Movie to Gif is a simple free tool for converting chunks of videos to animated GIFs,

The program has a clear interface which has all the controls you need on a single pane. You're able to open your source videos (all the main formats seem to be supported), set the start and end frames for the section you'd like to convert, and configure your GIF size, frame rate and number of colours.

When you're finished, click "Save as GIF", Movie to Gif renders the file, and you're able to view it within a few seconds.

Movie to Gif delivered some impressive results in our tests. Just keep in mind that the default settings are optimised for file size, rather than quality, and for example will use only 64 colours. If your animation has lots of colour banding then increase this setting first.

The program could be improved in a few ways. We'd like an option to control looping. You should be able to preview your selection before converting it to GIF. And after saving the animation, it would be helpful if the program had an option to play it, or at least open the folder; instead you must locate and view the file yourself.

Please note, Movie to Gif tries to install additional software along with its own code. To avoid this, pay attention during setup and decline the "offer" when it appears.