View source for WMV HD

{{Unreferenced|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox file format
| name = Windows Media Video High Definition
| icon = <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Wmvhd.jpg]] -->
| extension = .wmv
| mime = video/x-ms-wmv
| type code =
| uniform type = com.microsoft.windows-?media-wmv
| owner = [[Microsoft]]
| genre = [[video file format]]
| container for =
| contained by =
| extended from =
| extended to =
| standard =
}}
[[Image:7 1 channels (extended surround sound) label.png|thumb|right|200px|Label for 7.1 extended surround sound]]
'''Windows Media High Definition Video''' (WMV HD) is the marketing name for [[High-definition video|high definition videos]] encoded using [[Microsoft]] [[Windows Media Video]] 9 [[codecs]]. These low-complexity codecs make it possible to watch high definition movies in 1280×720 ([[720p]]) or 1920×1080 ([[1080p]]) resolutions on many modern personal computers running [[Microsoft Windows XP]] or [[Windows Vista]], although the hardware requirements are steep. Microsoft's [[Xbox 360]] and Sony's [[PlayStation 3]] video game consoles can also play WMV HD.
WMV HD isn't a standalone video codec nor a special modification of the WMV9 codec. As of April 2006, all existing WMV HD titles are encoded using the [[VC-1]] compliant Windows Media Video 9 ([[FourCC]]: WMV3) codec conforming to VC-1 Main Profile @ High Level specification. It is possible that in the future Microsoft will take advantage of the new VC-1 Advanced Profile codec dubbed Windows Media Video Advanced Profile (FourCC: WVC1) to encode WMV HD videos.
A number of WMV9-encoded high definition movie titles have been made commercially available on DVD-ROM discs, either as standalone discs or supplements to the regular DVD-Video titles. The technology was considered a stepping stone to true high definition optical disc formats ([[HD DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]]) and Microsoft never intended the discs to be played on anything but personal computers. Most commercially sold WMV HD titles are copy protected using Microsoft [[Windows Media DRM]] technology. The licensing terms of DRM protected titles are determined by the content providers and not Microsoft Corporation. The soundtracks are commonly encoded using the [[Windows Media Audio]] Professional codec, often featuring 5.1 or 7.1 multichannel sound. The video and audio streams are encapsulated in [[Advanced Systems Format]] files.
==Compatibility==
WMV HD has been touted for its ease of use, since functionality to convert to WMV HD has been built into Windows Movie Maker, it has allowed people to convert their home videos to WMV HD as well as any commercial releases they may have received. The file system will work on a PC with the settings listed above, as well as an [[Xbox 360]], at [[1080p]]/[[1080i]].
==The future==
With the advent of [[Blu-ray Disc]] as the optical HD-media format of choice, WMV HD is considered obsolete in its optical disc form.
==Encoders==
Windows Media Video HD can be encoded with a variety of programs, such as [[Windows Media Encoder]], [[Windows Movie Maker]], and [[Microsoft Expression Encoder]]. When encoding, it has been recommended by these programs that you use the original file for best results; at times, re-encoding an already-coded movie can lead to sub par results.
== Movies on WMV HD DVD-ROM ==
* ''[[Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room]]''
* ''[[One Last Thing...]]''
* ''[[Standing in the Shadows of Motown]]''
* ''[[Step Into Liquid]]'' (bonus disc)
* ''[[Speed_(1984_film)]]'' (bonus disc)
* [[Terminator 2: Judgment Day#Versions of the film|''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' - Extreme Edition]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-06-24|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Terminator 2: Judgment Day#Versions of the film|reason= The anchor (Versions of the film) [[Special:Diff/190537611|has been deleted]].}} (disc 2; theatrical version)
* ''[[Total Recall (1990 film)|Total Recall]]'' (released in [[Denmark]], [[Germany]] and [[Norway]]) [http://www.filmweb.no/smn/dvd/article45261.ece]
* ''[[The War Within (film)|The War Within]]''
* ''[[Pirates (2005 film)|Pirates]]'' (third disc)
* ''[[Immortel (Ad Vitam)|Immortal ad Vitam]]'' (3-disc edition)
* ''[[Profondo Rosso|Deep Red]]'' (Italian Medusa 2-disc edition)
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Muffin-Man-HD-Mike-Short/dp/B00065Y82U Muffin Man HD Edition]'' (2-disc edition)
and more
==See also==
* [[DivX HD]]—the main competitor to WMV HD
[[Category:High-definition television]]