Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

BeyondtheMacintosh · Jan 7, 2006, 03:05 AM

How do I convert WMV to MOV or AVI? I have some WMV files that I want to burn using iDVD, but iDVD is not going to burn WMV files. Can some one help me? I need something thats free, not all of this Flip4Mac crap that costs money.

Uncle Skeleton · Jan 7, 2006, 05:21 AM

I need something thats free, not all of this Flip4Mac crap that costs money.

Well you could always write the app yourself by reverse-engineering the various WMV codecs

gunga · 05:57 AM

Flip4Mac may cost money, but it certainly works.

RevEvs · Jan 7, 2006, 07:52 AM

FFMpegX - may work on some WMV's

albook · Jan 7, 2006, 09:57 AM

For WMV1 and 2 you should be able to convert them with FFmpegX, VLC or simular.
For WMV3 you need Flip4Mac

gunga · Jan 10, 2006, 08:29 PM

Flip4Mac is now available for free at:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win.../flip4mac.mspx

P · Jan 11, 2006, 03:15 PM

Nothing could have surprised me more than that. Apple and MS must be cozying up good recently - I wonder if this is part of a deal to give the iPod WMA support.

P · 03:26 PM

dupe

RevEvs · Jan 11, 2006, 03:33 PM

He wants to convert the files. Flip4Mac, the free version, I think that only lets you watch, not convert

BeyondtheMacintosh · Jan 17, 2006, 11:51 PM

I downloaded Flip4Mac and I tried burning it to discs with iDVD, right after the first video encoding, the disc ejected and there was a pop up window on iDVD saying "error during encode", so I guess I was right, there is just absolutely NO WAY to burn a WMV file on a Mac

MindFad · Jan 18, 2006, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by gunga

Flip4Mac is now available for free at:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win.../flip4mac.mspx

Holy crap. When did they buy 'em?

Meritocracy · Jan 18, 2006, 01:48 AM

Beyond, try rereading the thread....as stated earlier, the Flip4Mac free dowload is for VIEWING only. You'll have to pay for at least the ability to import/convert. Additionally, others have already commented on the fact that VLC and FFmpegX can already convert some forms of WMV.

@MindFad....MS hasn't purchased the company.

BeyondtheMacintosh · Jan 18, 2006, 05:07 PM

These are WMV3 files, VLC does not recognize those, besides, how do convert video files using VLC anyway?

headbirth · Jan 18, 2006, 05:30 PM

Does VLC require special libraries to be installed to do conversion? or are they bundled in the app?

Jacke · Jan 18, 2006, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by headbirth

Does VLC require special libraries to be installed to do conversion? or are they bundled in the app?

Pre-0.8.4:
File -> Open (not Quick open). Mark the 'Advanced output'-checkbox.

Post-0.8.4:
File -> Streaming/exporting wizard.

dru · Jan 18, 2006, 06:27 PM

Do you have QuickTime Pro? Can you open the .WMV and copy the portion of the film you'd like and paste it into a new movie and save/export as a .MOV? Certainly won't work with everything but it might suffice for your purposes.

Be careful with Flip4Mac, if you try to save an embedded movie I find it crashes Safari.

headbirth · Mar 20, 2006, 08:49 AM

Anyway to script VLC to do batch conversions?