Encoding vs converting?

[Chamber005]

Just wondering what the difference is between these two terminologies. People here speak alot about encoding files, but rarely ever speak of converting. Are they talking about the same thing? E.g. taking AVCHD footage to MPEG4 or MOV? Is that considered encoding as well as converting?

 

[Cassius]

Technically, but not really. Generally encoding is when you're taking your base format and exporting as something, converting implies you have an exported format already (an entire video in some format, not just in the editing program) and want it changed to something else. Both of those are encoding and would probably be called that on occasion, but converting is different than exporting your video since you aren't starting with a complete file. I didn't say that very well, hopefully my point's getting across.