The interface opens with large, colorful icons: Video, Audio, Picture, DVD/CD, and Advanced.
Click "Stop" and then "Resume" later – version 3.6.0 supports pause/resume. Common Issues & Troubleshooting Even a stable build has quirks. Here are fixes for the most frequent problems in 3.6.0: 1. "Codec not found" error Cause: Missing system codecs (e.g., for FLV or RMVB). Fix: Download and install K-Lite Codec Pack Basic before running Format Factory. 2. Out of sync audio after conversion Cause: Variable Frame Rate (VFR) source video. Fix: Before conversion, go to Options (gear icon) → Select "Same as Source" for FPS. Alternatively, remux first using the "Advanced" → "Remux" tool. 3. Cannot convert protected iTunes files (M4P) Expected behavior: Version 3.6.0 does NOT break DRM. You must burn the iTunes song to a CD and re-rip it. 4. Windows 10/11 "SmartScreen" block Solution: Click "More info" → "Run anyway." The file is safe; the warning appears because the software lacks a modern EV certificate. Performance Benchmarks: 3.6.0 vs. Modern Converters Test environment: Intel i5-8265U (4c/8t), 8GB RAM, Windows 10. Source file: 2-hour 1080p MKV (H264, 8GB). Target: 720p MP4 (H264, 2000 kbps).
| Component | Requirement | | :--- | :--- | | | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (32/64-bit) | | CPU | Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP (1.5 GHz) | | RAM | 256 MB (512 MB recommended) | | Storage | 80 MB for installation + temporary space for conversion | | DirectX | DirectX 9.0c or higher |
Click "Add File" (or drag-and-drop). A preview window will show the video’s codec, resolution, duration, and audio tracks.
| Software | Conversion Time | CPU Usage | Output File Size | Quality (VMAF Score) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Format Factory 3.6.0 | 18 minutes | 85% | 1.8 GB | 93/100 | | Format Factory 5.2.0 | 22 minutes | 92% | 1.9 GB | 94/100 | | HandBrake 1.6.0 | 15 minutes | 98% | 1.7 GB | 96/100 | | Any Video Converter Free | 25 minutes | 70% | 2.1 GB | 88/100 |
Click "OK" → Click "Start" at the top of the main window. A progress bar shows estimated time remaining (typically 10-30 minutes for a 2GB movie on an i5 processor).
