Member Avatar for dlacloche

I'm Trying to convert a .mov into a .wmv using Windows Media Encoder, but I don't have the right codec to open the .mov.

What do I do?

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Windows Media Encoder failing to open a .mov usually means the MOV container holds a codec WME does not know. MOV is just a wrapper — the actual video/audio streams might be H.264/AAC, DV, ProRes, etc. needs to identify those streams first before trying to force WME to read the file.

Check the file’s actual codecs with a tool that reads container metadata rather than relying on Windows codecs. VLC (Tools -> Codec Information) or MediaInfo will show the video and audio formats. MediaInfo is especially clear about codec names and profiles: MediaInfo.

If the streams are common (H.264/AAC) use a converter instead of trying to install extra system codecs. VLC can convert .mov to .wmv via Media -> Convert/Save and select or create an ASF/WMV profile. For command-line, FFmpeg reliably transcodes to a WMV file; an example command that produces a WMV with Windows Media codecs is:

ffmpeg -i input.mov -c:v wmv2 -b:v 1500k -c:a wmav2 output.wmv

Adjust bitrate and filenames as needed. FFmpeg and VLC are maintained and avoid the registry/codec conflicts that codec packs can introduce: FFmpeg and VLC.

Notes and cautions: codec packs (as suggested by ) can sometimes solve playback problems but may create system-wide conflicts; they are a last resort. Installing legacy QuickTime for Windows is not recommended because it is unsupported and has known security issues. If the MOV uses pro codecs (ProRes, DNxHD), use FFmpeg/VLC to transcode to a modern delivery format (H.264/MP4) or to WMV only if WMV is specifically required. The approaches above avoid brittle system codec changes and give repeatable, auditable results — which is usually safer and more future-proof than relying on Windows Media Encoder alone.

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Member Avatar for Xlphos

Hello dlacloche

This may work WinFF I use it to covert flash videos it may work for you aswell. Just select the file you want to convert and select covert to WMV and convert.

- Let me know if it works or if you want heklp using it. Happy Encoding.

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