gulli.com/news/14564-freemake-kostenloses-allroundpaket-fuer-videoeinsteiger-update-2010-12-20

|archive-date = 3 January 2013

|url-status = dead

}}

Important updates

Freemake Video Converter 2.0 was a major update that integrated two new functions: ripping video from online portals and Blu-ray disc creation and burning.{{cite web

|url = http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/freemake-video-converter-adds-blu-ray-support-web-video-download/

|title = Freemake Video Converter adds Blu-Ray support, Web video downloading

|work = DownloadSquad

|publisher = AOL Inc.

|date = 22 December 2010

|first = Lee

|last = Mathews

|access-date = 24 December 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131018041334/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/freemake-video-converter-adds-blu-ray-support-web-video-download/

|archive-date = 18 October 2013

|url-status = dead

}}{{cite web

|url = http://download.cnet.com/8301-20_4-10476431-10084490.html

|title = Free video conversion, DVD backup

|work = CNET Download.com

|publisher = CBS Interactive

|date = 17 December 2010

|first = Jasmine

|last = France

|access-date = 24 December 2010

|archive-date = 6 October 2012

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121006195450/http://download.cnet.com/8301-20_4-10476431-10084490.html

|url-status = dead

}} Version 2.1 implemented suggestions from users, including support for subtitles, ISO image creation, and DVD to DVD/Blu-ray conversion.{{cite web|url=http://www.betanews.com/article/Pssst-want-to-copy-a-Bluray-disc-Freemake-Video-Converter-21-is-for-you/1297714024|title=Pssst, want to copy a Blu-ray disc? Freemake Video Converter 2.1 is for you|last=Peers|first=Nick|date=14 February 2011|work=Betanews|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216152934/http://www.betanews.com/article/Pssst-want-to-copy-a-Bluray-disc-Freemake-Video-Converter-21-is-for-you/1297714024|archive-date=16 February 2011}} With version 2.3 (earlier 2.2 Beta), support for DXVA has been added to accelerate conversion (up to 50% for HD content).{{cite web

|url = http://www.freemake.com/news/freemake_speeds_up_video_conversion_with_dxva_technology

|title = Freemake speeds up video conversion with DXVA technology

|work = Freemake

|date = 26 May 2011

}}

Version 3.0 added HTML5 video creation support and new presets for smartphones.{{cite web|url=http://betanews.com/2011/11/30/freemake-video-converter-3-supports-html5-smartphones/|title=Freemake Video Converter 3 supports HTML5, smartphones|last=Peers|first=Nick|date=30 November 2011|work=Betanews|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201043029/http://betanews.com/2011/11/30/freemake-video-converter-3-supports-html5-smartphones/|archive-date=1 December 2011}}

Version 4.0 (introduced in April 2013) added a freemium "Gold Pack" of extra features that can be added if a "donation" is paid.{{cite web

|url = http://www.softwarecrew.com/2013/03/freemake-video-converter-4-0-acts-as-spur-for-gold-pack-add-on/

|title = Freemake Video Converter 4.0 acts as spur for Gold Pack add-on

|access-date = 29 April 2013

|archive-date = 2 August 2014

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140802082925/http://www.softwarecrew.com/2013/03/freemake-video-converter-4-0-acts-as-spur-for-gold-pack-add-on/

|url-status = dead

}} Starting with version 4.0.4, released on 27 August 2013, the program adds a promotional watermark at the end of every video longer than 5 minutes unless Gold Pack is activated. Version 4.1.9, released on 25 November 2015 added support for drag-and-drop functions that were not available in prior versions.

Since at least version 4.1.9.44 (1 May 2017), the Freemake Welcome Screen is added at the beginning of the video, and the big Freemake logo is watermarked in the center of the whole video.{{[https://www.allvideo9.com/ HD Video]|date=December 2019}} This decreases the quality of free outputs, and users are forced to pay money to remove the watermark or stop using it.{{According to whom|date=December 2019}} Version 4.1.9.31 (11 August 2016) does not have this restriction.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

File:Freemake loading Screen.JPG

Licensing issues

FFmpeg has added Freemake Video Converter v1.3 to its Hall of Shame.{{cite web

|title=Hall of Shame

|url=http://www.ffmpeg.org/shame.html

|work=FFmpeg.org

|accessdate=11 May 2011

}} An issue tracker entry for this product, opened on 16 December 2010, says it is in violation of the GNU General Public License as it is distributing components of the FFmpeg project without including due credit. Ellora Assets Corporation has not responded yet.{{Cite web|title=Is Freemake Video Converter Free? The Latest Version?|url=https://www.winxdvd.com/windows-10/is-freemake-video-converter-free.htm}}

Bundled software from sponsors

Since version 4.0{{Citation needed|date = September 2014}}, Freemake Video Converter's installer includes a potentially unwanted search toolbar from Conduit as well as SweetPacks malware.{{cite web

|title = Installs Conduit Search and SweetPacks |url=http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/freemake_video_converter.html|accessdate = 13 June 2014}}

Although users can decline the software during installation, the opt-out option is rendered in gray, which could mistakenly give the impression that it's disabled.http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/620/753/original.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=March 2022}}{{Unreliable source?|date=December 2019}}