WMV - What is it good for?

[fredfillis]

I was making a short movie recently for my wife from a segment of mpeg video downloaded from my tivo.

The video was a minute long. The resulting mpeg2 file was 40 meg, the wmv version of the same video was 3.5meg.

Playing back on my 'puter I don't see any discernible difference in quality.

So, what is the difference between WMV and mpeg 2? If the video was intended for use on the PC only, why wouldn't I keep my video in WMV format and save a whole bunch of disk space?

I'll stand out of the way, over in the corner, while waiting for responses!

[gadgetguy]

... If the video was intended for use on the PC only, why wouldn't I keep my video in WMV format and save a whole bunch of disk space?...

In a way you've answered your own question. Other formats offer better quality at similar compression rates to WMV. WMV sucks if you plan on converting to any other format down the line. The fact that you didn't see a difference recomressing an already compressed video doesn't surprise me and probably looks fine on the computer in a standard player window, but I'll bet it is hardly watchable full screen, but that would be my opinion, not necessarily yours. The bottom line is, if you are happy with it, who cares what anyone else thinks.

[thecoalman]

The file size is determined by the bitrate, you need to adjust it accordingly. Converting from MPEG2 using an appropiate bitrate you can knock the file size down by 4-5X with roughly the same quality. Using a high quality import format and comparing HQ>MPEG2 or HQ>WMV even lower.

What's it capable of? http://www.40lbhead.com/headfiles/albums/video/rockfest2005_empire_wandt.wmv

640x360 @490kbps Try that out full screen.

WMV sucks if you plan on converting to any other format down the line.

That would be true of any compressed format, MPEG, Divx...any of them. Noise removal and other restoration aside the best quality you will ever have is the most original format whatever it may be, its all downhill from there.

[fredfillis]

Other formats offer better quality at similar compression rates to WMV.

Would you mind elaborating a little?

WMV sucks if you plan on converting to any other format down the line.

Not likely. I think I would maybe use WMV sparingly. Most of my video work is home video (DV-AVI) or stuff I dump from my Tivo (mpeg2) to DVD. I'm not that guy who watches video on my 'puter for entertainment.

However, I do have one hybrid situation where it might be handy to me. I have some home video shot on a DVD camcorder. A lot of those disks turned out to be corrupted. I've managed to rescue most of it and it's now on my hard drive in mpeg2 format. I will take this into Vegas (at some point), maybe do a few cuts and tweaks and print it to DV tape (storage) and DVD (viewing). Given that its already in mpeg2 and I suspect that WMV is no less a PITA as far as "editing" is concerned, I could just convert all that ex DVD camcorder video to WMV and save a lot of storage space in the short term.

The only reason I made the one WMV for my wife was that I thought she was going to share with family / friends via email or web.

[Krispy Kritter]

Typically, the format you choose depends on the final use of the video. For web/email you typicall use wmv/avi for smaller size. To meet video standards (vcd/dvd) you have mpeg/mpeg2. The main thing to keep in mind when comparing formats is the resolution and bitrate. To get the best comparison (of size and quality), they should be equal. Comparing wmv file with half the resolution and a third of the bitrate of a mpeg doesn't show you the complete picture.

You most likely already know, each time you encode video, especially between formats, you lose quality. So I wouldn't be in a hurry to convert all of your home video to wmv to save space with the hope of later converting it mpeg2 for output to dvd.

[gadgetguy]

Other formats offer better quality at similar compression rates to WMV.

Would you mind elaborating a little?

Divx/xvid comes to mind.

WMV sucks if you plan on converting to any other format down the line.

That would be true of any compressed format, MPEG, Divx...any of them. Noise removal and other restoration aside the best quality you will ever have is the most original format whatever it may be, its all downhill from there.

I didn't mean to imply otherwise, but this conversation is on WMV and it clearly is a limitation (albeit not an exclusive one).

[thecoalman]

I could just convert all that ex DVD camcorder video to WMV and save a lot of storage space in the short term.

Assuming you mean in addition to your other storage methods that's the general idea, WMV or any compressed format is meant for viewing. The one thing not mentioned is WMV is the most pratical delivery format for the web. Two reasons for that it compresses very well and besides MPEG1 is going to be avaialble to the widest audience without them having to do anything.

[TBoneit]

You can pretty much expect that if you send someone a wmv file they will be able to play it on any windows PC. That is the strength of wmv. The other feature is that all XP machines have wmm. Divx or Xvid they have to load a extra codec. Many non tech types are better off receiving wmv files.

Ther are better codecs out there but none as universal as wmv IMHO.

Note: I said universal not better.

[Ai Haibara]

That's not necessarily true if you're using a pre-XP version of Windows, though. You may need to install a more recent version of Media Player or the Windows Media codecs, in order to play WMV/WMA files. (Assuming you want to play them using Media Player. Other players and ffdshow may have varying degrees of Windows Media support.)

[thecoalman]

WMV9 is compatible back to the 6.4 player which is ancient. That may even have shipped with WIN95 machines. Not sure if you have to install the latest codecs.

[TBoneit]

It has been a while since I used Windows media player, however as I recall if it needs the codecs, default settings are tol go to the MS site and try to download them.

[yoda313]

Ther are better codecs out there but none as universal as wmv IMHO.

Well as mentioned earlier I believe a vcd level mpg file will play on just about any computer going back to the early 90's if it has enough graphics power. A pentium 1 90mhz could do vcd mpg if I remember correctly. I think it might choke on a modern day wmv if you could get a version of windows media player to install on 95

Also a mac can play mpg much more easily than a wmv from what I imagine.

[TBoneit]

This is true that a VCD qual mpg will play but will be larger than a equivilent quality wmv but very few are running win95 now. Well we do run one here at work. It boots fast and shuts down fast and only runs a DOS program in a window over the network. I'd never use it to surf or play video. These days the only DOS/win3.x or 95 machines I see are businesses. Where the cost of upgraded software that would run on 2000/Xp is very high, $10K and up. These businesses are happy with what they have and that it just works.

[Nitemare]

That's not necessarily true if you're using a pre-XP version of Windows

WMV9 is compatible back to the 6.4 player which is ancient. That may even have shipped with WIN95 machines.

vcd level mpg file will play on just about any computer going back to the early 90's

very few are running win95 now

WMV is primarily used for e-mail and web. Everyone here is right about compatibility. For older machines with standard installation options, Media Player automatically downloads what it needs to play WMV.

MPEG 1 is the most universal format across different platforms, but why worry about those platforms? You run windows. Chances are everyone you know runs windows.

I do all of my work in DV-AVI and then to MPEG2 on DVD. I keep WMV copies of all of my stuff handy on hard drive for quick viewing. Understanding what WMV is for and what it's limitations/benefits are is important. These guys have covered it pretty well... (they always do!) I just wanted to assure you that WMV is fine for viewing on a PC and fast becoming the new "universal format" for Windows viewing.

Regards,
Nitemare

[budwzr]

WMV9 is not just for streaming and computer watching. You can roll your own quality vs. filesize level. You decide! My general storage recipe for WMV is:

320X240 1Mbps VBR 2500 max.

At this render rate, the file will be small enough for PDA, cellphone, Archos, etc. viewing, and will also scale up to a medium size (32") tv. For bigscreen playback you have to up the bitrate.