Convert .WMA into .WAV Files - Fast, Free and Secure. We also have information of .WMA and .WAV Files extensions on this page.
- Information about WMA |
File extension |
wma |
File category |
Audio |
Stands for |
Windows Media Audio |
Developer |
Microsoft |
Overview |
It is an audio file format which is proprietary or closed source software. It is available in four different versions. First one is the original WMA codec. This gives competition to the MP3 and it came into existence in 1999. Next is WMA Pro which is an advanced and new codec. It uses lossy compression but provides audios of high resolution. The third is WMA lossless codec and it encodes audio without losing any information. Lastly, there is WMA Voice which is again a lossy compression and it was developed for audios with low bandwidth or low bit rates. Microsoft has developed an advanced systems format which is used by ‘Windows Media Audio' to store encoded audios. Metadata objects like the album, the genre of track and title; etc. can also be added in this codec. The prime use of this extension by users is streaming on the internet. |
Technical description |
Microsoft has various claims about this codec. Firstly, it was alleged that at 64kbps this format will deliver the same quality of audio as of CD. This was rejected at the end. The second claim is that it gives better sound quality than MP3 at the same bit rate. Thirdly, it was professed that this extension provides a similar quality of audio at a lower bit rate than MP3 at a higher bit rate. Apart from this, there is an option available for this container i.e. DRM(Digital rights management) and this option is completely elective. One may or may not choose this choice. A number of software support this format like Windows media player, Microsoft expression encoder; etc. |
Links |
wikipedia.org |
- Information about WAV |
File extension |
wav |
File category |
Audio |
Stands for |
Waveform Audio File Format |
Developer |
Microsoft and IBM |
Overview |
WAV or WAVE is an audio format which was developed to store audio files on personal computers. These files include music, spoken or speech audios and sound effects. The size of the files in this codec is very large as it does not use a lossy format like MP3. This is the main reason why this format has lost its popularity. Due to its size, it is hard to transfer files over the internet which had resulted in less acceptance. This format is supported by many programs like a window Media player. Therefore, these audio files can be played using aforesaid software. One can not completely ignore this format as it provides high quality of audios. Due to this, it is used for radio broadcasting. |
Technical description |
This format supports metadata that is why we can add details using information chunk. Data in this codec is stored in chunks as it is an application of RIFF(Resource interchange file format). Furthermore, LPCM(Linear pulse code modulation) is the most common, uncompressed audio format in this, but it can also store compressed audio like MP3. Also, it is especially used by professionals as LPCM audio format offers a maximum quality. Only files up to 4 GB are supported by this format which is one of the limitations in this format. This is because of 32-bit unsigned integer which carries the file size header. To overcome this, W64 format came into existence which can record long audios as it enables 64-bit header. |
Links |
wikipedia.org |