ASX( .ASX ) - File Extension Information

ASX(Advanced Stream Redirector) files are textual command files that manage streaming of ASF files. They are very small in size (about 1K) because they contain no data, just instructions. When a user clicks a link to an ASX file, the browser downloads it to the cache directory, launches the Windows Media Player, and then starts the streaming. The advantage of using ASX files over ASF files is their server location. ASF files can reside on different server types:

* Windows Media Services Server. File names will start with mms://.
* HTTP Server. File names will start with http://.
* Local or network drive. File names will start with file://.

ASX files, on the other hand, are small text files that can always sit on an HTTP server. When the browser interprets the ASX file, it access the streaming media file that is specified inside the ASX file, from the proper HTTP, mms, or file server. The following is an ASX file:

<asx version = "3.0" >
   <title>Cantonese 16 14-15</title>
   <entry>
    <ref href = "mms://69.3.31.228/c16_14-15.wma"/>
   </entry>
</asx>

It's good to note here that the 'version="3.0' attribute of the ASX tag refers to the version of the ASX tagging language itself and not the version of Windows Media Player that will read it. As with any XML format, you can add comments to the file by using the familiar comment tags that work in HTML --. Unlike XML, the tags are not case-sensitive.

Troubleshooting ASX File Playback In Windows Media Player

Open the asx file in Notepad and you will be viewing the basic playlist. You can copy the link out of the ASX file and go to File | Open URL on WMP for a generally troubleshooter. Many times, the ASX file is not done correctly, thus having WMP produce errors when trying to get the content directed correctly.

Since most ASX files will point to Windows Media Content, another thing that has been suggested is that you reinstall the Windows Media Codec if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to reinstall DirectX just after you install the Windows Media Codec.

ASX Audio Recorder - ASX to MP3 Converter

• Convert Windows Media files(WMA, WMV, ASF, ASX, WVX) to MP3
• Extract audio from WMV and ASF media files
• Allow to edit and preserve audio file's tag information(Artist, Title, Comment, Year and Album)
• More features...

ASX Audio Recorder - Mini-stream Ripper

• Record live online radio streams like Windows Media, Real Audio, Winamp Shoutcast.
• Save streams as RM, MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG or FLAC audio files.
• Split and name songs by stream's title automatically.
• Free drag and drop features
  
• More Features...

ASX Vide Downloader/Recorder - WM Downloader

• Records both video and audio streams (Windows Audio, Windows Video, Windows Media,:  ASF, . WMA, .WMV and .ASX)
• Captures SHOUTcast streams (pls, http, m3u)
• A schedule, which allow you to record online streaming music at any time
• More Features...

How to download/save/capture/record/rip Asx audio streams

You can select one of the aboving products to record asx audio stream. Here we give an example of ASX to MP3 Converter.

1. Open ASX to MP3 Converter(A2MC).

1. Drag the asx file which you want to record on A2MC's interface. A2MC will load the stream automatically. Also you can click on the Load button on the left of A2MC's interface to open the file Loading screen. Then click 'ok' to load the asx file.
2. If the stream has been sucessfully loaded, you'll get the message "Please press 'Start' to start ripping". If not, you'll get an error message.
3. Click on the Start button on the right of A2MC''s interface to start ripping.