The Advanced Systems Format (ASF) is the file format used by Windows Media. Audio and/or Video content compressed with a wide variety of codecs can be stored in an ASF file and played back with the Windows Media Player (provided the appropriate codecs are installed), streamed with Windows Media Services or optionally packaged with Windows Media Rights Manager.
The Advanced Systems Format (ASF) is an extensible file format designed to store synchronized multimedia data. It supports data delivery over a wide variety of networks and protocols while still proving suitable for local playback. ASF supports advanced multimedia capabilities including extensible media types, component download, scaleable media types, author-specified stream prioritization, multiple language support, and extensive bibliographic capabilities, including document and content management.
Hardware or software developers that wish to create or read ASF structured files, may download the ASF Specification from this web site.
Windows software developers are encouraged to use the available Windows Media SDKs, which include support for creating and reading Windows Media content including ASF files.
Hardware or software developers may also wish to license the Windows Media Format Components which can enable Windows Media Codec and ASF support on any desktop platform or device. See the new Windows Media Format licensing program for details.
Download the Specification Now! (244 KB – 2 mins @ 28.8 kb)
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