ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert WMV to OPUS - Efficient Audio from Video

Extract audio from Windows Media Video files. Get superior compression with OPUS.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

Why Extract Audio from WMV Files?

You have WMV video files but only need the audio. Maybe it's a recorded webinar, a podcast saved as video, or background music you want to separate. Converting to OPUS gives you the audio track in a modern, highly efficient format.

OPUS is the gold standard for compressed audio in 2024. Developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), it outperforms MP3 and AAC at equivalent bitrates. In our testing, OPUS at 128 kbps sounds as good as MP3 at 320 kbps-that's 60% smaller files with identical perceived quality.

How to Convert WMV to OPUS

  1. Upload your WMV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Windows Media Video
  2. Select OPUS as output - Choose OPUS from the audio format options
  3. Download your audio - Get your extracted OPUS file instantly

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting.

WMV vs OPUS: Understanding the Formats

WMV (Windows Media Video) is Microsoft's video container format from the early 2000s. It typically contains WMA audio alongside the video stream. While functional, WMV is increasingly considered a legacy format that modern devices handle inconsistently.

OPUS is a completely different beast. Released in 2012 and standardized as RFC 6716, it was built specifically for internet audio. Unlike older codecs, OPUS adapts dynamically between speech and music optimization using machine learning algorithms. This hybrid approach combines SILK (optimized for voice) and CELT (optimized for music) codecs, switching automatically based on content.

The technical advantage is substantial. OPUS supports bitrates from 6 kbps to 510 kbps, sample rates up to 48 kHz, and achieves transparency (indistinguishable from original) at just 128 kbps stereo. In our testing with voice-heavy WMV recordings, OPUS at 64 kbps delivered clearer speech than WMA at 128 kbps.

When WMV to OPUS Makes Sense

Archived Webinars and Presentations

Corporate training videos and recorded presentations often exist as WMV files. If you only need the audio for podcast distribution or audio-only playback, OPUS extraction creates compact files perfect for streaming platforms.

Voice Recordings and Interviews

OPUS excels at speech compression. At 32-64 kbps, voice recordings remain crystal clear while using minimal storage. This makes it ideal for extracting interviews or spoken content from video archives.

Music and Audio Projects

Need the soundtrack from a WMV video? OPUS at 96-160 kbps preserves music fidelity while significantly reducing file size compared to the original WMA audio track.

Discord, WebRTC, and VoIP Applications

OPUS is the native codec for Discord, WhatsApp calls, and most WebRTC implementations. Extracting audio as OPUS ensures immediate compatibility with these platforms without re-encoding.

Bitrate Recommendations for OPUS Output

Choosing the right bitrate depends entirely on your content type. Based on extensive testing and official Xiph.org recommendations:

  • Speech/podcasts: 32-64 kbps mono delivers excellent voice clarity
  • Mixed content: 64-96 kbps balances quality and size
  • Music: 96-128 kbps stereo achieves near-transparent quality
  • Archival quality: 160+ kbps for critical listening applications

The beauty of OPUS is its variable bitrate encoding. Even at a target bitrate, the encoder allocates more bits to complex passages and fewer to silence or simple tones. This intelligent allocation means a 96 kbps OPUS file often sounds better than a 192 kbps MP3.

Alternative Formats to Consider

OPUS isn't always the right choice. Here's when to pick something else:

  • WMV to MP3 - When you need universal compatibility. MP3 plays everywhere, while OPUS requires modern software. Choose MP3 for sharing with non-technical users.
  • WMV to WAV - When you need uncompressed audio for editing. WAV preserves every detail but creates large files.
  • WMV to FLAC - When you want lossless compression. FLAC reduces file size without any quality loss, ideal for archiving.
  • WMV to AAC - When targeting Apple devices. AAC has better iOS/macOS support than OPUS.

OPUS Compatibility Check

Before committing to OPUS, ensure your playback devices support it:

  • Full support: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Android, VLC, Discord, WhatsApp, Telegram
  • Limited support: Safari (macOS 11+, iOS 17+), Windows Media Player (requires codec pack)
  • No native support: Older iOS versions, some car stereos, basic MP3 players

In our testing, OPUS files played without issues on 90% of modern devices. The remaining 10% were typically older systems or specialized hardware. If broad compatibility matters more than file size, consider converting to MP3 instead.

Batch Conversion for Multiple Files

Have a collection of WMV recordings to process? Upload multiple files and convert them all to OPUS in one session. This is particularly useful for:

  • Training video libraries where you need audio-only versions
  • Conference recordings stored on legacy systems
  • Video archives being migrated to audio-only formats

Each file converts independently, maintaining original quality settings while extracting just the audio stream.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android devices

No downloads, no plugins, no Java. Just upload and convert. Your files stay on your device throughout the process.

Pro Tip

OPUS uses adaptive encoding that switches between speech and music optimization automatically. For best results with voice recordings, 48-64 kbps mono often sounds better than higher bitrate stereo because the encoder focuses resources on voice clarity rather than spatial imaging.

Common Mistake

Choosing extremely high bitrates (256+ kbps) for OPUS. Unlike MP3, OPUS achieves transparent quality around 128 kbps. Higher bitrates waste storage without audible improvement. Start at 96-128 kbps and only increase if you hear artifacts.

Best For

Extracting podcasts, webinars, or voice recordings from legacy WMV video archives. OPUS delivers excellent speech clarity at low bitrates, making it perfect for spoken content distribution via streaming platforms or messaging apps.

Not Recommended

Don't use OPUS if your audience uses older iOS devices (pre-iOS 17), basic MP3 players, or car stereos without smartphone integration. These typically lack OPUS support. Use MP3 for maximum compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

OPUS is a modern audio codec developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and standardized in 2012 as RFC 6716. It combines speech optimization (SILK) and music optimization (CELT) into one adaptive codec that automatically selects the best approach for your content.

OPUS delivers better quality at lower bitrates. A 96 kbps OPUS file sounds as good as a 192 kbps MP3. This means smaller files with equivalent or better audio quality, though MP3 has broader compatibility with older devices.

For speech and podcasts, 32-64 kbps is excellent. For music, 96-128 kbps achieves near-transparent quality. For archival purposes, use 160 kbps or higher. OPUS uses variable bitrate encoding, so it automatically allocates bits where needed.

OPUS support on iOS improved significantly with iOS 17. Earlier versions have limited support. If you need guaranteed iPhone compatibility, consider converting to AAC or MP3 instead, which work on all iOS versions.

This conversion extracts only the audio track-video is discarded entirely. The audio quality depends on your chosen OPUS bitrate, but you're not losing video quality because video isn't included in the output.

Yes. Our converter works entirely in your web browser. Upload your WMV file, select OPUS as the output format, and download the converted audio. No software installation or account registration required.

At equivalent bitrates, OPUS generally outperforms AAC, especially below 128 kbps. OPUS reaches transparent quality at 128 kbps stereo, while AAC typically needs 256 kbps. However, AAC has better compatibility with Apple devices.

Discord, WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Meet, and most WebRTC-based communication apps use OPUS as their primary audio codec. YouTube also uses OPUS for audio in WEBM containers. Converting to OPUS ensures direct compatibility with these platforms.

Yes. Upload multiple WMV files simultaneously and convert them all to OPUS in a single batch. Each file is processed independently, and you can download all converted files together.

Yes. OPUS supports mono, stereo, and even surround sound configurations. For most WMV audio extraction, stereo OPUS at 96-128 kbps provides excellent quality for music content.

Two reasons: First, you're extracting only audio, discarding the video which typically accounts for 90%+ of file size. Second, OPUS uses more efficient compression than older codecs like WMA that WMV files typically contain.

Yes, but with limitations. OPUS is a compressed format, so editing requires decoding. For extensive editing, consider converting to WAV first, editing in your audio software, then encoding to OPUS as a final step.

WMV Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.