All about WMV files
The .wmv file format (Windows Media Video) is a proprietary video format developed by Microsoft. It was developed in the late 1990s and is closely linked to the ASF (Advanced Streaming Format) container format. On Windows systems, WMV files can usually be opened without any problems using Windows Media Player; on macOS and Linux, VLC is usually able to open the files.
For optimal compatibility, however, it is recommended to convert WMV to MP4.
Codecs and variants
WMV comprises several codec variants:[1][2]
| Codec | Released | Features |
|---|---|---|
| WMV7 (WMV1) | 1999 | First version, based on MPEG-4 Part 2 |
| WMV8 (WMV2) | ~2000 | Improved compression and image quality |
| WMV9 (WMV3/VC-1) | 2003 | HD support, interlaced video, standardised as SMPTE 421M in 2006 |
| WMV Screen | 1999 | Optimised for screen recordings and screencasts |
| WMV Image | 1999 | For video slideshows with transition effects |
WMV files, particularly those using older codecs, can usually be significantly reduced in size using our video compression tool. If MP4 is selected as the target format during compression, compatibility with other systems and software is also significantly improved.
Sources
About the Windows Media Codecs – Microsoft Learn
Windows Media 9 Video Codec; SMPTE VC-1 – Library of Congress
Convert, open and edit WMV files
Details about WMV files
- Software for opening WMV files
- VLC media player
- Windows Media Player
- PotPlayer
- MPV
- Software for editing WMV files
- DaVinci Resolve
- Handbrake
- FFmpeg
- MIME-type for WMV
- video/x-ms-wmv
No Comments