Windows Digital Video File Formats



Advanced Systems Format (ASF)

The preferred Windows Media format that supports the following file types: Windows Media Player 7, 9, 10, 11 and Media Player for XP.
As an extensible format it can store synchronized multimedia data. Usually the audio content is stored or transported as Windows Media Audio (WMA), the video content is stored or transported as Windows Media Video (WMV). But also content compressed with any other codec can be included in an ASF file.



Windows Media Video (WMV, WM)

Windows Video format that supports Windows Media Player 7, 9, 10, 11 and Media Player for XP.



Advanced Stream Redirector (ASX)

These Windows Media Metafiles are text files providing information about streaming and presentation. Thery are based on the XML-syntax (ANSI or UNICODE UTF-8, see XML, Unicode). Each element defines a setting or action in the Windows Media Player, they are defined with their associated tags and attributes.



Windows Media Redirector (WMX)

These are Metafiles that reference video files (WMV) and audio files (WMA).



Windows Media Player Playlist (WPL)

Playlist Files, written in a proprietary format. They were introduced since Windows Media Player 9. It can create dynamic playlists.



Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF)

A file format developed by Apple to store high-quality sampled audio and musical instrument information.



RealNetworks (RA, RM, RMA)

Media files compressed with the proprietary RealVideo and RealAudio codecs. For playback the RealNetworks Real Player is needed.