What is WMV File Format?

Nataliia Paraskeva Aug 3, 2023

WMV is a widely used format that was introduced by Microsoft in 1999. The WMV file type is designed to compress audio and video files, providing twice as much compression as the similar MPEG 4 format. As a result, it’s the ideal format for users looking for a way to easily share compressed media online. The extra compression does lead to a certain loss in quality.

However, given the impressive levels of compression and the added convenience this provides, WMV is still a very widely used format. Given the likelihood that you’ve already got numerous WMV files saved in your library, it’s worth investing in a player such as Elmedia Player that lets you make use of this format. The Elmedia WMV player for Mac can handle WMV, as well as a huge range of other file types.

Playing files with wmv file extension on Mac

WMV Facts and Trivia

WMV video streams are packaged in ASF containers, despite having the .wmv file type.
WMV encoded video can also be stored in Matroska files and AVI.
WMV can contain DRM - for example, files from the Zune marketplace can't be played on other systems.
Besides video, a .wmv file can contain a slideshow or a screencast.
WMV file format is based on MPEG-4, one of its primary competitors.
Microsoft uses DRM-enabled WMV as a standard for video distribution, especially time-limited subscription-based services.

What is the WMV format good for?

High compression ratio, for faster streaming and easier storage. Reportedly, twice as high as MPEG-4.
Specifically, it's a good choice for an email attachment. It also used to be supported by Silverlight, but the plugin was discontinued.
If your video has a WMV file extension, it certainly runs on any Windows-powered device.
High backward compatibility, especially for MS software.
It's a proprietary, commercially developed format, likely to be of high quality.
Online playback supported by Google Drive.
Can be processed in most video converters.

What are its downsides?

Low compatibility with non-Microsoft systems. However, on Apple products, there are some popular solutions, such as QuickTime with Flip4Mac, and ShredWorx Smart Converter.
Brutal DRM. Microsoft peppers its media with multiple types of copy protection, locking videos down to specific times, places, and devices.
When decoding the video, many players can lag and stutter. It’s quite CPU-intensive.
"WMV" can refer either to the video codec, or a file format, which can have a different encoding. This leads to confusion, and a video player or a converter might fail to recognize a .wmv file.

The Two Kinds of WMV

Because "WMV" has a double meaning, it's recommended that you read the illustration below to discern between an MKV video file and an .mkv container.

As a Video Encoder

A codec is a program used to compress or extract video and audio data. Depending on its role, it can be either an encoder or a decoder. A good codec will save space, and a better one will minimize quality losses. Usually, it's a trade-off between quality and compression levels, but over time, there is always some improvement. There are separate codecs for video and audio, so to combine them, the two media types are stored together in a container.

As a Container File

Container files are used for their convenience. One of their obvious benefits is that you don't have to open video and audio tracks separately. They are also useful because of other features, such as subtitles, and storing multiple different audio tracks (for example, in different languages). The container itself also holds information on its contents, such as their codecs. The .wmv container format is a subtype of .asf, and it usually contains WMV-encoded video and WMA audio. File extensions are mainly used by humans; a format, if it's needed, is usually coded into the file. A .wmv and an .asf are virtually the same, as long as they contain the same set of video and audio files. Of course, there are also different formats of containers.

How to Open a WMV File

The WMV format is more familiar to Windows users, since it’s native to the system. Some of your older files might be encoded this way. To avoid losing data, we’ll give you some recommendations on how to open Windows Media Video. Whether you’re on Android, on Windows, or on macOS, these solutions will help you run WMV.

Playing WMV on Windows

WMV is easy to play on this system, since the default player - Windows Media Player - is fully compatible with this format. Just find the file and double-click it, and it should open. Since WMP is an optional feature, make sure to check that it’s enabled in "Settings - Apps and Features - Manage Optional Features".

Playing WMV on macOS

Support for WMV is not native on macOS, but achievable through the use of third-party video players. Elmedia Player is one of the better apps out there - it has playlist and bookmark support, a video tuner, an audio equalizer, and you can even use DLNA and AirPlay 2 to stream.

How to Play WMV on Mac with Elmedia

1. Download the Elmedia Player.

2. Install and launch Elmedia Player.

3. Use one of these ways to open the WMV::

Click-and-drag the .wmv to the player window, or the Launcher icon.
Right-click a .wmv in Finder and use the "Open With" function.
In Elmedia itself, use File - Open and select the file.

Android Solution

Most Android video players support a large variety of formats. If your built-in player can’t handle WMV, look for VLC, MX Player or similar apps. Note that it will be difficult to find an ad-free player; your best bet is open-source software.

What other players could you use?

There are plenty of alternative third party players you can use to enjoy your WMV files. The following are a few of the best options out there to play WMV on Mac:

VLC Player

VLC Player has been around for decades and is one of the most widely used players. It’s open source, meaning that it doesn’t benefit from a dedicated support system, though it is available completely free. VLC can handle a range of different file types, and offers a selection of features that make it straightforward and easy to use.

Switch Player

Switch Player is probably more of a specialized service than what some users may be looking for. It’s got the capabilities you would more likely associate with a professional video studio, and accordingly high prices. However, if you only want to make use of the basic tools, you can get a limited version for 15 dollars that can handle WMV and other video formats.

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is another fairly well known player that’s been around for a while. It offers many of the same functions as other players, though it does have a certain amount of popups and advertising which most users will probably find irritating. On the plus side, it lets you play videos directly from a number of online platforms.

IINA Player

IINA Player is definitely a player that’s been designed with style in mind. It offers a number of different customisation features, providing you with an interface that is both usable and stylish. In terms of functions it’s got plenty of handy options, including fully customisable playback and the ability to handle a wide range of different file formats.

Convert WMV Files

The other option for playing WMV files is to convert them. By changing them into a format your player can handle, you can easily play them and plenty of other file types. However, conversion is somewhat time consuming as you need to wait for your converter to deal with each of the files one by one. However, if you want to convert WMV, the following are some possible tools you can use for the task:

Movavi

Movavi is a versatile video converter that lets you not only convert files, but also edit and manipulate them. You can add subtitles, crop and trim video, and even upscale quality for any video that is under par. Movavi is available in a free mode, which lets you get to grips with the software. For full usability you need to invest in the paid version.

Wondershare Uni Converter

Wondershare Uni Converter is a straightforward but usable converter that’s available for both Mac and Windows. It doesn’t offer anything incredible, but can handle plenty of different file types and converts fairly quickly. In addition it lets you download videos from a number of top streaming services and platforms.

MiniTool Video Converter

MiniTool Video Converter is a compact but effective solution for anyone looking for a way to convert their WMV files. It offers high conversion speeds, as well as the option of converting in batch, letting you deal with a large number of files at once. MiniTool also provides users with the option of downloading directly from a number of major streaming platforms.

FAQ

Here you can find the answers on what is a WMV file and how you can play it. If you still have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will answer as soon as possible.

Can QuickTime open WMV files?

Not really, Quicktime player can't open WMV. Though, since it's such a popular format, this can be solved in a few ways.

On one hand, you can use a third-party app to play your WMV. Some popular choices are Elmedia, VLC, or 5KPlayer. Either will do it, with varying quality. This WMV player Mac application is the premium choice, by far the most stable.

On the other hand, you could use a converter. Online or offline, both have their time to shine. Earlier, we have suggested https://convert-video-online.com , it ought to be a good experience.

What is WMV used for?

It's mainly used to sell protected videos, both physically (DVD and Blu-Ray) and virtually (Microsoft Store). Also, it can be a preferred format for Windows-enabled multimedia devices.

How do I convert a WMV file to MP4?

We've got a converter in mind just for you. Try https://convert-video.com/, with it, you'll be able to convert online. And this is how you use it.

Open your WMV file. There are multiple output options, pick Apple and your resolution. Or you can simply choose the format - in this case, MP4.
Press "Convert" and you'll get your file.
QuickTime, or whichever player you have, will open it just fine.

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Requirements

Requirements: OS X 10.12+

Latest version

Latest version: v8.17(3393), released 29 Nov, 2023 Release notes

​​What is WMV File Format?