Windows Media Video (WMV)[1] is a compressed video compression format for several proprietary codecs developed by Microsoft. The original video format, known as WMV, was originally designed for Internet streaming applications. The other formats, such as WMV Screen and WMV Image, cater for specialized content. Through standardization from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers(SMPTE), WMV 9 has gained adoption for physical-delivery formats such as HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.
The WMV file type is primarily associated with 'Windows Media File' by Microsoft Corporation.It requires version 8+ of the Windows Media Player. Now you can easily watch WMV video on several media players, such as VLC, The KMPlayer, Mplayer, and with Microsoft Flip4Mac software, you are able to play WMV files on your QuickTime Player.
WMV Playback Features:
Supported Audio Codecs
Windows Media Audio 9
Windows Media Audio 9 Professional
Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless
ISO MPEG Layer 3 (MP3)
Microsoft G.726
Microsoft IMA ADPCM
Microsoft G.711 aLaw
Microsoft G.711 uLaw
Microsoft ADPCM
Supported Video Codecs
Windows Media Video 9
Windows Media Video 9 Advanced (VC-1)
Windows Media Video 8
Windows Media Video 7
ISO MPEG-4, versions 1.0 and 1.1
Microsoft MPEG-4, versions 2 and 3
Microsoft Motion JPEG
Microsoft claims that WMV 9 provides a ompression ratio that is 2x better than MPEG-4, and 3x better than MPEG-2; Microsoft also claims that WMV 9 is 15-50% better than WMV 8 in terms of compression efficiency. But, one test reportshowed that WMV 9 had worse compression efficiency than WMV 8, andmany 3rd party WMV compilers have had worse performance than Windows Movie Maker.
Windows Media DRM:
It's a Digital Rights Management service for the Windows Media platform. It is designed to provide delivery of audio and/or video content over an IP network to a PC or other playback device in such a way that the distributor can control how that content is used.While none of the WMV codecs themselves contain any digital rights management facilities, the ASF container format, in which a WMV stream may be encapsulated.
Windows Media DRM, which can be used in conjunction with WMV, supports time-limited subscription video services such as those offered by some video/audio company. Windows Media DRM, a component of Windows Media Connect, is supported on many modern portable video devices and streaming media clients such as the Xbox 360.
Related Software
WinX DVD Ripper: Free DVD to WMV converter which is made for help users convert DVD to WMV format free.
WinX DVD Ripper Platinum: Advanced version of WinX DVD Ripper, apart from convert DVD to WMV at fastest speed and excellent quality, also capable of converting DVD to WMV, MPEG, MOV, iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc. Makes perfect 1:1 copy with 5 minutes. Constantly update to defeat upcoming DVD copy protections.
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe: easily convert WMVvideo to MPEG, MOV, HD video, iPhone, iPad, iPod, PSP, ZUNE, etc, as well as convert them back to WMV format. Moreover, it builds 160 video codec and 50 audio codec, a perfect multi-functional combination of HD Video Converter, DVD Burner & Website Video Downloader.
Related Source
MPEG-4, AVC, AVI, MPEG, Mplayer, QuickTime, VLC, Windows Media Player
Related External Source
Best WMV to MP4 Converter
DVD to WMV Converter
[1]:WMV Knowledge from Microsoft Official Page
