Several free programs found online allow users to convert WMV to AVI. The process is a simple matter of selecting the software and following the instructions for conversion. Many individuals choose to convert WMV to AVI video so they can play these digital files on DVD or Blu-Ray players. Although most current models allow WMV playback, some manufacturers decline to include WMV support on their devices, making it necessary for some users to convert WMV to AVI.
WMV is short for Windows Media Video, a video compression codec designed primarily for better online video streaming. As the format grew in use and popularity, it slowly became an industry standard. The codec now sees use in physical media, such as high-definition DVDs and Blu-Ray discs. Many videos available for download, or those ripped from discs, come in WMV format.
Despite the popularity of the format, some players don't recognize digital files with the WMV codec. This can prove to be problematic for some owners who prefer to view their videos on their televisions with the use of a DVD or Blu-Ray player. In order to allow playback on these devices, users will need to convert WMV to AVI, an older and more universal video codec.
AVI, or Audio Video Interleave, is a container format that has seen continued use since its creation in late 1992. Its ability to contain both audio and video data with synchronous playback made it an immensely popular format at the time. The format is still widely used, and most video players on the market are compatible with it. This makes it an ideal file type for conversion from WMV.
Many programs are able to convert WMV to AVI. While a large number of these come from free downloads over the Internet, other programs come pre-packaged with a computer's operating system. Users who will need to download conversion programs should take great care in choosing which software to install into their systems, as malicious websites could be disguising their malware as legitimate programs. As a rule of thumb, users should download their software from reputable websites.
Once the program is installed, the user will have to follow specific instructions in order to convert WMV to AVI. Although the instructions may vary between programs, most of the conversion software available comes with detailed tutorials on how to convert WMV to AVI. Users should follow the instructions as closely as possible so as not to degrade the quality of the video files during conversion. After the conversion is finished, the new AVI file is ready for use.