Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

HQMX Converter is a free online file conversion tool that supports 61 file formats and 787 conversion combinations. We offer a hybrid architecture that intelligently routes conversions between client-side (browser) and server-side processing to optimize speed, privacy, and quality.

Yes, HQMX Converter is completely free with no file limits or conversion limits. Our service is supported by non-intrusive advertisements. We believe everyone should have access to powerful file conversion tools without paywalls.

HQMX uses an ad-supported business model to maintain our free service. Advertisements help us cover server hosting and development expenses. We carefully select advertising partners to ensure a balance between user experience and revenue sustainability.

HQMX Converter supports 61 file formats across 5 categories:

• Video (11 formats): MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, WebM, FLV, WMV, M4V, 3GP, MPEG, OGV
• Audio (10 formats): MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, OGG, M4A, WMA, OPUS, AIFF, AC3
• Image (22 formats): JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, HEIC, AVIF, SVG, BMP, TIFF, ICO, PSD, TGA, plus 8 Camera RAW formats (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF, RW2)
• Document (12 formats): PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, TXT, RTF, ODT, ODS, ODP
• Archive (6 formats): ZIP, TAR, GZ, BZ2, XZ, 7Z

Total: 787 conversion combinations including cross-category conversions.

HQMX Converter has the following file size limits:

• Browser Conversion: Up to 2GB (limited by browser memory and technology constraints)
• Server Conversion: Up to 2.5GB (limited by server storage capacity)
• Recommended: For files over 100MB, server conversion is automatically selected for optimal performance.

Yes! HQMX Converter supports 8 professional camera RAW formats (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAF, ORF, RW2) for read-only conversion to standard image formats. You can convert RAW files to JPG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, and other common formats. Note: Conversion from standard formats back to RAW is not supported due to technical limitations.

Your privacy is our priority:

• Client-Side Conversion: For small files (<10MB images), conversion happens entirely in your browser using FFmpeg.wasm. Your files never leave your device.
• Automatic File Deletion: Files uploaded to our server for conversion are automatically deleted after 1 hour using node-cron scheduler.
• No Account Required: We don't require registration or store user data beyond the temporary conversion period.
• HTTPS Encryption: All data transmission is encrypted using SSL/TLS.

Yes! HQMX offers flexible conversion options:

• Automatic (Recommended): Our smart routing system automatically selects the fastest method based on file size, format, and network speed.
• Manual Override: Use the "Convert on Server" checkbox to manually select server-side conversion.
• Privacy Priority: If you prioritize privacy, small files will default to client-side conversion whenever possible.

Client-Side Conversion:

• Happens in your browser using FFmpeg.wasm (WebAssembly)
• No file upload required—maximum privacy
• Best for small files (<10MB images, audio)
• Limited by browser memory (~2GB)

Server-Side Conversion:

• Uses powerful dedicated servers
• Significantly faster conversion speed with professional engines
• Best for large files (100MB+ videos, documents)
• Parallel processing: multiple files simultaneously

HQMX's smart routing system minimizes total conversion time by considering:

• Upload Time: Measured based on your network speed
• Conversion Time: Server is 3x faster for videos, variable for images
• Download Time: Based on output file size and network speed
• Server Load: If queue wait time exceeds 30 seconds, automatic fallback to client-side

Example: For a 100MB MP4 to AVI conversion, server (upload 20s + convert 60s + download 10s = 90s) is faster than client (convert 180s).

HQMX provides real-time progress tracking:

• Client-Side: FFmpeg progress events parsed in real-time (out_time_us based)
• Server-Side: Timemark-based calculation (current duration / total duration × 100)
• Batch Conversions: Dashboard shows individual file progress and overall completion
• Polling Interval: Progress updates every 1 second via /api/progress/{jobId}

Conversion speed varies by file size, format, and conversion method:

• Small Images (<10MB): Instant (1-5 seconds) with client-side conversion
• Large Images (50MB+): 2-5 seconds with server-side conversion (Sharp engine)
• Videos (100MB): 60 seconds server-side vs 180 seconds client-side
• Documents: LibreOffice conversion typically 5-15 seconds

Yes, network speed impacts server-side conversions:

• Fast Connection (50+ Mbps): Upload/download time is minimal, server conversion is almost always optimal.
• Slow Connection (<10 Mbps): Upload time can exceed conversion time savings, client-side may be faster for small files.
• Smart Routing: HQMX automatically measures your network speed and chooses the optimal method.

HQMX supports batch conversion with intelligent queue management:

• No Limit: Upload as many files as you need for batch conversion.
• Client-Side Queue: Sequential processing (one at a time due to browser constraints).
• Server-Side Queue: Parallel processing, up to 4 files simultaneously (MAX_CONCURRENCY=4).
• Mixed Queues: Client and server queues run independently for maximum efficiency.

HQMX Converter works best on modern browsers that support WebAssembly and SharedArrayBuffer:

• Recommended: Chrome 90+, Edge 90+, Firefox 90+, Safari 15.2+
• Mobile: Chrome/Safari on iOS 15.2+, Chrome on Android 90+
• Note: Client-side conversion requires SharedArrayBuffer support. Older browsers will automatically use server-side conversion.

Common reasons for conversion failures:

• File Size Exceeded: Files larger than 2GB (browser) or 2.5GB (server) cannot be processed.
• Unsupported Format: Check if your input/output format combination is supported.
• Corrupted File: If the input file is damaged, conversion will fail.
• Browser Memory: For large client-side conversions, try using server-side or reduce file size.
• Network Issues: For server conversions, ensure stable internet connection.

Try these solutions:

• Refresh the page and clear browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R)
• Ensure your browser supports SharedArrayBuffer (check browser compatibility)
• Disable browser extensions that might interfere with WebAssembly
• Use the "Convert on Server" option instead
• Update to the latest browser version

If you encounter issues, please help us improve by reporting bugs:

• Take a screenshot of the error message or conversion failure
• Note the input file format, output format, and approximate file size
• Send the details to support@hqmx.net
• Include browser version and operating system information

We appreciate your feedback and will work to resolve issues quickly!

Currently, HQMX Converter is a web-based service only and does not offer public API access. If you're interested in API access for commercial use, please contact us at support@hqmx.net.

Yes, HQMX Converter can be used for both personal and commercial purposes. However, please review our Terms of Service for complete usage guidelines and restrictions.