What is WMA

WMA

What is WMA

Windows Media Audio (WMA) is an audio data compression technology developed by Microsoft. The name can be used to refer to its audio file format or its audio codecs. It is a proprietary technology that forms part of the Windows Media framework. WMA consists of four distinct codecs. The original WMA codec, known simply as WMA, was conceived as a competitor to the popular MP3 and RealAudio codecs. WMA Pro, a newer and more advanced codec, supports multichannel and high resolution audio. A lossless codec, WMA Lossless, compresses audio data without loss of audio fidelity (the regular WMA format is not lossless).And WMA Voice, targeted at voice content, applies compression using a range of low bit rates.

Applications of WMA

Microsoft claims that audio encoded with WMA sounds better than MP3 at the same bit rate; Microsoft also claims that audio encoded with WMA at lower bit rates sound better than MP3 at higher bit rates. Double blind listening tests with other lossy audio codecs have shown varying results, from failure to support Microsoft's claims about its superior quality to supremacy over other codecs. One independent test conducted in May 2004 at 128 kbit/s showed that WMA was roughly equivalent to LAME MP3; inferior to AAC and Vorbis; and superior to ATRAC3.

Related Software

Video Converter Factory Pro; it is the easy-to-use video conversion software that you can easily do the converting process among popular video/audio formats (including HD video and flash video) with lossless video quality. It can easily convert all popular audio formats to WMA. It offers super fast video converting speed, stable converting process and excellent video quality. What's more, its additional features enable you to convert videos more flexibly.

Related Source

WMV MP3 M4A AAC MKA AC3

Related External Source

How to Convert WMA to AAC