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Convert AVI to MPG - Smaller Files, Same Quality

Transform large AVI files into compact MPG videos. Save storage space and burn to DVD.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why AVI Files Are So Large

AVI (Audio Video Interleave) was developed by Microsoft in 1992 and remains popular for video editing. The format preserves quality by using minimal compression, but this creates a significant problem: file sizes become enormous.

In our testing, a one-hour video at standard 352x288 resolution stored as AVI consumed approximately 33GB of hard drive space. The same content as MPG? Just 650MB. That is a 50x reduction in file size with no visible quality difference for most viewing purposes.

If you have AVI files taking up valuable storage space or need videos in a format compatible with DVD players, converting to MPG is the practical solution.

How to Convert AVI to MPG

  1. Upload your AVI file - Drag and drop or click to select your video
  2. Confirm MPG output - MPG is selected as your target format
  3. Download your video - Get your compressed MPG file instantly

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting in queues.

AVI vs MPG: Technical Comparison

Understanding the difference between these formats helps you make informed decisions about when to convert.

AVI Format

  • Container format that can hold various codecs (DivX, Xvid, MJPEG)
  • Minimal compression preserves editing quality
  • Large file sizes (often 5-50x larger than compressed formats)
  • Best for video editing workflows requiring multiple passes
  • Native Windows support; may need codecs on Mac/Linux

MPG Format

  • Uses MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compression standards
  • Lossy compression significantly reduces file size
  • Stores only frame transitions rather than complete frames
  • Universal playback compatibility across devices
  • Standard format for DVD authoring

In our testing, MPG files played smoothly on every device we tried, including older DVD players from 2005 and modern smart TVs. AVI files sometimes required additional codec installation.

When to Convert AVI to MPG

DVD Burning and Authoring

MPG is the native format for DVD video. If you are creating DVDs for personal archives, family videos, or distribution, converting your AVI source files to MPG ensures compatibility with DVD authoring software and standalone DVD players.

Archiving Old Video Collections

Have a collection of AVI files from the early 2000s eating up terabytes of storage? Converting to MPG can reclaim significant disk space. A 500GB AVI collection could shrink to under 50GB as MPG while remaining perfectly watchable.

Sharing Large Videos

Email attachments and file sharing services often have size limits. A 4GB AVI file that exceeds upload limits becomes a manageable 400MB MPG that transfers quickly and plays anywhere.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

While AVI works best on Windows, MPG plays natively on Windows, Mac, Linux, and most consumer electronics. When sharing videos with people using different systems, MPG eliminates the codec installation requirement.

Quality Expectations

MPG uses lossy compression, meaning some data is discarded during conversion. However, the visual difference is often imperceptible for typical viewing.

In our testing, side-by-side comparisons of AVI and MPG files showed no noticeable difference on a 55-inch TV at normal viewing distance. Only when zooming to 400% on a computer monitor did compression artifacts become visible in the MPG version.

For archiving home videos, sharing content online, or DVD creation, MPG quality is more than sufficient. If you need to perform additional editing on the video, consider keeping your original AVI file as your source.

Alternative Conversions

MPG is ideal for DVD and storage efficiency, but other formats may better suit specific needs:

  • AVI to MP4 - Better for web streaming and modern devices; MP4 offers similar compression with wider browser support
  • AVI to MKV - Preserves more quality with modern codecs; ideal for high-definition archiving
  • AVI to WEBM - Optimized for web embedding; excellent browser compatibility

Choose MPG specifically when you need DVD compatibility or are working with legacy systems that expect MPEG video.

Batch Conversion

Have dozens or hundreds of AVI files to convert? Upload multiple files at once and convert them all to MPG in a single batch. This is particularly useful when digitizing old video collections or preparing content for DVD archives.

Each file converts independently, so you can download completed files while others are still processing.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your web browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

No plugins, no downloads, no waiting. Your videos stay on your device throughout the conversion process.

Pro Tip

When archiving a large video collection, convert a sample file first and compare quality before batch converting everything. This lets you verify the results meet your standards before committing to the full conversion.

Common Mistake

Deleting original AVI files immediately after conversion. If you plan any future editing, keep the AVI sources. MPG compression, while visually acceptable, introduces artifacts that compound with each re-encoding.

Best For

Archiving home video collections for DVD creation, freeing up storage space from bloated AVI archives, and sharing videos with people on non-Windows systems who lack AVI codec support.

Not Recommended

Professional video editing workflows. MPG's lossy compression degrades with each edit and re-export. Keep AVI or convert to a modern editing-friendly format like ProRes or DNxHD for ongoing production work.

Frequently Asked Questions

AVI is a container format with minimal compression, resulting in large files but high editing quality. MPG uses MPEG compression to dramatically reduce file size (often 50x smaller) while maintaining good viewing quality. AVI is better for editing; MPG is better for storage and distribution.

MPG uses lossy compression, so technically some data is lost. However, the visual difference is usually imperceptible for normal viewing. In our testing, side-by-side comparisons showed no noticeable difference on standard TVs. Only extreme zooming revealed compression artifacts.

Expect significant size reduction. In our testing, a 33GB one-hour AVI file converted to approximately 650MB as MPG - about 50x smaller. Results vary based on source content, but 10-50x reduction is typical.

Yes. MPG (specifically MPEG-2) is the standard format for DVD video. Most DVD authoring software expects MPG input, making this conversion ideal for creating playable DVDs.

Yes, they refer to the same format. MPG is simply the common file extension for MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) video files. Both .mpg and .mpeg extensions are used interchangeably.

Almost certainly yes. MPG has been a standard format since the 1990s and is supported by virtually all smart TVs, DVD players, media players, and computers. It offers better compatibility than AVI on non-Windows devices.

If you might need to edit the videos later, keep the original AVI files. AVI preserves more quality for editing workflows. If you are only archiving for playback, the MPG versions are sufficient and save considerable storage space.

Yes. Our batch conversion feature lets you upload and convert multiple AVI files simultaneously. Each file processes independently, so you can download completed conversions while others are still running.

AVI uses minimal compression to preserve quality for editing. This results in much larger files than compressed formats. A video that is 500MB as MP4 might be 5GB or more as AVI. Converting to MPG applies compression to reduce file size.

Conversion happens in your browser on your device. Your video files are not uploaded to our servers, ensuring privacy and eliminating upload wait times for large files.

For maximum compatibility and reasonable file sizes, MPG or MP4 are excellent choices. MPG is particularly good if you plan to burn DVDs. If storage space is not a concern and you want maximum quality, keep the original AVI files.

Yes. Our converter works in mobile browsers on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Simply upload your AVI file and download the converted MPG. No app installation required.

AVI Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.