So I'm heading off to a family vacation soonish, and I'd like to load some video on my ipad, but most of the movies I have are .avi and I need to convert them to .MP4.. Can anyone suggest a good reliable program for windows that'll do what I need? Because apparently googling avi to mp4 converter just gives you a laundry list of malware and scam programs.

So can anyone help me out and point me in the right direction?

I've been using Any Video Converter, and it works well

http://www.any-video-converter.com/prod ... ideo_free/

I downloaded my free version last year, and didn't have any problems with it. Beware, I've been noticing recently, that even if you use CNET for so called "secure" downloads, I've had issues with Trojans and Malware, but my VIPER software was able to completely remove the yuckies.

Ive been using this one for a year so and it works great. Hassle free download also.

http://handbrake.fr/

If u use VLC for ios or Gplayer you should be able to play any video u download on your ipad. Its a lot easier using a third party app than converting all ur files. Sometimes certain videos will have audio issues due to codecs but id say its 1/10 at worst

+1 for Handbrake, I believe they have .mp4 conversion settings for apple specific devices...

it also does .mkv conversion really well but I haven't touched that format since the SC9800 era.

Mkv's are my biggest issue, only format my TV wont play. most BRRips or 720p TV rips i download are mkv. For some devices u can jist change the file extension from .mkv to .mp4 and trick em but not my Vizio
I have this mp4 converter for mac but doesnt effing work and takes forever: i totally forgot about handbrakde & I def need to download it again!!

Handbrake. It has built-in presets for Apple products, and will convert pretty much anything you throw at it.