File Extension

WMA File Format

Audio file in Microsoft Windows Media format

WMA file format icon

WMA is a file extension used with Windows Media Player. WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. WMA is both an audio format and an audio codec. WMA was intended to be a competitor for the MP3 and RealAudio audio formats.

There are 4 versions of the WMA codec:

  • WMA is the original codec, and was initially released in 1999.
  • WMA Pro is an improved lossy codec intended for audio professionals, though it is limited by the current range of hardware and software needed to support the codec.
  • WMA Lossless is a lossless codec intended for archival and storage purposes. Using VBR, it can compress the audio file without any loss of quality.
  • WMA Voice is a lossy codec that was designed for low bandwith voice playback applications.

MIME type :audio/x-ms-wma

 

Learn more about .WMA files:
Visit Windows Media Audio on Wikipedia.
See answers to questions about image and media files at ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

This was last updated in July 2010
Editorial Director Margaret Rouse
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Definitions

  • Windows Media Player (WMP)

    - Windows Media Player (WMP) is a software application from Microsoft used to play, store and organize digital audio, images and video.

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