Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

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Windows Media Audio File with WMA9 Lossless Codec

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name Windows Media Audio File with Windows Media 9 Lossless Codec
Description File format based in ASF (Advanced Systems Format) that wraps a Windows Media 9 lossless audio bitstream.
Production phase Used for middle-state purposes, e.g., archiving of high-quality files.
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of WMA, WMA (Windows Media Audio) File Format
    Contains WMA9_LL, Windows Media 9 Lossless Audio Codec

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings  
LC preference See WMA.

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure See WMA and ASF
    Documentation See WMA and ASF
Adoption Not known to the compilers of this document; the WMA file format is widely adopted. The lossless codec is specialized and may not see wide adoption.
    Licensing and patents See ASF for link to pages covering licensing of Windows Media and the Advanced Systems Format.
Transparency Depends upon algorithms and tools to read; will require sophistication to build tools.
Self-documentation See ASF
External dependencies See WMA
Technical protection considerations See ASF

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Sound
Normal rendering Good support.
Fidelity (high audio resolution) See WMA9_LL (audio codec).
Multiple channels See WMA9_LL (audio codec).
Functionality beyond normal rendering None

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension wma
 
Internet Media Type See related format.  See WMA.
Magic numbers See related format. 

See WMA.

ASF GUID See related format. 

See WMA.


Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 02/21/2017