Free all-purpose video converter, player, and editor
Total Video Converter is an all-in-one piece of video converting and editing software. You can use Total Video Converter to easily convert your video files between a plethora of different formats.
Once you've finished converting, you can edit your creations and view the finished product before burning it to a CD or DVD. You can also export your videos for upload to YouTube, or transfer them between your devices. TVC aims to be the one-stop-shop for all of your video editing and converting needs.
What is the use of TVC?
Though it does offer additional features, TVC is first and foremost a video converter. Using a simple drag-and-drop feature, you can quickly queue videos to be converted between a huge list of supported video and audio file formats so you can move them between any device from your iPod to your game console.
Supported formats include AVI, FLV, WMV, 3GP, VOB, and MP4, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Another major plus is the ability to support subtitle file formats like .ssa. This makes it easy to take down the language barrier and watch videos in any language with subtitles of your choosing.
The extensive list of supported formats is easily one of TVC's best selling points. It's on par with other major converters like Format Factory, but TVC aims to get a leg up on the competition by going beyond simply converting files.
Is Total Video Converter free?
Offered by EffectMatrix, Total Video Converter is available in both free and paid versions. The free version offers a pared-down version of the software. Buying the full version allows you to access all of TVC's extensive features, and it certainly is an extensive list.
How do I use TVC?
Past the simple conversion tools, TVC offers a host of other features with the intention of turning TVC into an all-in-one video editor. Gamers can use TVC's ensuite screenshot tool to quickly grab and edit screenshots while playing, or record gameplay and instantly convert the video into a variety of formats.
In addition, you can access a suite of basic editing tools to put the finishing touches on your creations. These tools include slideshow effects that you can use for photos and videos, as well as standard clipping and splicing tools.
It's important to note that any videos edited in the free version of TVC will include a watermark that can't be removed unless you buy the full version. However, you may want to think twice before you spend money on the upgrade.
Buggy and outdated
Unfortunately, Total Video Converter has far more flaws than it does positive aspects. More than anything else, the software feels outdated. Though it does offer a variety of video formats, it doesn't offer some more modern ones.
For example, while it can convert videos on iOS and Android smartphones, it doesn't support video file formats for current-generation game consoles like PS4/Xbox One. It also still offers video conversions for the now-defunct PSP, which went out of production several years ago.
The interface itself looks like it belongs on a Windows 2000 OS than on any modern computer. Buttons feel unresponsive, and often glitch out and disappear altogether, making the program hard to use unless you want to restart entirely.
The editing tools in particular are riddled with issues. Foremost among them is that the program will frequently crash when trying to use the editing features, making this aspect of the program essentially useless. If you do prefer to use TVC to convert your video files, you may want to consider editing them in a separate dedicated program or app like Wondershare.
Overall, it feels like TVC is trying to do far too much, and as a result, doesn't do anything particularly well. When it does work, TVC is great for quickly converting your videos, but it's hard to justify it when there are better and more up-to-date conversion and editing programs to choose from.
Ambitious premise, poor execution
On paper, Total Video Converter sounds like an excellent piece of software. However, in practice, it's anything but.
Though TVC does offer some great features, they're overshadowed by the frustrating interface, consistent bugs, and frequent crashes. If you're looking for a video converter, you'll probably have better luck with a program like Format Factory or Wondershare. Both offer similar features without the issues.
Total Video Converter has gone some time without receiving any updates. With that said, the most recent version adds new skins and an Internet Explorer integration.
