Converting WAV Files to ASF Using WAVTOASF

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March 13, 1998

WAVTOASF is a command-line utility that ships with the Windows Media Services installation for converting compressed WAV files to ASF. It is important to note that WAVTOASF does not compress the content, so you will need to make sure that the output approximates your targeted bandwidth by experimenting with compression. For example, if you are targeting 28.8-Kbps users, and the first time you run WAVTOASF on a file it shows that it will take 35,000 bps, you know it's too big for 28.8-Kbps users. You would need to re-compress the WAV file, and then run WAVTOASF again and see if it's in an acceptable bit-rate range (for 28.8 Kbps, we recommend keeping bit rates to around 22,000 bps).

An easy way to compress WAV files is to use the Windows Sound Recorder:

1. Open Windows Sound Recorder (on most systems, Start, Programs, Accessories, then either Multimedia or Entertainment, and then Sound Recorder).
2. Open the WAV file (File, Open, and then browse to your file).
3. Select File, Save As, and then under Format, click the Change button.
4. Select the appropriate audio codec and its attributes, and then press the OK button. For more information on codec selection, see the codec discussion .
5. Enter a new name for the WAV file in the File Name box, and then click the Save button. The compression will take place.

Now that you are ready to convert the compressed WAV file to ASF, follow these steps:

1. Open an MS-DOS session (Start, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt).
2. Change directories until you are in the same directory that contains the compressed WAV file to be converted to ASF.
3. Type WAVTOASF -in wavname.wav -leadtime 5000 -out asfname.asf, and then press Enter. (Be sure to substitute wavname and asfname with your actual WAV file name and the name you want your ASF file to have.)

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