What is a WMV file?
WMV files, identified with a .wmv file extension, are the short name for Windows Media Video files. They're compressed with one or more video formats by Microsoft, and are saved in the Microsoft Advanced Systems Format. WMV files consist of three video codecs — WMV screen, WMV image, and the original video compression system, WMV, which is used to compress ASF videos.
WMVs support high definition (HD) video and also support encryption for use with Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems. This makes WMV a popular method for streaming films online in high quality. It also means WMV features on Blu-ray discs. Animators also use WMV to make short animations via third-party programs.
You shouldn’t confuse WMVs with WMAs. This stands for Windows Media Audio, and those files only consist of audio data, not video. However, WMA is typically the audio format used in WMV files.
History of the WMV file.
Microsoft introduced WMV files to its Windows Media framework in 1999. The WMV format was very popular in the 2000s, thanks in part to the huge reach of Windows.
In addition to becoming the default video file format for Windows Media Player, WMV files were commonly used by various media players, often bundled with Windows. Streaming services such as YouTube also allow users to upload WMV files by way of converting through third-party programs.
However, the waning popularity of Windows Media Player over the years has affected the usage of WMV files. Developers looked to create cross-platform video file formats that could rival the compression ratio of WMV.
One file type in particular, MPEG-4 Video (MP4) has become much more popular, thanks in part to the fact they run on Apple devices.
How to use WMV files.
You can use WMV files in a number of ways to play back high-quality video, audio, and text.
Streaming.
As WMV files maintain good quality after compression, they’re great for high-quality streaming. Popular streaming services such as YouTube allow WMV file uploads.
Sharing.
WMV is one of the only file formats small enough to enable you to send video via email. But it’s best to only do so if it’s a small file. You may have to send it as a ZIP file or through another compression method.
Physical formats.
WMV version 9 is adopted for physical formats, including Blu-ray, after standardization by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Physical formats are decreasing in popularity as streaming grows but Blu-ray is still popular with lovers of HD-quality movies.
Pros and cons of WMV files.
As with all file formats, there are pros and cons when it comes to using WMV files. Let’s weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of WMV.
Pros.
- Small size. WMV files can hold a large quantity of video and audio in small storage spaces. So, they’re useful if you want to stream or share online.
- Windows compatibility. WMV is the default video format for many Windows devices and is compatible with all Windows hardware and software.
- Lossless format. The video quality of WMV remains the same after compression. Its main rival, MP4, is lossy, so video quality suffers when it’s compressed.
- Convertible. Lots of third-party WMV converters are available, enabling you to convert WMV into files that are compatible with devices other than Windows.
Cons.
- Proprietary to Microsoft. One of the biggest disadvantages of WMV is the incompatibility with other operating systems. But there are ways around this, including WMV file converters and third-party media players.
- Digital rights management system (DRM). Critics of WMV often cite the DRM attached to WMV files, which can make it impossible to restore licensing information.
- Application usage. Some applications aren’t designed to work with the small size of WMV files.
Find out which codec file types are supported by Adobe Premiere
How to open a WMV file.
Here’s the two most popular ways to open WMV files, depending on your operating system and device.
To open on Windows.
- Select the Windows icon in the bottom left menu.
- A list of programs available on your system should appear.
- Scroll down the list and check if Windows Media Player is available within the ‘Windows Accessories’ folder. Or type it into the Windows Search bar.
- If you haven’t used Windows Media Player on your machine before, follow the prompts to do so.
To open on Mac.
- Open the App Store.
- Search for a Windows Media Video converter.
- Download and install a converter from the search results.
- Follow the instructions of your conversion software.
How to create and edit a WMV file.
You can create and edit WMV files in Adobe Premiere. To create and trim:
- Launch Premiere and click on “New Project,” which you’ll find in the “Start” screen.
- Alternatively, choose “File” > “New” > “Project” from the main menu.
- Name your project in the “New Project” dialog box and click “Browse” to find a place to save it. Then, press “OK.”
There are two ways to trim clips in Adobe Premiere. Choose to either trim clips in your Timeline sequence or make precision cuts using Program Monitor.
Questions? We have answers.
It depends on what you consider important. If quality is your main issue, you may want to use MP4 due to the lower compression rate and higher quality. If storage space is a problem, you may prefer WMV. But you then need to consider playability, as MP4s are almost universally playable and WMV files are more limited.
Yes, you can convert .wmv files to .mp4 files. The easiest way to do so is with a third-party converter, which will allow you to upload and convert your video for use as an MP4.
AVI stands for Audio Video Interleave. It’s another popular file format containing audio and video. Both AVI and WMV were developed by Microsoft — AVIs were developed first. However, AVIs are larger than WMV files. Windows Media Player can play most AVIs by default.
WMV files, unlike many other video file types, are sometimes small enough to send via email. However, if it’s a larger WMV, you may struggle. There are a number of ways around this. You could create a zip file or edit the video.
iPhones are Apple devices, so they don’t natively support WMV files. However, you can overcome this by installing a third-party application from the App Store.
These applications can convert different media files, including WMVs, to formats that are playable on Apple devices, including Macs, iPhones, and iPads.
Find professional software for video editing that works with a wide array of codecs, including WMV:
Learn more about similar file types to WMV.
Xvid.
Xvid is a codec used to compress video files. These files are played on many Blu-ray and DVD players as well as Windows devices, but if you’re a Mac user, you’ll need to install software to play.
ProRes.
This is a high-quality, lossy video compression format developed by Apple, used for HD files in streaming and on Blu-ray.
MPEG-2.
MPEG-2 is an older codec similar to MP4. However, it was developed when DVD was emerging and you can’t use it for streaming.
MJPEG.
MJPEGs compress individual frames into JPG images and are supported by web browsers, media players and digital cameras.