How To Convert MP4 To WMV
Posted On September 19, 2013
Video Converters 101
Using RealPlayer to play and convert your video files is a convenient way to transfer files to multiple devices or repost them online. With a few simple steps you can download, convert, and transfer or repost files. Frequently, videos posted on popular sites like YouTube are in the form of MP4 files. While MP4 is a popular video format, those using a Windows PC, tablet, or smartphone may prefer to save videos as Windows Media Videos (WMV) files. It’s easy to convert MP4 files into WMV videos with a few clicks of the mouse. No extensive tech skills are required! First, you will need to download RealPlayer for free. If you don’t already have it installed on your computer, just click on the orange button in the upper right corner of this page to download and install it now.
| Convert MP4 to WMV Free |
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Use RealPlayer to convert MP4 files to WMV and watch those videos on more Windows based devices. |
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5 STEPS TO CONVERT MP4 TO WMV
1. Once RealPlayer is installed, the next thing you need to do is download the mp4 file you want to convert and save it in the RealPlayer library. Open RealPlayer and select Library. In the Video section of the library you will see the downloaded MP4 file. Select that file to convert.
2. After you have chosen the file you want to convert, click on it and select the More option from the popup menu that appears. Next, select the Convert option. The file will appear in the popup conversion box.
3. Click on the Convert to dropdown menu and choose WMV from the Select a Device menu. (Note: If WMV is not in the menu options, select Video Formats from the Select a Device drop down menu.) If you want to save the file to somewhere other than the RealPlayer Library you can choose the place from the Save in dropdown menu located directly below the Convert to menu.
4. Once WMV has been selected, click Ok. Next, select the big green Start button. In a few seconds the conversion will be done. A Conversion Complete box will pop up when the process is finished.
5. Now the WMV file is ready to transfer to a mobile device or upload online. If you want to share your video through sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, or email all you have to do is select the converted file and click on the arrow for the drop down menu next to Post to Twitter under the Task section of the RealPlayer Library. Select your posting destination. You will be prompted to enter your username/email address and passwords to complete the process.
Repeat the steps for any additional files you want to convert to save or post online. You can also select multiple videos and convert them as a batch. If you have any questions about converting your MP4 files or any other types of files, please leave a comment below. We’re happy to answer all your video conversion questions.
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Am asking for real player set up
You can download the latest version of RealPlayer from: http://www.real.com
I have upgraded to Realplayer 16, and can no longer convert mp4 videos to mp3 audio only files. I am using Windows Vista. Could that be my problem? Should I downgrade back to 15? Please help, I’ve spent countless hours trying to figure out my problem to no avail. Thanks for any help you can give.
Please provide us some more information:
1. From which website did you download the videos?
2. Does this happen for all the videos you downloaded?
3. What exactly happens when you try to convert the file?
4. Do you get any error messages?
The more specific you are, the better we will be able to assist you.
1.I downloaded videos from YouTube.
2. Yes, it happens for all videos I’ve downloaded from YouTube since upgrading to Realplayer 16.
3.Once it downloads, I’ll click on Convert to MP3, it then says Waiting to convert to MP3 only, after which it says Failed to Convert.
Performing a clean uninstall and reinstall can help you resolve many issues, to do so follow this link: https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23994572
Note: Make sure you delete the RealPlayer folders as mentioned on the link before reinstalling RealPlayer.
After installing RealPlayer follow the steps to enable the RealPlayer Plugin in your web browser,
https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23689856
Some sites have introduced a new streaming standard. The latest build of RealDownloader is designed to automatically convert the videos to playable .MP4 format at the end of the download. Hence, while downloading the videos, you need to wait until the thumbnail of the video gets loaded in RealDownloader. After the thumbnail gets loaded the video will be saved as playable .MP4 format. Then try converting the videos to .MP3 format.
If that doesn’t help, send an email to help@real.com to assist you better.
I upgraded to RealPlayer 16. When I try to convert MP4 to WMV, the RealCoverter prompts me to upgrade despite the fact that it too got upgraded to version 16 when I did the upgrade to RealPlayer. The coverter doesn’t work!
You need to sign in on the RealPlayer free version to activate RealPlayer Plus.
To sign in on RealPlayer,
>Open RealPlayer
>Click on RealPlayer logo at the top left corner.
>Select Sign in from the drop down menu.
>Sign in with your email address and password.
Once you are signed in and installed Plus features, try converting the video.
If this doesn’t work, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.
when I convert from MP4 to WMV, I lose audio. I am running Windows 8 and IE 10. Any suggestions as to why?
Sorry you are unable to convert videos! Please provide us some more information:
1. Does this happen with all .MP4 videos? (MP4 or FLV)
2. From which website did you download the videos?
3. Are you using latest version of RealPlayer?
4. Did you try converting the video to different format?
The more specific you are, the better we will be able to assist you.
I foolishly believed the information (that your free software download would convert an MP4 file to WMV) presented at your website:
http://realnetworks.wpengine.com/convert-mp4-to-wmv/
I downloaded the software, installed it, and then attempted to make the conversion. That didn’t work, all it would do was open windows that asked if I wanted to purchase additional software products. When I read the comments at the lower portion of the same website, one stated that I had to be ‘signed in’. I did that, the converter would still not work. Then I completely shut down my computer, then restarted it, started Realplayer, and signed in again. Same result.
In my opinion, your website provides false information. It is my own fault for believing what I read on the Internet. Thank you for reinforcing my lesson.
I now at least realize the Realplayer is software that I want to avoid in the future.
Sorry for the confusion! Some file requires Plus feature to play/convert. Try installing QuickTime/iTunes to enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert .MP4 files.
1: QuickTime : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
or
2: iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
After installing QuickTime/iTunes, try playing/converting the files through RealPlayer. Signing into RealPlayer is necessary to unlock premium features for RealPlayer Plus customers. Hence, it is not required for free customers.
If you have additional questions, send an email to help@real.com
Thanks for the heads up, great post.
Scam! I have tried to convert MP4 files to .WMV format BUT they re-direct you to purchase the paying version of RealPlayer…. Nice one! It has been on my computer 10 minutes and I am going to uninstall it right now. Good bye!
How frustrating! Some file requires Plus feature to play/convert. Try installing QuickTime/iTunes to enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert .mp4 files.
1: QuickTime : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
or
2: iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
After installing QuickTime/iTunes, try playing/converting the files through RealPlayer.
If this doesn’t work, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.
When I try to convert an mp4 file to a WMV the “Get RealPlayer Plus 16” advertisement pops up and blocks my conversion. Why?
Some file requires Plus feature to play/convert. Try installing QuickTime/iTunes to enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert .mp4 files.
1: QuickTime : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
or
2: iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
After installing QuickTime/iTunes, try playing/converting the files through RealPlayer. If this doesn’t work, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.
What a ripoff and bald-faced lie. The converter does not work at all unless you upgrade one way or another. This is trash. I quickly deleted it from my computer and will never trust another product from this source.
Sorry for the trouble, some files requires Plus feature to play/convert. Try installing QuickTime to enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert .MP4 files.
QuickTime : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
After installing QuickTime, try play/converting the files through RealPlayer.
If that doesn’t help, please send an email to help@real.com
I have uninstalled and reinstalled the new real player, real player plus 16 and did all updates and everything real player told me to do. I am using Windows 7 32bit and I still cannot view MP4s or convert them to WMV. When I do the convert steps it still will not convert. I bought Plus 16 to have more capabilities not less.
vr/
Mitch
Sorry you can’t convert .MP4 videos!
Please read this article for instructions to troubleshoot this issue:
https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23709218
If you additional question, please send an email to help@real.com
When i try to convery, it asks me if i want to upgrade to plus, i clicked no thanks, then it says i can get it for free with trialpay. Because Im in a hurry, i dont want to upgrade, but there appears to be now way around it. Do i have to have the “plus” version to convert??
Some file requires Plus feature to play/convert. Try installing QuickTime/iTunes to enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert .mp4 files.
1: QuickTime : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Or
2: iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
After installing QuickTime/iTunes, try playing/converting the files through RealPlayer. If this doesn’t work, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.
VERY UPSET! I CLICK THE START BUTTON AND ALL THAT COMES IS A POPUP SCREEN WANTING ME TO MAKE OTHER PURCHASES! I NEED TO CONVERT SOMETHING IMPORTANT AND IN A LIMITED TIME AND I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS CRAP!
Sorry for the inconvenience caused!
Some file requires Plus feature to play/convert. Try installing QuickTime/iTunes to enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert .mp4 files.
1: QuickTime : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Or
2: iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
After installing QuickTime/iTunes, try playing/converting the files through RealPlayer. If this doesn’t work, please send an email to help@real.com, include a brief description of the issue, copy and paste the link to this thread within the email for further assistance.
Where’s the download button? Duuuuh!
Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Generally, the “Download This Video” button will appear only if all of the following are true:
1. You have the latest build of RealPlayer.
2. The plugin is installed on the browser you are using.
3. The latest Adobe Flash Player is installed on your computer.
4. The website is not preventing viewers from downloading their content. (If your download consists only of an ad or just a few seconds of the video, then the video is not available for download.)
Hence, make sure that you have enabled the browser plug-in by following this steps:
https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23689856
After that try to download videos. If you have further questions, please send an email to help@real.com
trying to convert an MP4 video into realplayeror WMV using the built in file converter. problem is that the file which it creates is just audio, there is no video in it, even though the original is a video file…what gives?
Seriously guys…50 minutes to covert a 11:14 minute MP4 to WMV format?
And its not an old computer issue…Im running the following:
AMD FX-6100 black series 6 core 3.3ghz processor
8GB DDR3
EVGA Superclocked Nvidia GTX 780 3gb
Sorry for the inconvenience caused. Most of the issues will be fixed by doing a clean install of RealPlayer. A clean install means uninstalling RealPlayer, deleting its folders and re-installing a fresh copy of the latest software.
Please check our knowledge base for more information:
https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23994572
Once installed, try converting the files and play it using RealPlayer. If the issue still persists, please send an email to help@real.com
Generally, the original file is fully decompressed to raw, uncompressed video/audio. This process can proceed at faster than realtime, especially if the decompressor can use built-in hardware (i.e CPU or GPU functionality) to accelerate the process. An initial pass over the file may be required to identify key frames (where the image changes substantially so that motion compression cannot be used), and then the file is compressed. Depending on the compression being used, this may also be accelerated by hardware (ie compression cards or GPU). This process is also repeated for audio, and the output wrapped up in a container file. Multithreading on multi-core processors will also increase the speed.
Converting file from the default source format to the other format is a CPU intensive process that will take some time. There are several factors that can affect how long this process takes:
– The length of the source video. Longer videos take longer to process.
– Your CPU speed plays an important role. The faster the CPU, the faster the conversion.
– The Quality setting can affect how long it takes. If you choose High quality, it will take longer (and make larger files).
If you need further assistance, please send an email to help@real.com
I followed the directions for this, choosing to convert my mp4 to wmv. I choose wmv under video file types and it just creates a wma. I don’t need an audio file of my video, I need a video file. I’ve tried it twice, it just creates a wma each time.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused. Most of the issues will be fixed by doing a clean install of RealPlayer. A clean install means uninstalling RealPlayer, deleting its folders and re-installing a fresh copy of the latest software.
Please check our knowledge base for more information:
https://realnetworks.zendesk.com/entries/23994572
Once installed, try converting the files and play it using RealPlayer. If the issue still persists, please send an email to help@real.com
Tried to play .wtv media player recordings. A SD film was properly played but a 720p HD film produced a black screen with sound. Would have been nice to view with the Chromecast, the Samsung TV-set media player is almost useless.
Unfortunately, these instructions won’t work unless I first agree to upgrade to another Real Player program which I neither need nor want.
Sorry. Most likely, this issue is the result of either the audio or video format not being compatible with Chromecast. The solution is to upload the video to RealPlayer Cloud and then cast it from your Cloud Library.
Still if the issue persists, please send an email to help@real.com
I understand that you need some help; however, the exact nature of the problem you are having is not clear to me.
Before I can help you, I will need some more information. Could you please be more specific about the problem you are having? Please describe exactly what it is that you are trying to do and include any error messages that you may receive. It can also be helpful to include what your computer’s operating system is and what web browser you’re using. The more specific you are, the better I will be able to assist you.
I’m trying to convert .mp4 to .wmv. Every time I click the green start button in the RealPlayer Converter I get an add for RealPlayer Cloud Premium. Nothing is ever converted, just a pop-up add…
Sorry for the trouble.
First, you need to verify whether the file plays in RealPlayer. If it plays, you can convert to other file formats expect a few file formats that need premium features. If it does not play, then redownload the file and try again. If the issue persists, please uninstall Flash and then reinstall it again, using the Internet Explorer browser.
First, Click this link to uninstall the Flash Player: http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html
Next, to install the flash from : http://www.adobe.com/downloads.html
Also, you need to update the below codecs:
Shockwave Player Plugin (Free): http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/
QuickTime PlayerPlugin (Free): http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
K-Lite codec (Free): http://fileforum.betanews.com/download/KLite-Codec-Pack_Full/1094057842/3
If this does not resolve your issue, please let us know.
At first, it did not work, but after the installation of quicktime, all works fine! Thanks for this serious software with no malware!
I’m glad to hear that this is working for you now!
Thank you for letting us know.
If you have any additional questions, please send an email to help@real.com
Is this still a free feature?
RealPlayer can convert files in a variety of supported formats. For a complete list, visit the File Types topic in RealPlayer Help.
http://cache-download.real.com/free/windows/mrkt/help/RealPlayer-16/en/RealPlayer-help.htm#converter_file_types.htm
Purchasing RealPlayer Plus is required to convert from the following formats (this includes converting to MP3 from one of the listed formats):
1. mp4, AAC, MPEG4, H.264, .mov — these formats require either RealPlayer Plus or QuickTime installed on your computer.
2. MPEG-2 and VOB files require RealPlayer Plus for conversion. (Note: RealPlayer Converter is designed to convert VOB files from home videos that have one audio track; commercial videos or videos with multiple audio tracks may not convert successfully.)
3. If you get a crash when converting a VOB file, you may have a conflict with another software program installed on your system.
If you have any additional questions, please send an email to help@real.com
this conversion only works IF YOU UPGRADE
Some files require additional codecs to play/convert as a free user. Try installing QuickTime player to enable the necessary codecs for RealPlayer to play/convert .MP4.
QuickTime : http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
After installing QuickTime, try playing/converting the files through RealPlayer.
If that doesn’t help, please send an email to help@real.com
If that doesn’t help, please let us know.
I downloaded realplayer to convert an mp4 to wmv. I ran the program and when I started the conversion I received the popup that asked me to upgrade and once I closed the popup the file didn’t convert. Pissed, I returned here to bitch and moan about it and noticed about 10 other people who beat me to it. After reading the replies to their complaints I tried downloading quicktime to see if it made a difference. I was quite surprised when it did. However now when I start the conversion it works for about a second and then stops and shows me the results window. On the window it says:
Conversion Complete
Files converted 0 of 1
Errors 1
(If it helps here’s a screen shot: http://imgur.com/nI7euVZ)
Personally I think the problem is the video file rather than the realplayer software, (I’m not sure but I think the video has already been converted at least once by my friend who gave it to me) however I decided to comment here just in case there’s other software I’m missing, a step I’m leaving out, or something along those lines.
Also, bravo to the realplayer team for replying respectfully and helpfully to all the comments, even though about half of them were complaining about the same thing.
Sorry for the delay.
With the basic version of RealPlayer, you can convert the .mp4 to .wmv file format. You will receive the upgrade window if there is an issue with the file which you’re trying to convert or it needs the plus components to convert. Therefore, I need you to check whether you’re able to see the thumbnail image of the video when it is added to the RealPlayer Converter.
If it shows as a audio track, you need to redownload the video and try again. Redownloading the video works most of the time. If the issue persists, reinstall RealPlayer and update the below codec’s using the Internet Explorer browser.
Flash Player Plugin (Free): http://www.adobe.com/downloads.html
Shockwave Player Plugin (Free): http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/
QuickTime PlayerPlugin (Free): http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
K-Lite codec (Free): http://fileforum.betanews.com/download/KLite-Codec-Pack_Full/1094057842/3
You can also verify by converting a new video that was recently downloaded.
Hope this helps! If you have any additional questions, please send an email to help@real.com