Convert AVI to captions

Create accessible closed captions from your AVI videos. Bring legacy content into compliance with modern accessibility requirements.

Free to start — no credit card required.See pricing

ADA compliant
5-min turnaround
Accessible
AVI conversion guide

Create captions from AVI in 6 steps

  1. 1
    Create account~30 sec

    Sign up for a free Sonix trial with 30 free minutes.

  2. 2
    Upload file~1 min

    Upload your AVI file from your computer or cloud storage.

    44+ formats supported
  3. 3
    Select language~10 sec

    Select the language spoken in your file.

    54+ languages
  4. 4
    Auto-transcribe~5 min

    Sonix AI transcribes your AVI with word-level timestamps.

  5. 5
    Edit captions~2 min

    Fine-tune timing and formatting for accessibility.

  6. 6
    Export~10 sec

    Download your closed captions as SRT or VTT files.

    30+ export formats
The AVI file format

Understanding AVI files

What is a AVI file?

Classic Windows video format with broad compatibility

The .AVI file (also known as an Audio Video Interleave file) is a very popular video format with both audio and video usually stored in an uncompressed format. The AVI video file was first developed by Microsoft in 1992 and for a long time was the standard video format for Windows machines. AVI files are a multimedia container format that stores audio and video using a variety of codecs; popular codecs with high compression ratios were DivX and XviD.
AVI files can be compressed, but typically they use less compression and are larger than many other popular video formats like MOV and MPEG. AVI files can be created without any compression and results in a “lossless AVI file.” These lossless AVI files have really large filesizes (can range between 2-3GB per minute of video). However, a lossless AVI file will not lose quality overtime and allows for playback without requiring any codecs to be installed on the user’s computer.

Common uses for AVI files

  • Video editing projects
  • Archive footage
  • Windows video playback
  • Legacy video content
  • Windows video cameras
  • Screen recording software
  • Video editing exports
  • Archive collections

Who works with AVI files?

Digitization services, broadcast librarians, and media archivists frequently handle AVI when restoring tape-era footage, and security teams often receive AVI exports from CCTV and DVR systems. It also persists in research labs and industrial settings where older capture hardware and analysis software still write AVI by default.

AVI vs MP4: which should you use?

AVI is a RIFF-based container Microsoft introduced in 1992, while MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a newer international standard designed around efficient codecs like H.264 video and AAC audio. AVI files are typically larger because they favor older or lighter compression, and the format has weaker support for streaming, chapters, and subtitle tracks than MP4. AVI makes sense for legacy Windows workflows and preserving existing archival footage, while MP4 is the better choice for sharing, web playback, and mobile devices.

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53+
Languages
Captions in any language
30+
Export formats
SRT, VTT, and TTML
AVI conversion FAQ

AVI captions: frequently asked questions

What's the difference between captions and subtitles for AVI?

Captions include speaker identification and sound descriptions (music, applause, door closing) for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Subtitles assume the viewer can hear and focus on translating dialogue.

Can I make old AVI archives ADA compliant?

Yes! Sonix generates captions meeting ADA and Section 508 requirements. Add speaker labels and sound descriptions to bring legacy content into compliance.

Can I add sound descriptions to AVI captions?

Yes! After transcription, add non-speech descriptions like [music playing], [door closes], or [applause] in Sonix's editor for fully accessible captions.

How do I create closed captions for archived AVI training videos?

Upload your AVI, transcribe with Sonix, add speaker labels, then export to your required caption format. Perfect for bringing legacy training content into compliance.

What caption format works for institutional AVI archives?

SRT is most universal for archives. For broadcast or specific compliance needs, export to TTML formats which meet FCC requirements.

How accurate are AI-generated captions from old AVI?

Accuracy depends primarily on audio quality, not file age. Clear audio in AVI files transcribes at 99%+ accuracy. Review and correct any errors for professional results.

Do I need to convert my AVI file to MP4 before transcribing it?

No. AVI files can be uploaded directly; the audio track is extracted and transcribed regardless of which video codec the file uses.

Why is my AVI file so large?

AVI files often use little or no compression, and fully uncompressed AVI can occupy multiple gigabytes per minute of video. Re-encoding to a modern container like MP4 reduces the file size considerably if you need to move or store the footage.

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