What are reliable AVI to WMV converters? Try MiniTool Video Converter, VLC Media Player, and CloudConvert. This article also compares AVI and WMV in terms of usage, compatibility, compression efficiency, video quality, streaming performance, and editing compatibility.

AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) is a multimedia container format developed by Microsoft for storing audio and video. It has strong compatibility. However, AVI files are typically large because the video within may be uncompressed or use inefficient encoding. It supports both lossy and lossless compression.

WMV (Windows Media Video) is a proprietary video container format developed by Microsoft based on the ASF container. It is smaller than AVI files and supports DRM copyright protection. WMV offers limited editing flexibility.

How to Convert AVI to WMV

Sometimes, users want to convert WMV to AVI; while in other cases, they’d like to start the conversion from WMV to AVI. Therefore, both the AVI to WMV converter and WMV to AVI converter are needed. In this part, I’ll introduce 3 useful converters for you. Please choose the best one according to your actual needs.

  • MiniTool Video Converter
  • VLC Media Player
  • CloudConvert

How to convert AVI to WMV using the converters above? The following is an easy guide.

Quick Steps:

  • Access a conversion interface
  • Add an AVI Video
  • Set WMV
  • Start the conversion
  • Check the output video

#1 MiniTool Video Converter

MiniTool Video Converter is an efficient AVI to WMV converter. Apart from this, it also supports 1,000+ formats. Moreover, this converter can convert videos up to 4K resolution. If you need to customize advanced parameters, you can preset resolution, frame rate, and bitrate on MiniTool Video Converter. Below is a detailed guide on how to convert AVI to WMV using this desktop program.

1. Get MiniTool Video Converter

Download and install MiniTool Video Converter. Then, open this application.

MiniTool Video ConverterClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

2. Upload an AVI Video

Click Add Files to import an AVI file.

3. Specify WMV as the Converted Format

Click the Gear icon to open the output format window. There, switch to Video, and choose a resolution option, like HD 1080P.

4. Start the Conversion Process

Click Convert to begin the conversion.

5. Check the Result

Click the Folder icon to locate the converted video.

MiniTool Video Converter output format window showing how to set WMV as the output format in the Convert Video tab.

MiniTool Video Converter also supports batch video conversion. Besides, this converter allows you to convert formats to be compatible with YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and Instagram.

#2 VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a widely used video player with over 96 million downloads. It can also be used to convert video and audio file formats, including WMV to AVI, MKV to MP4, AVI to WebM, and more. This software is free and open-source and runs on any operating system. Let’s see how to use VLC to convert WMV to AVI.

1. Go to the official website of VLC: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ and download the VLC installer. Then run the installer and complete the installation.

2. Open VLC. Go to Media > Convert / Save or press “Ctrl + R” to get the input media window.

3. Click the + Add… to add the WMV file to the File Selection. Click the Convert / Save button to continue.

4. Click this icon to create a new profile. In the Profile Edition window, enter the profile name “AVI” and choose AVI in the Encapsulation tab. Change the video codec and audio codec as needed. After that, click the Create button to save the profile.

5. Expand the profile list and select the newly-created profile. Click Browse to specify a save folder.

6. In the end, press the Start button. When the conversion process is over, open the destination folder to check the converted video.

VLC Media Player Convert window showing how to set WMV as the output format.

VLC Media Player can play most multimedia files, such as those from CDs, webcams, devices, and streaming protocols. Due to its numerous features, VLC's interface can be somewhat difficult for users to understand.

#3 CloudConvert

CloudConvert is a web-based AVI to WMV converter without downloading and installing. It also supports over 200 formats, including video, audio, image, document, and more. Furthermore, this online converter enables you to customize codec, bitrate, and resolution. Here’s how:

1. Go to https://cloudconvert.com/avi-to-wmv directly.

2. Click on the Select File button -> navigate to the location where the AVI video is saved -> select the AVI file -> click Open. You can also select files by URL or from Google Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive.

3. Click on the Convert button to start the process. (You can also click on the Add more Files button to add other files you want to convert).

4. Wait for a while until you find the status has turned into FINISHED.

5. Now, click on the Download button and follow the instructions to save the converted file to a safe place.

The interface of CloudConvert.

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AVI vs WMV: Key Differences

How are WMV and AVI different? Read the following 6 aspects to learn the detailed comparison.

  • Usage: WMV is ideal for online sharing because it prioritizes smaller file sizes. Conversely, AVI is better for local editing due to its high video quality.
  • Compatibility: WMV works seamlessly with Windows and built-in Microsoft media tools. AVI offers broader system support, running smoothly on macOS and Linux.
  • Compression Efficiency: WMV uses efficient codecs to save storage and bandwidth. AVI has low compression efficiency, resulting in much larger files.
  • Video Quality: AVI retains original video details, making it a favorite for editors. WMV compresses files, but the quality loss is barely noticeable.
  • Streaming Performance: WMV streams smoothly with fast buffering, even on unstable networks. AVI tends to stutter online and performs best during local playback.
  • Editing Compatibility: AVI is widely supported by professional video editing applications. WMV has limited editing support and usually requires prior conversion.

Conclusion

This article shows 3 useful AVI to WMV converters, including MiniTool Video Converter, VLC Media Player, and CloudConvert.

If you have any questions or suggestions about MiniTool Video Converter, feel free to contact MiniTool via email at support@minitool.com for help.

People Also Ask

Why convert AVI to WMV?
AVI files are typically large in size and have low compression efficiency. Converting AVI to WMV results in a smaller file. WMV format also works well on Windows systems and older versions of Microsoft PowerPoint.
Will converting AVI to WMV reduce video quality?
Yes. WMV uses lossy compression to reduce file size, and the conversion will result in some loss of video quality. To minimize this loss, you can adjust the parameters before conversion.
Can WMV files be used for professional video editing?
It is not recommended. Many video editors are not compatible with WMV. You can convert WMV to another format before editing. In comparison, AVI is more suitable for editing projects.
Is the WMV format supported on Mac and Linux systems?
The WMV format works best on Windows systems. However, its compatibility is poor. The AVI format has better compatibility.
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About The Author

Juniper

Position: Columnist

Juniper is a technical writer and specialist in audio-visual processing, dedicated to simplifying complex workflows. She provides expert analysis and practical guides on format conversion, video compression, speech-to-text, and screen recording. Besides, Juniper provides efficient operating methods through software testing, aiming to help users accurately solve technical problems.

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