Can't Read Wmv Files

[AFMRPCUSER]

I seem to have a problem here. I get these WMV files from time-to-time from a friend and I cannot open them. I took sometime and browsed around on the Web and found some great information plenty going on about how wonderful they are on PC"s but very little with regard to converting and or opening and playing these Windows based files in the OSX environment. Any suggestions on a viewer or converter that I can use with my iMAC, that runs transparent? And, that doesn't take an instrument rating to install and run.

 

[r.j.s]

Install Flip4Mac, it will allow them to play in Quicktime. Although, it doesn't work with protected WMV files.

 

[Sun Baked]

Even if you install Flip4Mac, there is no guarantee you will be able to open everything, since there are some codecs used on the PC side NOT supported.

If you still cannot open the file, open it in something like Text Edit to see what codec is used ... you should see which one is used in the first 10 lines of text. Or you can install one of the conversion programs that'll read it for you.

 

[r.j.s]

Even if you install Flip4Mac, there is no guarantee you will be able to open everything, since all the codecs used on the PC side are supported.

Adding to this ...

You should install Perian as well, it has almost every codec you could possibly need.

 

[AFMRPCUSER]

My Reply 2 U

Well that was quick and thanks for the information. One thing does one have to start this program prior to downloading a file? Or does the program recognize a wmv file and automatically open up? I have installed programs in here before only to find out that I had no instructions on how to run them or manipulate them.

 

[Sun Baked]

Download and install Flip4Mac, which will add .wmv support to Quicktime.

So double-clicking a .wmv file will open Quicktime.

If you find that the sound or the video doesn't work, it might be sent with an unsupported coded, so download and install Perian.

 

[Sorkvild]

Downloading Flip4mac will result in an installer. Double-click that and go through the installation. After that is complete, you will have a Flip4mac preference pane in your System Preferences under Other. From there you can change some settings. But yes, Quicktime should be able to open wmvs just like other movies.

 

[jnc]

VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC

you get the idea. VLC plays EVERYTHING. .avis, .wmvs, .movs, even .flvs... You'll never use QuickTime again.

 

[MrSEC]

VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC
VLC

you get the idea. VLC plays EVERYTHING. .avis, .wmvs, .movs, even .flvs... You'll never use QuickTime again.

Yep.That's what I used to play an MPEG2 on my MB.