Existing users, 
After finding numerous wmv files that would not play in various players, I have made a few notes...
-- files ending in .asf and .wmv use the same file format. Microsoft changed the extension and name (advanced streaming format, windows media video.) .asx files are essentially playlists that point to media in another location - usually on the Internet.
-- the files are wrappers or containers. Within the files could be audio, video and other "media". The media could be compressed with different codecs (compressor-decompressors) and could also be encrypted.
-- if the media is encrypted with Windows DRM (Digital Rights Management) then you must have the license key to play it. If you have the key and can play the file under Windows then various methods exist for exporting the content to other formats. If you don't have the key, throw the file away.
-- the best method for discovering what codecs are required for the file content is to drag and drop the file into mPlayer OS X's playlist window and then click the "i" info button.
-- if the video is encoded with M4S2 within the wmv file, Windows Media Player 9 for OS X won't play it. mPlayer OS X will.
-- other types of encoding include WMV1, WMV2, MP43 - all of which play in mPlayer OS X
-- WMV3 does not play in mPlayer OS X but does play in Windows Media Player 9 for OS X. This is the only type of file that I use Windows Media Player 9 to play - the others I play in mPlayer because it will not launch a web browser and open web sites that may be listed in the files. Windows Media Player 9 does and its annoying.
mPlayer OS X is free, there are two versions, I prefer this one but both are listed on VersionTracker.com. An alternative free player that also supports some of the wmv codecs is VLC (VideoLan Client) also listed on VersionTracker.
http://mplayerhq.hu/homepage/design7/news.html
flip4mac wmv components is not free. It gives QuickTime Player the ability to read the wmv file format and handle some wmv compatible codecs. Its here-
http://www.flip4mac.com/wmv.htm
Windows Media Player
Standalone Windows Media file player (superceded by Flip4Mac WMV).
Version: 9.0
WMV file playback issues
Feedback Type: Usage Tip
Contributed by: BoysShouldObey Friday, January 06 2006 @ 07:32 PM PST
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: Over One Year
Recommend Product: NO
Comments
WMV file playback issues - kat2002_dotmac
I don't know if anyone checks this or not but I'm having trouble playing back just one particular website's Windows media using WMF 9 for Mac on my Mac (as well as another Mac I tried). Most other sites still work. I just recently up-graded both Mac's to Tiger and prior to that, WMF worked fine. Can you think of any reason why just one website would not be watchable? I called the webmaster of the website but he didn't know what caused the problem either. I am trying to do this for my 89 year old mother who has been wathcing the daily mass for years and now that I upgraded her machine, she can no longer get the mass. The visible website address is: http://www.themass.com/default1024.htm although I know this points to some address that contains the wmf coding and I don't know what that is. I have tried to find answers on the Microsoft forums and the Apple forums but you are the first person that seems to be on the right tract. Thank you for anything you can do. If you can think of something, could you either post it or send me an answer directly at katms7@earthlink.netThursday, January 12 2006 @ 12:19 PM PST
FlipMac WMV Player is NOW FREE - cseeman
FlipMac WMV Player is NOW FREEIn addition to playing WMV7, WMV8, WMV9 (even WMVHD sizes)
it CAN play Mpeg4v1, Mpeg4v1.1, Mpeg4v2, Mpeg4v3.
Saturday, January 14 2006 @ 01:04 AM PST
WMV file playback issues - BoysShouldObey
As of January 11th, the flip4mac playback components are now free. :)Reply to This
Thursday, January 12 2006 @ 10:42 AM PST