GOM Encoder 2.0.2.0

Overview

GOM Video Converter is a fully-featured video conversion software that supports many file formats and has an easy to use interface. With it you can enjoy watching your videos in your portable devices (e.g. iPhone, iPod, iPad, smart phone, video game console, etc.) without much hassle, as well as edit them using the built-in functions. This means you can resize, crop and rotate your videos before sending them directly to your devices from within the program.

Installation

The installation procedure isn’t very difficult, but you do have to make a few configurations though. First of all, when you run the installer you’ll be asked whether you want to install the Full version or the Trial version. If you have already purchased a license key then you can select the Full version; but if you want to try out the program, then select the Trial version. In the next step you will be presented with a list of available components from which you have to choose the ones you would like to install. Those include basic codecs (WMV codec, AAC Codec, IPP Run-Time and MPEG codec) and shortcuts. One step afterwards you will be prompted to install Zynga Poker, and a couple of steps ahead the main installation procedure will start.

Some antivirus programs might pickup GOM Video Converter as harmful, but it’s just a false positive so don’t worry - see report.

The program can run smoothly under Windows XP (SP2 or above), Vista, 7 and 8.

Interface

When you run the program for the first time you’ll be asked to choose an output setting first, meaning you have to pick one of the preset output profiles and apply it. This can be changed later from the Presets menu.

The interface itself has a black background and modern graphics/buttons which have shadows and are nicely-ordered. At the top of the window is a bar with news regarding the program, and below is a list of added videos. Below the file list are two boxes which display information about the selected source file and output file respectively. Then, at the bottom of the window is a field where you can change the output folder.

Pros

There are countless preset profiles you can choose from and convert your videos using them. You don’t have to manually make the settings yourself and waste time trying to figure out the best combination of them in order for smooth playback. However, advanced users can take a look at the settings menu and tweak loads of configurations if they wish.

The program’s enhanced functionality enables you to not only convert videos but edit them too. You can crop and resize them, take a snapshot or extract only the audio. Moreover, you can synchronize manually the audio, subtitles and adjust gain.

Cons

A list of known bugs and issues can be found in near the bottom of this page: http://converter.gomlab.com/eng/overview/specifications.gom.

Alternatives

Lots of good video converters with a satisfying number of features exist in the interweb, such as: HandBrake (free), Freemake Video Converter (free), Format Factory (free), SUPER © (free) and Any Video Converter (free).

Conclusion

Neat video converter with not many bugs. It is also lightweight and can be used by both novices and experienced users.