Container/Codec-question (mpeg4 in wmv)

[tominator]

Hi
Im currently encoding wmv3/wma2-files. Im trying to read up on containers/codecs but can't really understand what really differs the two.

When encoding wmv3/wma2-files isnt both the container and the codec wmv? (When I end up with .wmv-files)

Ive heard that using mpeg4 as my codec would actually help me get better quality at lower bitrates (I use 800 and 1500 at the moment). Could I actually get mpeg4-encoded material to work in the wmv-container?

What would that mean for the users of my files? Is it correct that windows media player would just ask them if they want to download the mpeg4-codec and with that done play the files as usual?

[bond]

Hi
Im currently encoding wmv3/wma2-files. Im trying to read up on containers/codecs but can't really understand what really differs the two.

When encoding wmv3/wma2-files isnt both the container and the codec wmv? (When I end up with .wmv-files)wmv3/9/vc1 video and the wmv/asf container are totally different and independant things

its just wmp supporting both what keeps them together

Ive heard that using mpeg4 as my codec would actually help me get better quality at lower bitrates (I use 800 and 1500 at the moment). Could I actually get mpeg4-encoded material to work in the wmv-container?

What would that mean for the users of my files? Is it correct that windows media player would just ask them if they want to download the mpeg4-codec and with that done play the files as usual? wmp wont support playing mpeg4 out of the box

you would need to ask your users to install an external decoder, like ffdshow

[tominator]

thanks.

if my movie needs ffdshow will the user be prompted to download it through wmp or will they have to download it manually?

[bond]

manually