How to convert .wtv files

[soonerk5]

I found the simple solution

As soon as I right click a .wtv file and choose to open .wtv with media center as my default program the problem is fixed . The option to convert to .dvr-ms appears on the drop down menu whenever a .wtv file is right clicked.

 

[seven]

Maybe this can help....I just tried a way to skip commercials. I right click and covert to DVR-MS and used Lifextender to skip commercials and it worked perfectly (except for a couple of 10 sec news bumps left in). This is the easiest way I've found to do this in Windows 7. Also VideoPad Editor free version can edit DVR-MS but not WTV.
http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/03/cut-out-commercials-in-7mc-with.html

 

[hotchas]

The FIX to convert wtv files

Find the wtv file and right click on it. You will see an option to convert to dvr-ms. Choose that. After the file converts, you can change that to other formats. A FREE converter that I have used for many years is "Format Factory", currently v2.9 as of Feb 2012.

 

[oxgt2e]

I am using a fully updated Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1 (updated at of this morning, February 22, 2012).

I record HD via component cables connected to a Hauppauge Colossus with Windows Media Center. When I right-click on those videos, I see the "convert to .dvr-ms Format" option, but I get an error almost immediately after choosing that option. The error says "WTV Converter cannot convert the file from .wtv to .dvr-ms format because the content is not compatible with the .dvr-ms format".

I tried the same procedure on a test rig with the same equipment setup and with a clean but fully updated installation of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1. So I conclude that Windows is incapable of converting its own Windows Media Center recordings.

Someone please explain this witchcraft to me!

ps - I tried the free MC-TVConverter from a recommendation in this thread a page back. I am very pleased with the results. Its relatively fast, it produces superb quality conversions of my HD recordings. I converted several of my HD .wtv files to .mkv and the videos look great.

 

[electric62]

You could also try this: Kingsley wtv converter
it does HD & Standard to a range of formats, and has some nice features like doing a 10 sec preview to check your settings are what you want, and will wake up the computer to convert at a predefined time, then put it to sleep again

 

[3D Jed]

Cannot convert to dvr-ms error message usually means (at least here in UK) encrypted or HDTV. DVR-MS is mpeg2 and HD wtv is h264 (in UK). I find Cyberlink Mediaespresso can convert these files, although each country seems to use different broadcast and encryption standards.

 

[kudbegud]

I found the easiest FREE fix yet. VLC, the open source free universal player. (which also plays the .wtv files just fine) Under Media click on Convert/Save, then in the new window that opens click Add to browse to your recorded TV folder, choose the file you want to convert. The path for that file will be added into the box. Copy this path, you'll use it in a moment. At the bottom right click on Convert/Save and choose Convert. A new window with a Destination File box will open....paste the copied path into that box but change the file type from .wtv to your chosen format, in my case, .mp4. You can always rename your file name later. Click Start. The video will convert as it silently plays, just wait. Done.
My 1 minute test recording of The Tonight Show went from 69 MB as wtv to 11 MB as an mp4 file. I didn't notice any degradation of quality. Explore the other options for conversion, one might be just what your looking for. There are several for specific devices and destination like Youtube.

 

[3D Jed]

VLC conversion of WMC SD or HD don't seem to work here in the UK. Probably a bit academic seeing as how it looks like MS are bent on phasing WMC out. Shame because it's #1 for TV IMHO.

I've tried most of the WMC alternatives and they either don't work, or you get bogged down in page after page of front end, back end, server, client, codecs etc - a trademark of the open source/Linux scene. There's a fortune waiting to be made for anyone who can design a simple to setup multi channel PVR.

 

[kudbegud]

I'm sorry to hear that it doesn't work for you like it does for me. Are you using the latest, or next to last, version of VLC? I used 2.1.1 and have declined the upgrade notice for the the minor upgrade.

I saw in an earlier post that VLC would play .wtv videos so I tried it and it worked. I had used VLC to strip out mp3's of the audio from videos before so tried the video conversion and was surprised that it worked.

Most of the posts refer to paid products that probably work with better interfaces but now that i know I can do it with VLC I have stopped looking for solutions.

 

[whs]

For those type files I use a simple trick. I change the filetype of the file to e.g. .avi and then I run it thru the Freemake Video Converter. Then they play. Works great with e.g. .xesc files.

 

[kudbegud]

Interesting. Maybe the question should be why Microsoft forces proprietary formats in the first place.

 

[whs]

That is indeed a good question. The MS Expression Screen Recorder produces .xesc files that even VLC cannot deal with - and that for a $199 program. Then you have to send it thru 2 passes of a mighty encoder that takes 3 minutes of encoding for each minute of recording - on an i7 desktop with 8GB of RAM - a lot more time on a lesser system. The output is a .wmv file. My trick with the filetype change and Freemake is a LOT faster - in fact about 20 times faster for an .avi conversion. .wmv is a bit slower..

 

[mmueller007]

I use Any-Video-Converter (freeware) and successfully convert wtv-files to mp4-format ... but there are PLENTY of output options to choose from!

 

[utahperson]

I Take WTV To WMV To DVD But............

I have been converting movies recorded in the WTV format using Windows Movie Maker which
changed the movie into WMV and that is the only format my burn program (So Think Movie DVD Maker) will
accept. The process is time consuming. I like So Think Movie DVD Maker as it is easy to use and I can place
several movies on the DVD.

Any suggestions to make this process easier? And faster?

Thanks

 

[whs]

Try Freemake, it may convert it. I have no WTV file to test it but Freemake converts most anything.

Free Video Converter | MP3 MP4 AVI 3GP MKV DVD | FREE Download

If it does not work initially, change the filetype to .wmv (disregard the warning) and try then to convert it to .wmv. I had success with that little trick on some other strange filetype.

 

[Offsprung]

Why EXACTLY is anyone still posting to this? M$ in their infinite knowledge KILLED TV. They even killed InternetTV! Netflix soon to follow?! Comcast and the other cable morons did so also! Their ONLY selling point! If you have to have an external tuner, remote, power and tune to 3/4 why not go SAT! So whats left? An obsolete technology that records only terrestrial when you are close enough? Or you're using as a capture card thru 3/4 to an obsolete tech? This also means dump ALL tuner cards ASAP! The other question is why we still pay extra for a TV with QAM? All TVs with a built-in tuner is a waste unless you have a transmitter up your @! WTV is a dead horse STOP beating it already!

 

[Indianatone]

Why EXACTLY is anyone still posting to this? M$ in their infinite knowledge KILLED TV. They even killed InternetTV! Netflix soon to follow?! Comcast and the other cable morons did so also! Their ONLY selling point! If you have to have an external tuner, remote, power and tune to 3/4 why not go SAT! So whats left? An obsolete technology that records only terrestrial when you are close enough? Or you're using as a capture card thru 3/4 to an obsolete tech? This also means dump ALL tuner cards ASAP! The other question is why we still pay extra for a TV with QAM? All TVs with a built-in tuner is a waste unless you have a transmitter up your @! WTV is a dead horse STOP beating it already!

That is your pretty worthless opinion. I use my three TV tuners to record off air channels in the Indianapolis TV market, I use my PC's to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Hulu and enjoy a ton of good programming. The technology is not dead. I don;t have cable as I have no need.

 

[Offsprung]

My opinion? Win8 does not support. M$ no longer supports WTV in win7! And MR RUDE! I did say UNLESS YOU HAVE A TRANSMITTER UP YOUR @! What does HULU AMAZON, etc have to do with WTV files?! WMC7 even support them without shelling out? It seems to me since M$ bailed on TV(WTV) there are plenty of alternates out there! Instead of converting WTV maybe one should find an alternative tuner program that saves in a NORMAL format! WTV is a DEAD HORSE! not an opinion! FACT! WMC pretty close to same!

 

[3D Jed]

My opinion? Win8 does not support. M$ no longer supports WTV in win7!

Don't know what planet you are on, but MS have not 'killed TV' -

Windows 8 -I built a Windows 8 Pro x64 rig recently and WMC TV worked just fine with various tuners. I even tried an old Vista TV card which worked OK when installed in Vista compatability mode.

Windows 7 - as I type this in the UK I'm watching Freeview HD on a second Windows 7 pc. Quad HD tuner - more channels than your average set top PVR or DVD recorder. Sure it records in wtv, but that's not a problem if you just want to time-shift. For programs I want to keep, I have several apps that can convert or edit out ads eg VideoRedo.

 

[Indianatone]

My opinion? Win8 does not support. M$ no longer supports WTV in win7! And MR RUDE! I did say UNLESS YOU HAVE A TRANSMITTER UP YOUR @! What does HULU AMAZON, etc have to do with WTV files?! WMC7 even support them without shelling out? It seems to me since M$ bailed on TV(WTV) there are plenty of alternates out there! Instead of converting WTV maybe one should find an alternative tuner program that saves in a NORMAL format! WTV is a DEAD HORSE! not an opinion! FACT! WMC pretty close to same!

You have no idea what you are talking about. Windows 7 supports and uses Media Center. That is also available for a small fee if you want it in Windows 8. Window 7 or 8 does not play Blu Ray either without aditional purchases. Infact 8 does not support DVD playing either. Does that mean DVD's and Blu Rays are doomed?
I was pointing out that is is easily possible to use Windows 7 as a media hub. I know I can and do. I have no idea what your are on but you need to read facts not just spout junk.