Free online DVR-MS to XVID converter

Media players, editors, and older devices that support the Xvid codec may not open Microsoft Media Center recordings in DVR-MS format. Converting the recording creates a more widely supported AVI file, but it requires decoding the original video and encoding it again with Xvid.

What the DVR-MS format is

DVR-MS is a Microsoft container used primarily by Windows Media Center to record television broadcasts. It normally contains Windows Media Video and Windows Media Audio streams, along with recording metadata such as broadcast information and time-shifting data.

You may encounter DVR-MS files on computers running Windows XP Media Center, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 Media Center, especially in recorded-TV folders. Some recordings contain copy-protection restrictions. Protected files may be playable only through authorized Microsoft software and cannot be converted by FFmpeg or an online converter.

What the Xvid format is

Xvid is an MPEG-4 Part 2 video codec, not a container by itself. Xvid video is commonly stored in an AVI file, so a conversion normally produces an .avi file containing Xvid video and MP3 audio.

Xvid is useful for older televisions, standalone DVD players, media players, and editing applications that support MPEG-4 Part 2 or AVI but do not support DVR-MS. It can produce substantially smaller files than uncompressed video, although newer H.264 or H.265 codecs generally provide better quality at the same bitrate.

How to convert DVR-MS to Xvid

Using FFmpeg on a computer

Install an FFmpeg build that includes the libxvid video encoder and libmp3lame audio encoder. Check the input first:

ffprobe "recording.dvr-ms"

Encode the recording as Xvid video in an AVI container with MP3 audio:

ffmpeg -i "recording.dvr-ms" -c:v libxvid -q:v 4 -tag:v XVID -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 128k "recording-xvid.avi"

The -q:v 4 setting uses quality-based Xvid encoding; values from 1 to 6 usually give good results, with lower values producing larger files and higher quality. For a fixed target size, replace it with a bitrate such as -b:v 1200k.

Television recordings are often interlaced. If the output shows comb-like horizontal lines during motion, deinterlace while encoding:

ffmpeg -i "recording.dvr-ms" -vf yadif -c:v libxvid -q:v 4 -tag:v XVID -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 128k "recording-xvid.avi"

Do not add yadif when the source is progressive, because unnecessary deinterlacing can reduce detail. FFmpeg normally preserves the source dimensions and aspect ratio; verify the result in the target player because some older AVI devices handle non-square pixels incorrectly.

Using the online converter

You can convert the file for free on 101convert.com without installing software. Upload the DVR-MS file, choose XVID as the output format, start the conversion, and download the generated file. The service cannot bypass DRM or other copy-protection restrictions, and very large recordings may be limited by upload time or file-size restrictions.

Quality and compatibility limitations

Conversion is a lossy process because the DVR-MS video is decoded and compressed again. Keep the original DVR-MS file if it is legally and technically usable, and avoid resizing unless the destination device requires a particular resolution.

AVI/Xvid compatibility varies by device. A conservative profile is Xvid video with MP3 audio, 4:3 or 16:9 dimensions, and a standard frame rate matching the source. Some older players reject Xvid files with variable frame rate, unusual audio sampling rates, high resolutions, or advanced MPEG-4 features.

If FFmpeg reports that it cannot decode the file, test the recording in Windows Media Player or Windows Media Center. A DRM-protected DVR-MS file must first be obtained in an unprotected, playable form; changing the filename extension does not remove protection or convert the streams.