Microsoft Windows Media Encoder is a production tool that enables content developers to convert both live and prerecorded audio, video, and computer screen images to Windows Media Format for live and on-demand delivery. Windows Media Encoder now captures Windows Media Video 8 content in real time for streaming delivery, and creates Windows Media Audio 8 for streaming and download.

This version of Windows Media Encoder enables Two-Pass Encoding to optimize quality for on-demand (streamed or download-and-play) content. It also supports "True" Variable Bit Rate (VBR) Encoding for download-and-play scenarios. True VBR can be applied over the entire duration of a high-motion sequence, ensuring the highest quality. This version also enables Batch Encoding of Windows Media 8, allowing content developers to encode large numbers of pre-recorded media files.