Generic File Converter

Generic File Converter provides an all-in-one tool for converting between various file formats. Its main advantage is related to its extended support for a plethora of file types, which makes it possible for users to go to a single application when it comes to converting images, videos, audio and other files, instead of downloading and installing several applications.

The file formats that Generic File Converter supports is quite impressive, comprising more destination file types than source ones. To mention a few audio types, the application can work with AVI, AAC, FLAC, MOV, MP3, MP2, WAV, OGG, PCM files, and more. The supported video formats include FLV and MPEG files (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4), as well as WMV, RealVideo, and QuickTime. As for the image formats, it can convert BMP, PNG, JPEG/JPG, and TIFF files.

Working with Generic File Converter should not pose difficulties to anyone. The main window is split into two separate panels, one for hosting the source files, and the other for displaying the output. The application supports drag and drop actions but, on the downside, once users drop one or more files, the previous list is automatically cleared, which is quite annoying. To build a list of source files located in different folders, they must use the "Open" button.

To be able to convert files in batch, users must select formats of the same type, as Generic File Converter only allows the selection of a single output format. In other words, it is impossible for Generic File Converter to convert images to an audio or a video format.

Generic File Converter converts all the files in the input list one by one, saving the output in the same location as the original. It is not possible to select the target destination, which is another of the application's drawbacks.

The idea behind Generic File Converter is good and, while the application works as promised, there are a few functionality-related disadvantages that alter the overall user experience. Aside from a revamped interface style, Generic File Converter would need to enhance its drag and drop support, and its capability to choose an output type for each input file.