I just downloaded some music videos today that were in the .asf format. I know Windows Media Player plays them, but I really want a better solution. Neither QuickTime nor VLC will open them. Better yet, if anyone knows how I could convert them to some flavor of a .mov or a mpeg that would be nice.
playing/converting .asf files?
- Thread starter kommakazi
- Start date
cockneygeezer
Registered
Dear kommakazi,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but...
1. Only Windows Media Player plays .asf files.
2. Once a media file is .asf, they cannot be converted in to any other format. I have tried. Not even the mighty Discreet Cleaner can convert them.
3. There might be a third party shareware out there that does it, but unfortunately, I don't know any, sorry.
You can thank Microsoft for this, roll on Media Player 9
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but...
1. Only Windows Media Player plays .asf files.
2. Once a media file is .asf, they cannot be converted in to any other format. I have tried. Not even the mighty Discreet Cleaner can convert them.
3. There might be a third party shareware out there that does it, but unfortunately, I don't know any, sorry.
You can thank Microsoft for this, roll on Media Player 9
It can be done!
But you need a Windoze PC (or Virtual PC) to do it.
Besides that, you need the freeware program VirtualDub 1.3c (any later version will NOT do it)
The way to do it is described on http://www.smtips.com/asftompegmoviewin9598.html and the Program can be downloaded at http://www.divx-digest.com/articles/asf2avi.html
- - - The box said "Requires Windows98 or better!" so I got a Mac!
But you need a Windoze PC (or Virtual PC) to do it.
Besides that, you need the freeware program VirtualDub 1.3c (any later version will NOT do it)
The way to do it is described on http://www.smtips.com/asftompegmoviewin9598.html and the Program can be downloaded at http://www.divx-digest.com/articles/asf2avi.html
- - - The box said "Requires Windows98 or better!" so I got a Mac!
Parsing (read. decoding) ASF files is illegal as only Microsoft or licensed (read none) products can do it. There are some obscure apps out there that can do it, but all that devs I know of have been 'contacted' by Microsoft to discourage further development or even acknowledgment.
This has something to do with security by obscurity as well as built-in DRM stuff, plus some good ol Microsoft aberrant behaviour thrown in.
AFAIK, licensed programs can *generate* ASF files (read, Media Cleaner and others) but not read them. How people put up with this amount of crap doesn't cease to amaze me.
dani++
This has something to do with security by obscurity as well as built-in DRM stuff, plus some good ol Microsoft aberrant behaviour thrown in.
AFAIK, licensed programs can *generate* ASF files (read, Media Cleaner and others) but not read them. How people put up with this amount of crap doesn't cease to amaze me.
dani++
