How to Convert Video to MP3
For Free
Conversion Software - How ToVideo
Danielle Chapman * July 2, 2018
For
lovers of soundtracks and sound effects, here are some free downloads
of MP3 converter software for PC or Mac, to enable you to convert video
to MP3 audio
Among the more consistently popular free downloads of software for PC or Mac is the MP3 converter – a utility that enables you to convert digital video to MP3 audio. In this article, we’ve assembled three of the best – all of them available as free downloads from FileHippo.
Why Convert Video to MP3?
The process of converting files from one digital format to another is known as transcoding. It can happen within a class of file (saving a text document from Rich Text Format (RTF) to a Microsoft Word DOCX file, for example), but can also take place across different media types. For example, you might want to extract all the embedded graphics files from a PDF.
Many people perform this task because of compatibility concerns. If you have a collection of documents or media that were created on a platform which is not very widely used anymore, using converter software can transform these files into a format which you can play or read on your present device.
There are lots of different kinds of software for transcoding media. These include audio converters, media players, CD and DVD burning applications, media managers, and dedicated ripping software. But transcoding
also makes it possible to use content from one medium in another. Using
an MP3 converter, pictures and sound together (i.e. video) can be
transformed to just sound (MP3 audio). And these sounds may then be
stored and used in several different ways.
Collecting Sound Effects
MP3 converter software usually contains tools for marking out and
extracting audio from specific clips of a movie or video file. So, if
there’s a sound effect that you like, it’s possible to snip this out and
convert it from video to MP3.
Sound effect clips created in this manner may then be used in several
ways. If you’re a sound engineer or video editor, they can be collected
as a library and used in your projects. They’re also a great way to
jazz up your Windows sound schemes or create new ones from scratch.
Snipping Out Quotes and Dialogue
Video to MP3 converters can also be used to extract sound clips of
your favourite quotes or complete pieces of dialogue from a film, TV
show, or video presentation. You can quickly build up a library of the
best cinematic speeches in the world, in a file format that doesn’t take
up as much space on your hard drive as the complete video files.
You can use these clips in your audio and video creations or, again, as additions to your desktop sound schemes.
Collecting Soundtracks and Incidental Music
Using software to convert video to MP3 makes it easy to create audio
files of your favourite movie soundtracks or incidental music – again,
without having to store the entire film on your device.
If you intend to use these clips in publicly distributed media
(presentations, free downloads for your website visitors, etc.) you’ll
have to exercise some caution and due diligence with regard to copyright protected material and intellectual property.
Creating Your Own Music and Films
You know all those sometimes (often) annoying fan-made videos on
YouTube? They are frequently the early stages in the development of
emerging film-makers, and video to MP3 conversion software gives these
budding Spielbergs a chance to insert professional-quality sound
effects, dialogue, and music into their films. Likewise, aspiring
musicians can use borrowed audio clips for adding samples to their
latest mixes.
However, unsanctioned use of these audio clips and soundtracks is
often the reason why so many of these videos don’t last more than a day
or so before YouTube takes them down. It’s also a bone of contention
(and basis for many lawsuits) in the music business, so proceed with
caution.
Making Audio Books
Video to MP3 conversion is also a great way to transcribe video
lectures, presentations, and book readings into a more portable form. In
this way, audio books and recorded speeches can be stored on mobile
devices and listened to at leisure or packaged up as a podcast.
Free Downloads of MP3 Converter Software for PC and Mac
If the above has sold you on the concept of video to MP3 conversion,
then you’ve come to the right place, as FileHippo hosts a selection of
software for transcoding video into MP3.
Here are three of the best.
Voilabits TubeConverter for Mac
Voilabits TubeConverter for Mac (Image Source: Voilabits)
Voilabits TubeConverter
for Mac describes itself as the “ultimate video download solution to
download SD & HD (including 1080p and 4K) videos from all popular
websites.” Version 4.2.0 can convert video to over 290 different formats
– so you’re reasonably sure to find one that’s compatible with your
favourite digital player.
Using the software, you can easily covert YouTube videos to MP3, WMA,
WAV, and M4A. Playback of the audio may then be enjoyed on Apple TV,
iPhone, iPad, QuickTime, Android, Xbox, Samsung, Windows Phone,
Blackberry, and many other players.
Streaming video may be downloaded by dragging and dropping the
YouTube thumbnail image onto the Voilabits interface or copying its web
address into a text box. Multiple simultaneous downloads are possible,
and there are a range of tweaking tools for perfecting the output.
YouTube and over 50 other streaming media websites are covered by the
software.
Voilabits TubeConverter for Mac is distributed as shareware, so you
can try before you buy, or keep for free, albeit with a limited set of
features. You can upgrade to the full version to access all the features
for under $30.00.
Free Video to MP3 Converter
With the Free Video to MP3 Converter
from DVDVideoSoft, you can extract audio from movie files and convert
video to MP3 or WAV Lossless Audio. Sound files may be saved in High,
Standard, or Economy mode, and the software can also handle high-quality
sound formats including OGG, FLAC, and APE.
Ease of use is central to the package, and Free Video to MP3
Converter lets you choose files from a browsing window, drag and drop,
or right-click-to-add, and change output names. The software takes a
snapshot image from the middle of the video and adds title tags and
artwork automatically, which can be viewed on iTunes, Winamp, or in
Windows Explorer.
Free Video to MP3 Converter ships as freeware, but the executable
includes options to also install certain third-party products or
tool-bars, so exercise caution when installing.
Free YouTube to MP3 Converter
With claims of over seven million downloads, Free YouTube to MP3 Converter
enables users to download YouTube videos and convert them to MP3 or
other audio formats, without losses in quality of the original sound.
Audio streams may be encoded with Insane and Extreme MP3 quality
profiles, as well as AAC, OGG, M4A, plus FLAC, and WAV lossless audio.
There are Windows and Mac versions of the software.
One of the strong selling points of Free YouTube to MP3 Converter is
its ability to convert entire YouTube play-lists and channels, in a
single operation. To use the program, simply copy the web address of the
video you want to download, paste it into the text box, choose your
output format, click on the download button, and let it do its thing.
Titles, tags, and artwork associated with your file conversions are
added automatically, and may be viewed with iTunes, Winamp, or Windows
Explorer. Converted MP3s may also be added to iTunes playlists
automatically. The free version is limited, but you can upgrade to
premium to unlock all benefits.
FileHippo
Whether you’re looking to convert video to MP3 as a music and film
specialist, occasional dabbler, or someone who just likes to hear the
occasional bit of dialogue from a favourite movie, you’ll find MP3
converter software for PC and Mac, and a host of other free downloads,
right here at FileHippo.