.WMA File Extension
Windows Media Audio
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity | |
| Category | Audio Files |
| Format | .WMA |
| Cross Platform | Update Soon |
What is an WMA file?
.WMA (Windows Media Audio) is a file extension associated with audio files primarily used on Windows operating systems. It was developed by Microsoft as a proprietary audio format to compete with other popular audio formats like MP3.
More Information.
The purpose of .WMA files was to offer a digital audio format that could deliver good sound quality with smaller file sizes compared to other formats of the time. It was intended to be a versatile solution for both streaming and storing audio content.
Origin Of This File.
The .WMA file format was introduced by Microsoft in 1999 as a part of its Windows Media framework. It was designed to provide a high-quality audio experience while also offering efficient compression to reduce file sizes.
File Structure Technical Specification.
.WMA files use a variety of audio codecs developed by Microsoft, including WMA, WMA Pro, and WMA Lossless, each offering different levels of compression and quality. The file structure typically includes audio data encoded using one of these codecs along with metadata such as artist name, album title, and track information.
How to Convert the File?
Windows:
- Using Windows Media Player:
- Open Windows Media Player.
- Click on the “Organize” menu and select “Options.”
- In the Options window, go to the “Rip Music” tab.
- Under “Rip Settings,” choose the desired format (e.g., MP3) from the “Format” dropdown menu.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the settings.
- Insert the .WMA file into the Windows Media Player library.
- Right-click on the .WMA file and select “Convert to” followed by the desired format.
- Using Online Converters:
- There are several online converters available where you can upload your .WMA file and select the desired output format. Examples include OnlineConvert.com, CloudConvert.com, and Zamzar.com.
- Upload your .WMA file, choose the format you want to convert to, and follow the instructions to complete the conversion process.
- Download the converted file once the conversion is finished.
Linux:
- Using FFmpeg:
- FFmpeg is a powerful multimedia framework that can be used to convert audio files on Linux.
- Open a terminal window.
- Use the following command to convert a .WMA file to MP3.
- Replace “input.wma” with the name of your .WMA file and “output.mp3” with the desired output file name and format.
- Press Enter to execute the command, and the conversion process will begin.
Mac:
- Using iTunes:
- Open iTunes on your Mac.
- Go to the “File” menu and select “Add to Library” to import your .WMA file into iTunes.
- Once the file is imported, go to the “Music” section and locate the .WMA file.
- Right-click on the .WMA file and select “Create MP3 version” or “Convert to AAC” depending on your preference.
- iTunes will convert the file to the selected format, and you can find the converted version in your iTunes library.
Android:
- Using File Conversion Apps:
- Download and install a file conversion app from the Google Play Store, such as File Converter or Audio Converter.
- Open the app and select the .WMA file you want to convert.
- Choose the desired output format (e.g., MP3, AAC) from the available options.
- Tap on the “Convert” button to start the conversion process.
- Once the conversion is complete, you can find the converted file in the specified output folder.
iOS:
- Using Online Converters:
- Since iOS has limited native support for file conversion, you can use online conversion services through Safari or other web browsers.
- Open Safari or any other browser on your iOS device.
- Visit an online converter website like OnlineConvert.com or CloudConvert.com.
- Upload your .WMA file and select the desired output format (e.g., MP3, AAC).
- Follow the instructions to complete the conversion process.
- Once the conversion is finished, you can download the converted file to your iOS device.
Advantages And Disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Good audio quality, especially at higher bitrates.
- Efficient compression allows for smaller file sizes.
- Integrated with Windows operating systems and various media players.
- Support for DRM (Digital Rights Management) for copyright protection.
Disadvantages:
- Proprietary format, less widely supported outside of Windows ecosystem.
- Compatibility issues with some devices and media players.
- Lossy compression may result in some loss of audio quality.
- Limited popularity compared to more ubiquitous formats like MP3 or AAC.
How to Open WMA?
Open In Windows
.WMA files can be opened using Windows Media Player, Groove Music, or other native media players on Windows.
Open In Linux
On Linux, .WMA files can be played using third-party media players like VLC Media Player or through plugins for open-source players like Audacious.
Open In MAC
Mac users can use applications like VLC Media Player or QuickTime Player with third-party codecs installed to open .WMA files.
Open In Android
.WMA files can be played on Android devices using various media player apps available on the Google Play Store, such as VLC for Android or MX Player.
Open In IOS
Due to limited native support for .WMA files on iOS, users may need to use third-party apps like VLC for Mobile or Documents by Readdle to play .WMA files.
Open in Others
.WMA files can also be played on other platforms using compatible media player applications or by converting them to more widely supported formats like MP3 or AAC using conversion software or online converters.
