WMV Files Not Playing in Your Browser?
Windows Media Video (WMV) was built for Windows PCs, not web browsers. When you try embedding WMV videos on websites or playing them in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, you hit a wall. Modern browsers simply do not support WMV playback natively.
WEBM solves this problem completely. Created specifically for web use, WEBM plays directly in every major browser without plugins. Converting your WMV files to WEBM makes them web-ready while often reducing file size by 30-50%.
How to Convert WMV to WEBM
- Upload your WMV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Windows Media Video
- Confirm WEBM output - WEBM is selected as your web-optimized target format
- Download your video - Get your browser-compatible video ready for web use
The entire process happens in your browser. No software downloads, no account creation, no waiting for email delivery.
Why WMV Struggles on the Modern Web
Microsoft developed WMV in 1999 as part of Windows Media framework. It was designed for Windows PCs at a time when web video barely existed. The format uses proprietary codecs that require specific software to decode.
Here is where WMV creates problems today:
- Web browsers - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge do not support WMV playback
- HTML5 video - WMV is not compatible with the HTML5 video element
- Mac and Linux - No native playback without additional software
- Mobile devices - iPhones and most Android devices cannot play WMV
- Streaming platforms - YouTube, Vimeo, and social media reject WMV uploads
In our testing, WMV files from the 2000s and early 2010s remain the most common legacy format users need to convert for web use.
WEBM: Built for the Web
Google released WEBM in 2010 as an open, royalty-free video format designed specifically for web delivery. It uses VP8 or VP9 video codecs paired with Vorbis or Opus audio, all optimized for streaming.
What makes WEBM ideal for web video:
- Native browser support - Plays in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera without plugins
- HTML5 compatible - Works directly with the video element
- Efficient compression - VP9 achieves 50% smaller files than older codecs at equal quality
- Fast streaming - Optimized for progressive download and adaptive streaming
- Open format - No licensing fees or proprietary restrictions
WMV vs WEBM: Technical Comparison
| Feature | WMV | WEBM |
|---|---|---|
| Year Released | 1999 | 2010 |
| Video Codec | Windows Media Video 9 | VP8 or VP9 |
| Audio Codec | WMA | Vorbis or Opus |
| Browser Support | None (natively) | All major browsers |
| File Size | Larger | 30-50% smaller typical |
| Licensing | Microsoft proprietary | Royalty-free, open |
| Web Streaming | Not supported | Optimized |
| HTML5 Support | No | Yes |
In our testing, a 100MB WMV file typically converts to 55-70MB in WEBM format while maintaining comparable visual quality. VP9 encoding achieves even better compression than VP8.
Common Use Cases
Website Video Embeds
You have business videos or tutorials in WMV format from years ago. Converting to WEBM lets you embed them on your website where they play instantly in any browser. No more asking visitors to download files.
Social Media Uploads
Platforms like Twitter, Discord, and many forums accept WEBM but reject WMV. Convert before uploading to ensure your videos post successfully.
Archiving Legacy Content
Old training videos, presentations, and corporate content often exist as WMV files. Converting to WEBM modernizes your archive while reducing storage requirements.
Cross-Platform Sharing
When you need to share videos with Mac or Linux users who cannot play WMV, WEBM provides universal playback. Send the converted file knowing it opens everywhere.
Quality Expectations
WMV to WEBM conversion involves re-encoding, which means the video gets compressed again. We use high-quality settings that preserve visual fidelity for typical viewing scenarios.
What to expect:
- 720p and below - Excellent quality retention, nearly indistinguishable from source
- 1080p content - Very good quality with VP9 encoding, minimal artifacts
- Text and graphics - Screen recordings and presentations convert cleanly
- Fast motion - Sports and action content maintains smooth playback
In our testing, VP9 encoding produces better results than VP8 for the same file size, especially at higher resolutions. Most conversions use VP9 by default.
When to Choose a Different Format
WEBM excels for web delivery, but other formats may suit specific needs better:
- WMV to MP4 - Choose MP4 when you need playback on iPhones, iPads, or older devices. MP4 has broader device compatibility than WEBM, though larger files.
- WMV to MKV - Choose MKV for archiving with multiple audio tracks or subtitles. MKV handles complex video structures better.
- WMV to MOV - Choose MOV for Apple ecosystem editing in Final Cut Pro or other Mac-based workflows.
For pure web streaming and embedding, WEBM remains the optimal choice due to browser support and file size efficiency.
Batch Conversion
Have multiple WMV files to convert? Upload them all at once and convert your entire collection to WEBM in a single batch. This saves time when modernizing video libraries or preparing multiple files for web publishing.
Each file converts independently, so you can download them as they complete rather than waiting for the entire batch.
Works on Any Device
Our converter runs entirely in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
- iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones
No software installation means no compatibility issues. If your browser supports JavaScript, the converter works.