ASF files are media containers that compress multiple audio or video streams. They are perfect for streaming online across a range of different bandwidths — helping make your videos more accessible to the masses.
Learn more about their pros and cons and how to open them.
An ASF (Advanced Systems Format) file is a container file that holds several types of data, like video, audio, and metadata, in a single file. Microsoft developed the file type specifically for sharing and storing media.
ASF files are similar to MPEG-4 files, which are also used for storing video and audio for online playback. They can store audio data or combine video data, audio data, and metadata.
While the ASF file extension saves media in the ASF format, the WMA and WMV extensions are more popular alternatives. If the ASF container stores audio, it saves as a Windows Media Audio (WMA) file. If the ASF file stores video, it saves as a Windows Media Video (WMV) file. Users can compress audio and video data using different containers.
Microsoft developed the Advanced Systems Format between 1996 and 1998 for streaming media. It was formerly known as “Advanced Streaming Format” and “Active Streaming Format” before settling on the current name.
Since its rollout in February 1998, it has been the file type of choice for Windows Media Player. It was originally patented to only be compatible with Microsoft software.
However, it has since been able extended to Apple iTunes, where you can now convert ASF files for use on that platform.
ASF files have multiple uses:
Metadata storage.
ASF files store essential metadata. This includes information related to the structure of the file, including video chapters, subtitles, and authors, which make it easier to find the right file when you need it.
Playback.
ASF files support file playback from different media servers, HTTP servers, and local storage devices, such as hard drives. They don’t affect how well these play, as this depends on things like bandwidth and device. However, they do ensure that video and audio can achieve the maximum quality possible, if bandwidth and the device allows.
What’s more, you can open and play an ASF file online before it finishes downloading.
You can open an ASF file with several media players. Windows Media is the default video player software in Windows that supports ASF files. You can also open ASF files with the VLC media player in macOS and Linux, and with Penta Loop Playerxtreme Media Player in iOS.
How to open ASF in Windows Media Player.
To open an ASF file in Windows Media Player, just:
How to open ASF in VLC.
To open an ASF file in VLC Media Player:
If you don’t have access to any of these, an alternative approach is to convert your ASF file to another format supported by your chosen media player.
You can find free online video-making and editing tools to help you create and edit videos in the ASF file format. Or try creating and editing ASF files in Adobe Premiere and Adobe Media Encoder. Media encoder can import ASF with the On2 VP6 video codec.
You can convert an ASF file to an MP4 file using Adobe Media Encoder. Simply:
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