problems w/ASF and WMV conversion

[kruuth]

I have a number of ASF and WMV files I need to convert over to AVI. Currently however, I cannot get them to convert using winmpgconvert or anything else for that matter. The winmpg error is that "an error log is being generated" error. Honestech gives the "Can't open xxxxxxxx.ASF". Any ideas? Oh, I've got the k-lite codec pack for encoding/decoding version 2.27.

[kruuth]

Oh, the files play fine in M$ media player.

[theDruid]

As ASF/WMV are proprietary Micro$oft formats, there are not many apps that can do anything with them.

You might want to try ASFtools and/or VirtualDub 1.3c (which was the last version of VirtualDub to support ASF before M$ asked Avery Lee to remove support for that format from it.)

Both apps are available in the Tools section on this site.

cheers,
theDruid.

[edit]There used to be a link to VirtualDub 1.3c on the tools page for VirtualDub, but it looks like it's gone - perhaps Bladrick got asked to remove it? You should be able to find it or something similar with google though.[/edit]

[mgh]

Out of all software I have tried-the best is TMPGEnc-make sure you have wmv9 and run wmv9VCMsetup.exe from MS.
Encode to a high enough kbps for your source to minimise loss of detail and then convert to avi. Do not try to use any filters-chances are it will crash and also be prepared for a very slow loading of the file.
You can also use Avisynth 2.5x and use directshowsource for loading the file and frame serve-you need to know the fps accurately-else it crashes.

[theDruid]

If you can get the file to open in TMPGEnc, there's an option to output direct to avi:

File->Output to file->AVI file

then you can select your codec etc.. from there.

[coyote]

I had the same problem. Try Boilsoft ASF Converter. Once you point to the asf, you can then choose the frame rate, video codec, and audio codec. It automatically chooses the width and height, but you can change it if you choose.

[sammie]

There are two problems you may be running into. The first one is pretty well discussed, that being that ASF/WMV is a proprietary M$ format and they don't like progs that work with it.

The second problem is that the files very often contain errors. You will often see that even programs that can open and work with them truncate before the end of the file. The only real luck I've had is to run one of the ASF fixer's first, then encode. TMPEGenc and MainConcept will both open and encode them from there. BUT!! TMPEGenc will often stop somewhere in the middle while doing video and MainConcept often gives no sound at all on audio. So do the audio using TMPEGenc set up to use Shibatch and tooLame. Then do the video using MainConcept and mux using TMPEGenc, I know it's a pain but it is the only way I've found to consistently convert good files.

I haven't tried the TMPEGenc to avi but that sounds like an option too.

[kruuth]

I'm going to try boilsoft. ASFTools has problems with outputting. It seems to not want to work or it outputs garbage.

[kruuth]

Some vid is choppy. Ideas?