Can't get CUDA video conversion working

(I'm not entirely sure if this should go under GPU or Windows, if it's in the wrong forum, my apologies)

I'm trying to convert a batch of mp4 and mkv movies to avi format so I can watch them on a PS3 at my girlfriend's place. I've tried several different pieces of video conversion software, but none of them recognize my computer as having CUDA capability.

I currently have installed: Freemake Video Converter and Free CUDA Video Converter 7.

GPU-Z shows CUDA being available, and BOINC will happily crunch away using CUDA if I let it, so the drivers seem to be installed correctly, but I'm at a bit of a loss for why these pieces of software won't enable to the function.

Windows 7 Pro
GTX 660ti, 340.52 drivers

Initially I thought maybe the software packages were getting confused because I had a 750ti and a 660ti in the same rig, but I removed the 750ti and am still having the same problem. Any thoughts on this? Is it just poorly programmed software or is there something else I might try to get CUDA video processing available? Perhaps another video conversion product?

Did you install the CUDA toolkit?

Note sure, actually. Is it required? Like I said, I can run CUDA-based BOINC projects and I can run CUDA-based cryptocurrency alogos, so installing the toolkit never even occurred to me. Is it required for programs like this? I do have "NVIDIA Tools Extension SDK (NVTX) - 64 bit" installed, but I don't think that's the actual full toolkit.

Grab this and install it just to make sure

https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-downloads

No dice, both applications still say CUDA isn't available. Very strange. And aggravating, a QX9650 isn't exactly known for speedy video conversions.

JeremyCT said:

No dice, both applications still say CUDA isn't available. Very strange. And aggravating, a QX9650 isn't exactly known for speedy video conversions.

Click to expand...

Do either of those softwares have a forum? Might be worth asking there if they do.

I believe Handbrake has CUDA capabilities, you could give it a shot as well.

Freemake: First CUDA-Supported Free Video Converter


CUDA & DXVA Easily Explained Freemake Blog

Pic very near bottom of page at that link above shows how author said to enable
CUDA.
RGone...

Hi, I got a cuda video converter several months ago, it works well for me. It is the free video converter that my friend share with me.

Use this instead, free, highly customizable and you don't need to install 3rd party stuffs, does almost all video types including h264/h265 and CUDA - Xmedia Recode - https://www.xmedia-recode.de/en/download.html

Pazera has a bunch of free converters:
http://www.pazera-software.com/
mkv-avi, and mp4-avi among others. Haven't used them lately. I use mkvtoolnix mostly.
I was playing with TEncoder myself testing h265 output with some vids but it kept crashing on std size video files (from h264).
https://www.fosshub.com/TEncoder-Video-Converter.html (skins and portable)
FYI, the same guy makes an audio encoder which is super fast (my new goto).
There's also this one which is somewhat of an all in wonder-not just x265's. I wasn't patient enough... I don't know.
https://x265.github.io/