ASF Full Form Name
Full Form of ASF:
Advanced Streaming Format
ASF Full Form is Advanced
Streaming Format. ASF is a Microsoft Developed format that is
specifically used for streaming of multimedia files. This format is used to
either view multimedia files (audio/video) locally or through streaming. The
ASF file is a container file useful for storing and streaming.
The ASF file structure consists
of (1) Header Object which defines the global level file attributes like the
name and metadata like subtitles, etc. (2) Media Object which contains the
actual media file, (3) Index object that is generally used as a bookmark and is
optional. The Advanced Streaming Format was developed to create a uniform tool
for data transfer and playback of media files across the internet.
The ASF supports both local
playback and Internet delivery. In fact, because the ASF is a synchronized
streaming media format, the entire file need not be locally available for
playback. Only the part that is available can be streamed and played, thus
making it ideal for use over the internet. The WMA, MPEG4, and WMV are popular
Advanced Streaming formats.
ASF was primarily made for the following:
§ To maintain efficient playback from HTTP servers, storage
devices, and HTTP servers
§ To support various media like audio files and video files.
§ To allow the single multimedia file to run over a wide range of
bandwidths.
§ Not to be dependent on any kind of multimedia system or
operating systems
§ ASF structure is widely available and studied. However, it is
not available under an open source license and is controlled by Microsoft.