What happens when you convert WMV to MP4
| 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 | every phone, browser, TV, editor and social network |
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 converterMP4 MPEG-4 Part 14
MP4 is the universal video container. With H.264 video and AAC audio it plays on every phone, browser, smart TV and social network, which makes it the safest choice for sharing.
MP4 converterHow to use the WMV to MP4 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 MP4 when processing finishes.
Why convert WMV to MP4?
WMV files come from Windows Movie Maker, older Windows cameras and corporate video archives. Macs, phones and browsers rarely play WMV. Choose MP4 to upload to social media, send in a chat app or play on any phone and TV.
Frequently asked questions
Will the MP4 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 MP4 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.