| Windows Media Encoder | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Video and audio encoding software |
| License | Freeware |
Windows Media Encoder (WME) is a discontinued,freewaremediaencoder developed byMicrosoft which enables content developers to convert or capture both live and prerecorded audio, video, and computer screen images toWindows Media formats for live andon-demand delivery. It is the successor ofNetShow Encoder.[2] The download page reports that it is not supported onWindows 7.[1] WME has been replaced by a free version ofMicrosoft Expression Encoder. The Media 8 Encoding Utility is still listed. WME was available in both32-bit and64-bit versions.[3]
Windows Media Encoder 9 can encode video usingWindows Media Video version 7, 8 or 9.Audio encoding uses a number ofWindows Media Audio version 9.2 or version 10 (if the version 10 codecs are installed) profiles and a Windows Media Audio 9 Voicespeech codec. Content can also be created as uncompressed audio or video.
Windows Media Encoder 9 enablestwo-pass encoding to optimize quality for on-demand (streamed or download-and-play) content. It also supportsvariable bitrate (VBR) encoding for download-and-play scenarios. True VBR can be applied over the entire duration of a high-motion sequence, ensuring the highest quality. This version also enables scripted encoding with the wmcmd.vbsVBScript file, allowing content developers to encode large numbers of prerecorded media files. Bundled with the program are the applications Windows Media File Editor, Windows Media Profile Editor, and Windows Media Stream Editor.
The GUI encoder application is actually a "wrapper" of theencoder itself. Developers can write their own applications usingVisual Studio to perform the same functions found in the application. These applications can be used to automate audio and video production. An SDK is also available.[4]
With the removal ofWindows Media DRM in theWindows 10 Anniversary Update, Windows Media Encoder 9 is no longer compatible with the current version of Windows as of May 2017.
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Windows Media Encoder Studio Edition[9] was a separate planned version of Windows Media Encoder 9 with support for segment encoding and multiple audio channels. After beta 1, it was eventually cancelled. Microsoft later released the commercial application,Expression Encoder as part of itsExpression Studio suite.