to create a windows media file:
1. click start and select programs.
2. select windows media.
3. select windows media encoder.
the windows media encoder welcome window displays.
4. click to select the broadcast, capture, or convert a file using the new session wizard radio button.
5. click ok.
the new session wizard window displays.
6. click to select the convert an audio or video file into a windows media file radio button.
7. click next.
the file selection window displays.
8. enter the path to the avi file created in chapter 6. you can use the browse button to look for the file.
9. enter the path of the new wmv file. by default, it will be created in the same directory as the avi file.
10. click next.
the output file distribution window displays.
11. click to select the file will stream from a web server or play directly on a computer radio button.
12. click next.
the profile selection window displays.
13. select a profile selection setting that is best suited for your viewing audience.
this setting optimizes your video for the selected target audience.
14. click next.
the display information window displays.
15. enter information about your video clip.
16. click next.
the settings review window displays.
17. click finish to begin creation of the windows media file.
18. the windows media encoder window will appear, along with an information dialog.
the information dialog window displays.
19. click ok. the encoder will start encoding the video and it will be visible in the window as it encodes.
20. when the encoder finishes encoding, the encoding results window will appear, showing the results of the encode.
the encoding results window displays.
21. click close to close the encoding results window.
22. click session and select exit to exit the windows media encoder.
23. click no when prompted to save the session settings.
you have successfully created a windows media file from an avi file. to view the clip, simply double click on the wmv file that you created, and it displays in the windows media player.
the video looks different as a windows media clip as opposed to an avi clip. this is because the windows media compresses the video for easy viewing over the internet. this is part of the encoding process. if you exit the windows media, and look at the windows media file size, you should notice the file size is significantly smaller.