Encoding Content with Windows Media Encoder

Windows Media Encoder 9 Series is the tool for compressing audio and video content into Windows Media Format so that is suitable for streaming over the Internet, downloading onto users’ computers, or playing back on hardware devices. Using the encoder consists of three basic steps:

1. Choosing a source. For example, you can capture content from devices such as a VCR or video camera, or you can convert files from one format or bit rate into Windows Media Format.

2. Choosing your target destination and audio and video quality settings. Are you targeting a download-and-play scenario? Do you plan to stream the content? Or are you creating a high-quality archive? The encoder includes many predefined destination, video, and audio settings (profiles) that enable you to easily target your content for delivery to a variety of destinations, including set-top boxes, personal digital assistants (PDA), CD and DVD, and, of course, the Internet. The encoder also has a number of features that enable you to adjust and refine the predefined profiles to ensure that your encoded content meets your needs.

3. Selecting the distribution method. You can encode content to a file or broadcast it live, either directly from the encoder or from a Windows Media server.

Windows Media Encoder is available for download to any licensed user of Microsoft Windows.