What format does windows media player support? Microsoft audio and video player: Windows Media. Adding skins and visuals to the player

Video video file format - defines the structure of the video file. There are many formats for encoding and compressing video files, consider some of them or almost all.

As of the end of 2008, there are three main video file formats: avi, mpg and mov.

Let's take a closer look at each one.

ASF format (Active Streaming Format) is a streaming format from Microsoft.

Commonly used video file extension .asf.

ASF video files appear with the extensions .WMA or .WMV.

ASF is a multimedia container, and does not contain instructions on how the data should be encoded, but only defines the structure of the data stream. In this respect, ASF replaces the AVI multimedia container format.

microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ru/format/asfspec.aspx

go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId\u003d31334 - ASF Specification

AVI format (Audio-Video Interleaved), developed by Microsoft for storing and playing video clips, is a container that can contain anything from MPEG1 to MPEG4.

It can contain four types of streams - Video, Audio, MIDI, Text.

Commonly used video file extension .avi.

There can be only one video stream, and several audio streams.

AVI can contain only one stream - either video or audio.

AVI does not impose any restrictions on the type of codec used, neither for video nor for audio - they can be anything.

Any video and audio codec can be combined in AVI video files. AVI uses less compression than similar ones video file formats.

AVI video files can be played by various players, but the player must support the codec used to encode this video.

Often questions arise: avi standard by whom
or avi standard developed by. This RIFF media container was first used by Microsoft in 1992 - for reference.

The following video codecs are commonly used in AVI video files:

DivX Codec www.divx.com

Cinepak Codec www.cinepak.com

Indeo Codec www.ligos.com

DV Codec

MJPEG Codec

Uncompressed RGB or YUY2 codec

The following audio codecs are commonly used in AVI video files:

MP3 codec

MS ADPCM (Microsoft Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) codec

PCM (Uncompressed Pulse Code Modulation) codec

DivX format (Digital video express) - Mpeg4 standard codec.

www.divx.com

FLV format (Flash Video) - video files used to transfer video over the Internet. Used by services such as YouTube, Google Video, RuTube, Tube.BY, Movie, Obivu, etc.

FLV video files can be viewed on most operating systems because it uses Adobe Flash and plugins for most browsers, and is supported by many video playback programs that work with DirectShow.

MOV format - Apple Quicktime, can contain any codec, CBR or VBR. They usually have the extension .QT or .MOV.

Since the MPEG4 Group has chosen QuickTime as the recommended format for MPEG4, their MOV video files come with the extension .MPG or .MP4.

MPG format (Moving Pictures Experts Group) - Video file containing videos encoded:

    Mpeg1 format - The standard was developed in 1992 taking into account the capabilities of 2-speed CD-ROMs and 486 computers.

    • This standard Encodes video data at a bit rate of about 1.5 million bits per second (bps). This format was developed specifically for use on Video-CD and CD-i CDs. Most implementations of the MPEG-1 standard provide playback at 352x240 pixels and 30 frames per second (fps). When using this standard, the image quality is slightly worse than that obtained with a conventional VCR.

    Mpeg2 format - the standard was adopted in 1994. Originally developed for broadcast quality digital video transmission. Used in DVD, digital TV and HDTV.

    Mpeg3 format - for high definition television (HDTV), but later became part of the Mpeg2 standard and is no longer mentioned separately.

    Mpeg4 (common short spelling MP4) - the standard is designed for very low data streams for use in videophone, multimedia e-mail, electronic information publications, etc.

MPEG1-2 (MPG) –Video and audio storage format with compression and data loss.

MPEG4 (MP4) - a movie or video clip compressed in MPEG-4 standard, usually used for sharing and transferring video files on the Internet,video telephones, multimedia e-mail, electronic newsletters, etc. This format uses separate compression for audio and video tracks.

MP4 is rated for very low data rates.

The MPEG-4 format is an International Organization for Standards (ISO) standard that describes various aspects of the presentation of multimedia data, including data creation, compression and transmission.

Www.iso.org/iso/prods-services/popstds/mpeg.html

Book.itep.ru/2/25/mpeg-4R.htm

At the same time, although the compression and connection of data in a video file are described by two different independent parts of the MPEG-4 standard, many people incorrectly think that they are interchangeable. Thus, it is possible to only partially implement the requirements of the standard and at the same time remain within its framework.
support.microsoft.com/kb/316992

According to the MPEG-4 standard, MPEG-4 video files contain MPEG-4 compressed video and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) compressed audio.

Typically, these video files have the MP4 extension. Turntable Windows Media does not support playback of such video files. To play MP4 video files using Windows Media Player, you need to install a DirectShow compatible MPEG-4 decoder. These decoders are included in the Ligos LSX-MPEG Player and EnvivioTV packages.For more information on the Ligos LSX-MPEG Player, visit the Ligos website at next address:
www.ligos.com

For more information on the EnvivioTV, visit the Envivio website:
www.envivio.com/products/

MPEG 7 Is not a continuation of Mpeg4, but the development of the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) for the Internet. The specialized language DDL (Description Definition Language) is used.

book.itep.ru/2/25/mpeg_7.htm

Note

Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPG, MPEG, M1V, MP2, MP3, MPA, MPE, MPV2, M3U)

The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standards were developed by an expert group of the same name. It is an evolving set of audio and video compression standards.

Detailed description and the specification of the standards of this group:

Www.chiariglione.org/mpeg/

Www.mpeg.org

RealVideo format created by RealNetworks.

RealVideo is used for live TV broadcasting on the Internet.

RealVideo has the smallest video file size and the lowest quality.

Extensions: RM, RA, RAM.

Www.realnetworks.com

www.real.com

SWF - ShockWare Flash. SWF video files are created using Macromedia Flash software.

SWF is also called format Flash Player.

RealVideo format is intended for storing vector graphics and animation clips that can contain sound.

Flash Player is used to view RealVideo, and modern browsers... You cannot edit SWF video files.

www.half-serious.com/swf/format/

Adobe.com/devnet/swf/
www.adobe.com/devnet/swf/pdf/swf_file_format_spec_v10.pdf

Xvid (previously XviD) - video compression library of the Mpeg4 standard.
Xvid is the main competitor of the DivX Pro codec (Xvid is the opposite of DivX). As opposed to the DivX codec - proprietary softwareby DivX, Inc., Xvid is Free Software released under the GNU General Public License.
www.xvid.org

WMV format (Windows Media Video) - A video file recorded in the Windows Media format.
Windows Media Video (WMV) files are Advanced Systems Format (ASF) files containing audio, video, or mixed recordings, packaged using the Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Windows Media Video (WMV) codecs.

Using a separate extension allows you to install several players on your computer and use some of them to play video files with the WMV extension.


* .3gp (short for English. 3 rd generation (mobile) phone - (mobile) phones of the third generation);
video files for mobile phones 3rd generation. Some modern mobile phones (not necessarily 3G) have the functions of recording and viewing audio and video in 3GP format.
This format is a simplified version of the ISO 14496-1 Media Format, which is similar to the MOV used by QuickTime.
3gp saves video as Mpeg4 or H.263. Audio is saved in AMR-NB or AAC-LC formats.
The finished video clips in 3gp format are small compared to other video formats, but this affects the quality.
www.3gp.com

Www.3gpp.org

Www.3gpp.org

Nowadays, many media players are emerging for the Windows based platform. Indeed, some of them look very nice, but with limited functionalitywhile others are fully functional, but without pretty interfaces. Thus, it is difficult for users to choose a suitable media player with support for all media formats that you want to play easily and with high quality... You will find the best solution here.

Blu-Ray Disc (BD), Blu-Ray ISO, and Blu-Ray folder (BDMV folder) on all popular Windows systems such as Windows XP (SP2 or later), Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Also, as an all-in-one media player, it can surprisingly DVD, VideoCD, MOV, MKV, AVI, FLV, WMV, MP4, MPEG, RMVB, MP3, WMA, AAC, AC3,etc. In order to achieve a combination of ease of use and hi-techThe Windows Blu-ray Player can play all kinds of media with resolutions up to 1080p and DTS HD Master Audio.

Step 1: Download Windows Blu-ray Player

Install and launch Windows Media Player.

Software that can be easily downloaded and installed on a Windows computer. After installation, you can start it by double clicking its icon on your desktop. / P\u003e

Smart installations

You can do some presets before playing Blu-ray, DVD, or other video formats: Tools -\u003e Preferences

Step 2: Play Blu-ray Disc or DVD on Windows OS

Insert Blu-ray Disc or DVD into optical drive... After a couple of seconds of loading, it will automatically play BD or DVD. This will first take you to the disc menu, where you can make some settings.

Step 3: start enjoying the movie

If you click on the play button, you can directly enter the main title and start enjoying the movie.

You can enjoy Blu-ray or DVD ISO in fantastic audiovisual quality with windows help Blu-ray Player.

Standard Mode

Full screen mode

Microsoft Windows Media Player is used to play and organize digital media files on a user's computer and on the Internet. It is a kind of device that integrates the functions of a radio receiver, a video player, a CD player, and an information database. Windows Media Player lets you listen to radio stations around the world, play and rip CDs, watch videos available on the Internet, and create a list of all digital media files on your computer.

Supported file types

The digital media files listed below can be played by Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player can also be set as the default player for any of the following file types.

File type (format)

File name extension

Compact disc

Intel Indeo Video File

AIFF audio

Windows Media (audio and video files)

ASF, ASX, WAX, WM, WMA, WMV, WVX, WMP, WMD and WMX

Windows (audio and video files)

Windows Media Player skins

MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)

MPEG, MPG, M1V, MP2, MPA, MPE, MP2V * and MPV2

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

The taskbar contains seven buttons associated with the seven main functions of the player: Playback, Media Guide, Rip from CD, Multimedia library, Radio tuning, CD or device and Cover selection.

Button

Act

Playback

View the video or visualization being played.

Media Guide

Search windows files Media on the Internet

Rip from CD

Play a CD or copy individual tracks to Multimedia librarylocated on this computer.

Multimedia library

Organize digital media files on your computer and link to content on the Internet, or create playlists for audio and video content.

Radio tuning

Search for and listen to radio stations on the Internet and create default settings for them so that you can quickly access the stations you want later.

CD or device

Create your own CDs from tracks stored in Multimedia Library... It also allows you to copy tracks to a portable device or memory card.

Cover selection

Change the look of Windows Media Player with skins.

The area where the playback controls are located

Playback controls are displayed at the bottom of the player. They adjust the volume level and perform basic tasks such as play, pause, stop, rewind and fast forward for audio and video files.

Control element

Function performed

Button Play

Plays the selected file. If the file is already playing, the Playturns into a button Suspendexcept when playing live streaming content.

Button Suspend

Pauses playback of the selected file. Playback resumes when the button is pressed Play... When the file is not playing (that is, when its playback is paused or stopped altogether), the button Suspendturns into a button Play.

Button Stop

Stops playback of the selected file.

Line Search

Shows how much of the selected file has been played. If the string Searchavailable, you can drag the indicator located in it to the point from which you want to start playing the selected file.

Button Switch off

Turns the sound on and off.

Slider Volume

Controls the volume level.

Button Previous track

Plays the previous item.

Button Rewind

Rewinds the video file, or dVD disc (in case this option is available).

Button Flash forward

Fast-forward a video file or DVD (if available).

Button Next track

Plays the next item.

Not all types of digital media support this feature.

LOW INTELLIGENCE

Video file formats determine the structure of the video, i.e. reflect exactly how the file is stored on any storage medium. Currently, there are a huge number of different types of different formats video files, and understanding their features is sometimes quite difficult. Besides, users often confuse the concepts of "codec", "container", "video standard" and substitute one for another.

In this article, we will try to figure out what video formats are, what are their differences and what format is the best for converting video.

Video codecs

Used to compress digital media files special programs - codecs. This is a kind of formula that determines how video content can be "packaged". Codecs also perform the inverse decoding operation, in this case they are called decoders.

The most popular video codecs are as follows: DivX, XviD, H.261, H.263, H.264, etc. Any operating system initially contains a certain set of codecs, but, as a rule, they are not enough to play certain video file formats.

Video containers

Codecs convert data into a special file called a container. A container is a special shell that stores information encrypted using codecs. Essentially, media containers are video file formats that contain data about their internal structure. The first media container was created in 1985.

The container can store information of different quality, in particular, images, audio, video and subtitles. Different types containers determine the amount and quality of information that can be stored in it, but do not affect how the data is encoded.

Format conversion

In practice, a huge number of cases arise when it is necessary to convert a video from one format to another. The main problem is that various devices impose special requirements on the quality of the uploaded video, in particular to its format. In this situation, special programs come to the rescue - converters, which allow you to convert the video into the desired format. For example, convenient - VideoMASTER.


AVI

Audio-Video Interleaved - one of the most common media containers for operating systems Windows. This format can contain four types of information: video, audio, text and midi. This container can contain video of various formats from MPEG-1 to MPEG-4.

AVI has a large number of variations in its internal structure and can be played on smartphones, communicators and other devices. The AVI media container does not impose any restrictions on the type of codec used.

WMV

Windows Media Video is a digital video format created and controlled by Microsoft. WMV files can contain audio and video data packed using the Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Windows Media Video (WMV) codecs.

MOV and QT

QuickTime File Format - This format was developed by Apple for QuickTime media player. To play such files, you need to have a QuickTime player or players with the MOV codecs already installed. The format can contain video, animation, graphics, 3D. This format supports any audio and video codecs.

ASF

Advanced Streaming Format - streaming format from Microsoft. It is based on MPEG-4 and is used to transfer low and medium bitrate video to the Internet. ASF is a multimedia container that supports almost all video codecs.

MPEG

Moving Pictures Experts Group - video files containing video encoded using the standards Mpeg1, Mpeg2, Mpeg3, Mpeg4. MPEG technology uses streaming video compression, which does not process each frame separately, but analyzes changes in video fragments and removes redundant information. MPEG-1 is a format for storing audio and video data on multimedia media.

The MPEG-4 format is commonly used for the exchange and transmission of video files on the Internet, video telephony, electronic news publications, etc. This format uses separate compression for audio and video tracks. MPEG-4 is designed for very low data rates.

Conclusion

We have listed only the most basic video file formats that are used in practice. When choosing one format or another, proceed from where this file will be played, and use video converters to convert video from one format to another.

Video file formats

Now let's take a look at the file formats supported by windows program Movie Maker.

You can import:

  • video formats: asf, avi, m1v, mp2, mp2v, mpe, mpeg, mpg, mpv2, wm and wmv
  • audioformat:aif, aifc, aiff, asf, au, mp2, mp3, mpa, snd, wav and wma
  • images:bmp, dib, emf, gif, jfif, jpe, jpeg, jpg, png, tif, tiff and wmf

But you can output either in WMV format or in uncompressed form.

Frequently encountered video file extensions:

AVI (Audio-Video Interleaved) is an extension of a huge number of video files, but it is not a format or codec. it container, developed by Microsoft, which can store 4 types of streams - video, audio, text and midi.
This container can contain video of any format from mpeg1 to mpeg-4, sounds of different formats, any combination of codecs is possible.

WMV (Windows Media Video) is a format from Microsoft, this is where you get a video made with Movie Maker.

MOV - Apple Macintosh QuickTime format, in addition to video, it can also contain graphics, animation, 3D. Most often, you need QuickTime Player to play this format.

MKV - (Matryoshka or Matroska) - also a container that can contain video, audio, subtitles, menus, etc. open source, is not yet very common, but very promising.

3gp - video for third generation mobile phones, small size and low quality.

Consider the video formats that are used in Internet:

FLV (Flash Video) is a video format for posting and broadcasting on the Internet, used by such platforms for posting video clips as YouTube, RuTube, Tube.BY, Google Video, Movie and many others.

SWF(Shockwave Flash) is an extension of animation created in adobe program Flash, as well as video in flash format, is played by browsers with using Flash Player. Flash movies are also widespread on the Internet.

This means that the FLV extension is a flash video, and the SWF is a flash movie.

RM, RA, RAM - an extension of the RealVideo format from the RealNetworks company, which is used for television broadcasting on the Internet. It has a small file size and low quality, but allows you to watch, for example, a TV news release on the website of a certain TV company.

Let's consider the main extensions that concern DVD:

VOB (Versioned Object Base) is a container extension that can contain multiple video (MPEG-2) and audio streams, as well as movie menus and subtitles. These are the main files on the movie DVD.

IFO - files on a DVD disc containing information about the movie, menu, the order of starting VOB files, necessary, for example, for a DVD-player, i.e. service files. Created during conversion or authoring, i.e. DVD burner.

m2v, m2p - video extensions in MPEG-2 format. I will not go deep, I will only say that such a video is needed for authoring, i.e. create VOB files and burn a DVD.

Of course, not all existing formats are listed here, but only those that are often found.

So, our task is to create a video clip or video film, which means that we must clearly understand what video format we have, and what we need in the output.