What is the best way to encode to ASF?

[Chainmax]

Recently, a video player for the GBA/DS has been announced. Since it only supports ASF playback and I know nothing about encoding to this format I'd like to know if someone could recommend me the best tools for encoding to it.

[Neo Neko]

Well there are more or less only one set of tools. That being Microsofts. I believe some software like premere or vegas video can interface with those tools. Also Videolan can output ASF but don't expect it to be compatable since it looks as if they allow MPEG4 to be in ASF. :p Outside of those you will just have to use windows media encoder with the right codecs.

[slavickas]

Originally posted by Neo Neko
...don't expect it to be compatable since it looks as if they allow MPEG4 to be in ASF. :p O
why not there was ms mp4s codec in asf which should be mp4 simple profile, although it's probably currently isn't supported

[celtic_druid]

MS MPEG4 v1/2/3 aren't actually MPEG4 though.

[Neo Neko]

Too true druid. ;) Basically microsoft does not support much other than microsoft codecs in ASF. Though technically you can put anything in it like you could with MP4. For those interested in a test file here (http://neoneko.ath.cx.nyud.net:8090/gday.asf) you go. It is an interesting test case. The file was generated with VLC. When played back in WMP you have perfect audio but no video. MPC will give you perfect audio and screwy video. When you play it in VLC it is perfect. But that is to be expected since it created it. :p It should be MPEG4 video and MP3 audio streams in an asf file. VLC will not put AAC in for some reason though.

Test case 2 (http://neoneko.ath.cx.nyud.net:8090/gdayB.asf) is also a rather unique. Since MP3 seemed so compatable I opted to keep it but try VLC's WMV2 video encoding. Giving me an ASF file with WMV2 and MP3 streams. It plays perfectly in every player I tried. Even WMP. Go figure! So it appears that "YES" VLC can be used as an ASF encoding tool. But you can't use it with the latest version of MS codecs. Yet. Wait till ffmpeg adds VC1 encoding. :D And if you use anything other than MS or MS based codecs don't expect it to work well.

[Chainmax]

Can I encode my own MP3 audio and mux it later or does everything have to be done with Windows Media Encoder? Also, where can I find a guide to using WME to encode to ASF?

[Neo Neko]

WME will not put MP3 in ASF IIRC. That is why I was pleasantly surprised when it played it back. Also WME will not put anything into ASF without first re-encoding it IIRC. So no simple repackaging. As far as tutorials for WME it is pretty straight forward. What part are you having issues with? The page at Microsoft.com that houses the download had some basic guides unless they have changed things.

[Chainmax]

According to the article (http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/573/573438p1.html?fromint=1), the audio is supposed to be MP3. Maybe VirtualDub v1.3c can be used to encode to ASF and either mux an external MP3 into it or encode it itself via LAME ACM?

[Neo Neko]

My guess is that they will include their own encoder app. I have one of those "other" video on GB devices and it has it's own format and encoder.

Also I can't get any MPEG4 video in ASF using Microsoft's tools. Using graphedit the moment I try to mux an MPEG4 stream in ASF using the Windows media muxer it decodes the video to raw video first. It simply will not allow it. Even though it is supposed to be possible.