Windows Media Tools
Content creation tools
The following list describes the Windows Media Tools that you can use to create ASF content:
Windows Media Encoder. Turns content (such as live output from a microphone or a video camera or stored media files) into an ASF stream or file. Windows Media Encoder converts and compresses audio content, video content, and script commands into ASF content using state-of-the-art compression technologies.
Windows Media Plug-In for Adobe Premiere. Provides easy compression and conversion of your video files into ASF from within Adobe Premiere. For more information, see Adobe Premiere Help.
Windows Media Author. Provides a graphical interface for combining and synchronizing audio and image files. Windows Media Author can display a simulation of your .asf file before you create it. Windows Media Author supports multiple target bandwidths and script commands
Windows Media Presenter for Microsoft PowerPoint 97. An add-in tool for use with PowerPoint that, along with Windows Media Encoder, helps you turn a PowerPoint presentation into an ASF stream.
Windows Media Publish to ASF for Microsoft PowerPoint 97. An add-in tool that turns your PowerPoint presentation with narrations into an .asf file.
VidToASF. A command-line utility that converts .avi or .mov files into .asf files. Use a command-line option to specify script files that add markers, invoke URLs, and execute script commands.
WavToASF. A command-line utility that converts .wav or .mp3 files into .asf files. Use a command-line option to specify script files that add markers, invoke URLs, and execute script commands.
Content management tools
Along with content creation tools and utilities, the following tools are provided to help you manage your .asf files after they have been created:
Windows Media ASF Indexer. A graphical tool for editing .asf files. Use Windows Media ASF Indexer to add indexing, properties, markers, and scripts to an existing .asf file and to trim the beginning and ending portions of the .asf file.
ASFChop. A command-line utility for editing .asf files. Use ASFChop to add markers, scripts, and properties to an .asf file or to delete time periods from an .asf file.
ASFCheck. A command-line utility for verifying .asf file formats. ASFCheck can identify problems within an .asf file and effect repairs when possible.
Hardware and software requirements for using Windows Media Tools
The following Windows Media Tools depend on other hardware and software to function correctly. Make sure you have met these requirements before attempting to use the tool.
Windows Media Encoder
To encode live content, the computer on which you install Windows Media Encoder must contain:
A sound card to encode audio
A video capture card to encode video (optional)
You do not need either of these cards to encode an .avi, .wav, or .mp3 file to an .asf file.
The input jacks on the audio and video cards receive the live data and then transmit it to Windows Media Encoder. For example, to multicast a live speech, you must plug the output from a video camera into the input jack on the video card and plug the output from the microphone into either the audio input jack on the video card or the input jack on the sound card (whichever card the encoder is going to use). The encoder acknowledges these input sources, receives the input, and encodes the audio and video into an ASF stream that is then delivered to a Windows Media server.
If you are planning to use multiple bit rate video to encode live content at multiple bandwidths, your encoding computer's processor must meet the following minimum requirements:
Dual Processor Intel Pentium II operating at 266Mhz
Single Processor Intel Pentium II operating at 400Mhz
For the best results when encoding live content at multiple bandwidths, the following processors are recommended:
Single processor Intel Pentium III operating at 450Mhz
Dual Processor Intel Pentium II operating at 400Mhz
Windows Media ASF Indexer
If you plan to use Windows Media ASF Indexer to add indexes, markers, script commands, and properties to existing .asf files, you must install Microsoft Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player is also necessary to render ASF content.