Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
.wmv files???
- Thread starter UltimaGTR
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
UltimaGTR said:
Convert it in iTunes. In settings or up top somewhere, it will give you a choice of an iPad friendly file conversion. You could also use Air Video which converts live or offline just about any file format.
Real Player gives you a "DOWNLOAD VIDEO" option box to tip to download videos while you surf the Internet and after it's done, the download pop-up box gives you an option to that.
No iPad here (not yet, but maybe not ever; not sure yet), but works for sure for conversion.
No iPad here (not yet, but maybe not ever; not sure yet), but works for sure for conversion.
Thank you both for the quick reply, but I should have been more clear in my initial post. I get lots of emails with attached .wmv files but can't play them on the iPad like I can with my Mac and Flip for Mac. I just wondered if I'd missed something to enable the conversion of the .wmv file for the iPad.
Thanks!
Thanks!
No, can't play them natively.
But who on earth uses .wmv files actively anymore?
I was afraid of that. I get .wmv files frequently, so apparently a lot of people still consider it a viable format. I agree it seems so dumb to create something for mass distribution that isn't universally useable... but there is the Windoze mentality again.
Thanks MisterMe... I'll have to check out this Telestream you speak of... never heard of them. Maybe with some gently coaching they'll see an opportunity.
As an example of quality stuff being distributed in .wmv format, you football fans out there will enjoy this .wmv file with amazing CG. Sorry but this, unfortunately, won't play on our iPads.
Actually it is more the apple mentality. Try playing anything except apples preferred format on ipad and you really cant
It is universally usable, but Apple restricts that usability on their mobile devices.
Therefore it's not universally useable? ...
I understand not using a format Apple uses (I understand, don't condone, I think it's smart to use a universal file type like .MOV or MP4) but if you're going to use a great one like .MKV or .AVI.
There is nothing technically preventing a WMV file from running on an Apple mobile device. It would play fine, but it's an intentional move by Apple not to allow it. So yes, it is universally usable, and roadblocked by Apple.
And you're incorrect on .MOV. It is also a proprietary format. This isn't to say that it can't be played on any system. You just need to make sure software for it is installed in order to do so. Just like WMV.
There are several misstatements of fact here:
- Windows Media is a set of proprietary Microsoft media formats based on stolen Apple code. Only Windows Media Player can play Windows Media 10, Windows Media 11, or any version of DRMed Windows Media. This is Microsoft's decision and there is nothing that Apple can do about it.
- Numerous players can play the video inside .mov containers. This has been the case since the early 1990s when Apple made a concerted effort to establish .mov as an Internet standard media format. As a result, .mov soon became an Internet peer to the established MPEG1 (aka *.mpeg) video format.
So?
No - it's just Apple's pumpkin headed way to interfere with users desire to use their products the way they want.
No - it's just Apple's pumpkin headed way to interfere with users desire to use their products the way they want.
johnnyturbouk
macrumors 68000
on a side note:
when ipad2 becomes JB, can one not just use VLC to play .wmv
i can play .flv files on vlc on my ip4 JB?
i ssh into my media folder and drop the flv file in/out as required
this should work for ipad also, no?
when ipad2 becomes JB, can one not just use VLC to play .wmv
i can play .flv files on vlc on my ip4 JB?
i ssh into my media folder and drop the flv file in/out as required
this should work for ipad also, no?