Windows Media formats are supported in many software and hardware-based players as well as Microsoft's own software-based Windows Media Player. The foundation container format for Windows Media is the Advanced Systems Format (ASF) file, which holds audio, video, metadata (titles, author, etc.), indexes and scripts.
WMA (Audio) and WMV (Video)
When Windows Media audio codecs are used, the resulting file is given a .WMA extension. When Windows Media video codecs are used, files have a .WMV extension. For non-Windows codecs, the .ASF file extension is used, and WMA and WMV files can be renamed with the .ASF extension for compatibility with earlier players. See
WMA Lossless.
Streaming
Windows Media audio and video files can be downloaded intact and played, or they can be streamed from a website when used in conjunction with Microsoft's Windows Media Services on a Web server. In fact, ASF originally stood for "Active Streaming Format," but was changed to Advanced Systems Format to eliminate the streaming-only connotation. See
Smooth Streaming.
Metafile Formats
Windows Media provides XML-based metafile formats for holding playlists, content descriptions and the location of the ASF, WMA or WMV file on a local or remote server. These files are called "redirectors" (see below). See
Windows Media Services,
Windows Media Rights Manager and
Windows Media.
WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER MEDIA SUPPORT
File
Extension Medium
Windows Native A/V Formats
WAV Audio (lossless)
AVI Video
ASF A/V non Windows codec
WMA Audio (regular & streaming)
WMA Audio Lossless (see WMA Lossless)
WMV Video (regular & streaming)
Playlists
Windows Metafile Formats (Redirectors)
ASX All formats
WAX WMA files
WVX WMV files
WPL Client-side playlist
Non-Windows Formats Supported by
Windows Media Player
MP3 MPEG audio
AU Unix audio
SND Unix audio
AIFF Mac audio
MID MIDI music
RMI MIDI music
MOV QuickTime video
QT QuickTime video
MPG MPEG video
MPE MPEG video
VOB DVD