What happens when you convert WMV to MOV
| Inside a typical WMV | WMV 8 or WMV 9 video with WMA audio |
|---|---|
| Copy without re-encoding | Rarely: the codecs are not compatible, so the video is re-encoded |
| When re-encoded | H.264 video with AAC audio |
| Opens in | Apple devices, QuickTime and video editors; Windows plays it in most cases |
Sizes are typical values; your files will vary with content and settings.
WMV Windows Media Video
WMV is Microsoft's Windows Media video format, common in older Windows recordings and presentations.
WMV converterMOV QuickTime Movie
MOV is Apple's QuickTime container and the format iPhones and many cameras record to. It often holds HEVC or ProRes video, which keeps quality high but files large.
MOV converterHow to use the WMV to MOV Converter
- 1
Choose a WMV file or drop it onto the page.
- 2
Review the video options. The defaults suit most files.
- 3
Click Convert and download your MOV when processing finishes.
Why convert WMV to MOV?
WMV files come from Windows Movie Maker, older Windows cameras and corporate video archives. Macs, phones and browsers rarely play WMV. Choose MOV to edit in iMovie or Final Cut, or to keep an Apple-based workflow consistent.
Frequently asked questions
Will the MOV lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so converting re-encodes the data once more. Using a high quality setting keeps the generational loss very small. Avoid converting the same file back and forth repeatedly.
Does converting WMV to MOV re-encode the video?
Rarely: the codecs are not compatible, so the video is re-encoded. A typical WMV contains WMV 8 or WMV 9 video with WMA audio. Otherwise the result is H.264 with AAC audio.
Questions about privacy, file-size limits or conversion speed are answered in the general FAQ.