Windows Media Audio

This article is about audio encoding and decoding software. For the container file format, see .wma.
Windows Media Audio
Filename extension
.wma
Internet media typeaudio/x-ms-wma
Developed byMicrosoft
Initial releaseAugust 17, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-08-17)[1]
Type of formatAudio
Open format?No
Free format?No

Windows Media Audio (WMA) is a series of audio codecs and their corresponding audio coding formats developed by Microsoft. 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.[2][3] WMA Pro, a newer and more advanced codec, supports multichannel and high-resolution audio.[4] A lossless codec, WMA Lossless, compresses audio data without loss of audio fidelity (the regular WMA format is lossy).[4] WMA Voice, targeted at voice content, applies compression using a range of low bit rates.[4] Microsoft has also developed a digital container format called Advanced Systems Format to store audio encoded by WMA.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference wmt4-release was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Smith, Tony (1999-03-12). "Microsoft readies MP3-killer digital music format". The Register. Archived from the original on 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  3. ^ "Analysis of the Microsoft Audio Codec". RealNetworks. Archived from the original on 2007-08-18. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  4. ^ a b c "Windows Media 9 Series Capabilities and Benefits Overview". International Narcotics Control Board. Archived from the original (DOC) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-16.