WTV to WMV Converter
Convert WTV to WMV online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.
Maximum file size is 1GB
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Three steps to your converted file
Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.
Upload your file
Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.
Choose an output format
Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.
Convert & download
Hit Convert and grab your download link moments later. Originals are erased when the job completes; results are cleared within about an hour.
What is a WTV file?
The WTV (Windows Recorded TV Show) format is a proprietary video container developed by Microsoft for recording television content via Windows Media Center, replacing the earlier DVR-MS format. It utilizes the Stream Buffer Engine (SBE) architecture to allow simultaneous recording and playback. The container typically encapsulates MPEG-2 or H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video streams and MPEG-1 Layer II or Dolby Digital AC-3 audio, often including extensive metadata and DRM restrictions to enforce broadcast copyright policies.
How to open a WTV file
WTV files are designed for Windows Media Center, which is discontinued in Windows 10 and 11, though the files may still play in standard Windows Media Player if the content is not DRM-encrypted. For reliable playback on modern systems or non-Windows platforms, VLC media player is the primary solution for non-encrypted WTV files. Encrypted WTV files generally cannot be opened by third-party software and require the original recording hardware environment.
WTV Technical Info
- Full Name
- Windows Recorded TV Show
- Developed By
- Microsoft
- Initial Release
- 2008
- MIME Type
- video/wtv
What is a WMV file?
Windows Media Video (WMV) refers to a series of video codecs and their corresponding coding formats developed by Microsoft, typically encapsulated in the Advanced Systems Format (ASF) container. The format evolved through several iterations (WMV7, WMV8), culminating in WMV9, which was standardized by SMPTE as VC-1 (SMPTE 421M). WMV utilizes inter-frame compression and was originally designed for internet streaming applications and the Windows Media framework, supporting variable bit rate (VBR) and digital rights management (DRM).
How to open a WMV file
WMV files open natively in Microsoft Windows environments via Windows Media Player and the Movies & TV app. On macOS, native support is absent, requiring third-party tools such as VLC media player or the legacy Flip4Mac component for QuickTime. Cross-platform suites like MPlayer and DivX Player also support the ASF container and VC-1 codec family required to render WMV content.
WMV Technical Info
- Full Name
- Windows Media Video
- Developed By
- Microsoft
- Initial Release
- 1999
- MIME Type
- video/x-ms-wmv
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Why RunConvert
The fastest way to convert any file
Purpose-built for speed, privacy, and breadth of format support.
Convert WTV to WMV in seconds
Every WTV to WMV conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.
Fast, cloud-powered
No queue, no waiting. Files are processed on high-performance servers and returned in seconds, even for large files.
Secure & private
Encrypted in transit and never shared with anyone. Uploads are erased the moment your job completes, and results shortly after.
Free - no account needed
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Developer API
Convert WTV to WMV via API
Automate WTV to WMV conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.
# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"tag": "wtv-to-wmv",
"tasks": {
"upload-file": {
"operation": "import/upload"
},
"convert": {
"operation": "convert",
"input": "upload-file",
"output_format": "wmv"
},
"export-result": {
"operation": "export/url",
"input": "convert"
}
}
}'
# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.wtv
# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.