Video File Format Conversion

Newtonian Fury · Post by **Newtonian Fury** » 2003-08-31 11:39pm

I have a couple video files in WMV format. Obviously, any computer without Windows Media Player won't be able to view these files. Having a couple Macs as spares and a few in the work place, I want those files to be compatible.

So here's what I want: I want to convert these WMV files into either MPEG or AVI. So what software does this? Freeware preferred. My commonly used system is WinXP Pro. My Macs have OS X. Any help is appreciated.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-08-31 11:41pm

You need to learn how to use GraphEdit to transcode your video files. Do a google search, you should find some good information.

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-09-01 12:53am

phongn wrote:You need to learn how to use GraphEdit to transcode your video files. Do a google search, you should find some good information.

Might be hard, though. Since Microshaft patented the ASF file format (which also affects WMV as I recall) third-party programs aren't allowed to edit them.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-09-01 01:07am

Dalton wrote:
phongn wrote:You need to learn how to use GraphEdit to transcode your video files. Do a google search, you should find some good information.
Might be hard, though. Since Microshaft patented the ASF file format (which also affects WMV as I recall) third-party programs aren't allowed to edit them.

WTF? Why the hell, no, WHO the hell would patent a crappy-ass video format whose only defining feature is that Javascripts and ActiveX can be embedded into (and execute from) it!!?!? Probly the same damnable assholes who thought Jawascripts and RaDiOActiveHaX inside video filez made sense in the first place. Only a cesspit of demonspawn (My apologies to any demons offended by this comment

) such as Micro$oft could think of this, and only a fucking monopoly such as Micro$oft could SHOVE IT DOWN OUR GODDAMN THROATS AGAINST OUR WILL!

Code: Select all

C:>Format C:
C:>SUQMYTUX
C:>D:
D:>LINUX_INSTALL.bin C:

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-09-01 01:18am

Ein, don't jump the gun. Phong's probably going to tell me why I'm wrong

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-09-01 02:18am

Dalton wrote:
phongn wrote:You need to learn how to use GraphEdit to transcode your video files. Do a google search, you should find some good information.
Might be hard, though. Since Microshaft patented the ASF file format (which also affects WMV as I recall) third-party programs aren't allowed to edit them.

I use VirtualDub for everything, but I get a message telling me about the patent thingy. It also tells me it's "as of version 1.3d" so I guess it's a good idea to try to find an earlier version and see if it works.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-09-01 02:20am

Also, www.divx-digest.com is always a good place to start.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-09-01 12:45pm

Dalton wrote:
phongn wrote:You need to learn how to use GraphEdit to transcode your video files. Do a google search, you should find some good information.
Might be hard, though. Since Microshaft patented the ASF file format (which also affects WMV as I recall) third-party programs aren't allowed to edit them.

GraphEdit is a Microsoft tool. It's included in the DirectX SDK, but you can usually find it elsewhere. Unfortunately, it's rather buggy.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-09-01 12:49pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:WTF? Why the hell, no, WHO the hell would patent a crappy-ass video format whose only defining feature is that Javascripts and ActiveX can be embedded into (and execute from)

If you'd get off your high-horse you might recognize that on a technical level, Windows Media is actually a rather sophisticated format and its compression is quite impressive. I've found results in WM to generally be better than either the Divx, 3vix or Xvid MPEG-4 codecs. Of course, I don't use WMV due to its various restrictions.

Probly the same damnable assholes who thought Jawascripts and RaDiOActiveHaX inside video filez made sense in the first place.

Actually, I could see not a few uses for implementing scripting and such inside a video file, especially one designed for use over the Internet.

Only a cesspit of demonspawn (My apologies to any demons offended by this comment ) such as Micro$oft could think of this, and only a fucking monopoly such as Micro$oft could SHOVE IT DOWN OUR GODDAMN THROATS AGAINST OUR WILL!

You are not required to use WMV.