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How to convert a video to WMV and back

Edited by Ben Jacklin
5 954

Windows Media Video, or WMV, is a video compression format that was developed by Microsoft. WMV files are supported on Windows, so the format is a good choice for watching videos on your PC. However, WMV is not widely supported on other platforms, so sometimes you might need to change WMV files to another format.

Below, you’ll find common problems that can be solved by conversion.

A file won’t open on your device

A common reason for this is that a device or media player doesn’t support the file format. There’s a simple solution – convert your video to a compatible format.

Not enough space for your video

If you don’t have enough storage space, you can reduce the size of your videos. Conversion apps let you change various parameters of a file to make it smaller.

No sound during playback

You may encounter this problem if the audio codec is incompatible with your player. Just convert your video to a different format and choose the right audio codec.

How to convert a video to WMV and vice versa with the Movavi converter

Need a simple, but powerful WMV Converter? Look no further! Movavi Video Converter for Windows or Mac enables you to transfer video and audio files between more than 180 different media formats and save them in appropriate formats for more than 200 popular mobile devices, including Android smartphones and tablets; Apple iPod, iPhone, and iPad; Nokia; and PSP.

Download Movavi Video Converter and transfer your videos to WMV or any other format in just a few minutes!

Step 1. Download and install Movavi Video Converter

Download the video converter by Movavi and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. This fast and easy-to-use converting software will enable you to change video formats in no time. Convert video to WMV and vice versa with no visible loss of quality. You can also extract audio from movies and clips to save as MP3s and even resize and trim your video.

Step 2. Add a file for conversion

Click Add Media, then Add Video and add the video or videos you want to convert to WMV (or any other format). With Movavi Video Converter, you can convert your entire media library in just a couple of clicks!

Step 3. Specify the format and settings

Open the Video tab and choose the format to which you want to change your video files; you can find presets for the WMV format under the WMV category. You can further customize the preset by adjusting values like frame size and bitrate – just click the Cogwheel icon to set these.

Step 4. Convert your video file to WMV or another format

Choose the folder in which you want to place the converted files by clicking the Folder icon and hit Convert to start processing. It can take anything from one to several minutes, depending on the file size and the number of files you are converting.

Movavi Video Converter creates the new file in the selected format automatically. Once your video has been converted to WMV, the folder containing the newly converted video will open automatically.

How to use an online WMV converter

You can also convert video to WMV online. There are several conversion tools available on the Web. Here we’ll describe how to use Online Video Converter.

Open Online Video Converter

On the website, click the Add Your Media button to upload your video. Note that the file size is limited, and you can only convert one file at a time. Open the list of formats on the right, pick Video, and select WMV. Hit Convert to start the conversion process. When it’s done, click Download to save the file to your computer.

How to use a free WMV converter

Another option is to convert to WMV for free. Try the VLC media player – it’s a freeware app that lets you not only play media files but also convert them to different formats. However, the program has a few drawbacks – videos are processed rather slowly, and the app can’t handle very large files.

Download the VLC media player

Download and run the installation file, follow the on-screen instructions, and launch the program. Click Media in the upper-left corner and select the Convert / Save option. In the new dialog window, hit Add to upload the files you want to convert. Then click the Convert / Save in the lower part of the window. In the Profile section, open the list of formats and choose Video – WMV + WMA (ASF). Next, click Browse to pick the destination folder and rename the file, changing the extension to .wmv. Click Save. Now hit Start to launch the conversion.

Frequently asked questions

Is WMV a good format?

WMV is a video compression format designed by Microsoft. It’s a good option for Windows users, but the format is not widely supported on other platforms. WMV files can also be DRM-protected, which makes this format appropriate for video content sold online.

Is WMV compressed?

WMV files can be compressed with one of the following video codecs: WMV V7, WMV V8, WMV 9, WMV 9 Screen, WMV 9 Advanced profile, MPEG-4, WMV 9.1 Image V2.

How can I play WMV files on my iPhone?

To play WMV files on an iPhone, you can install a special WMV player. Alternatively, you can convert WMV videos to a format compatible with iPhone.

Can WMV play on Android?

There are special players that can open WMV videos on Android. You can also convert WMV to a more universal format that is supported on your device, for example, MP4.

Is WMV better than MP4?

Both WMV and MP4 can contain high-quality videos while maintaining a relatively small file size. They can also both be used for streaming videos on the Internet. MP4 is a more widely used format and is supported on almost every device. WMV files can be played on Windows devices with no problems but, for some devices, you’ll need special players to open WMV-format videos.

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