FAQ
General and Sales
Q: What is Expression Encoder 3?
A: Expression Encoder is a professional encoding tool that offers enhancement, encoding, and publishing of rich video experiences with Microsoft Silverlight. Convert and compress multiple video formats to SMPTE standard VC-1 video or H.264 for mobile, web, and HD video scenarios. For streamlined workflow, create branded templates with Expression Blend™, and encode on the desktop or server to guarantee a consistent viewing experience on Windows, Mac, and devices.
Q: How can I purchase Expression Encoder 3?
Expression Encoder 3 is available either as part of the full Expression Studio 3
or part of Expression Web 3. It can be purchased from a range of resellers and online
resellers or can be purchased for immediate download from Microsoft’s online store.
For a comprehensive list of purchasing options, see the How To Buy page.
Q: What is the price for Expression Encoder 3?
A: Expression Studio 3 has an estimated retail price of US $599, Expression Web
3 has an estimated retail price of US $149.
Q: What are the upgrade options and prices?
A: Qualifying customers can upgrade to Expression Studio 3 for an estimated retail price of US $349 or Expression Web 3 for an estimated retail price of $79.
Q: In what languages will Expression Encoder 3 be available?
A: Each of the Microsoft Expression products is available in the following languages:
English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese Simplified, Chinese
Traditional, and Korean.
Q: Is there a trial version of Expression Encoder 3?
A: Not exactly. Even better than a trial, there is a limited feature version of Expression Encoder 3 that is free and never expires and is currently available for download here. Some of the limits include the lack of some 3rd party codecs, no Smooth Streaming for IIS encoding and a 10 minute time limit on the length of screen captures.
Q: Where can I find resources to help me use my Expression products?
A: There is an Expression Community Web site that contains a frequently updated wealth
of materials on all the Expression products and the Microsoft technologies that
they are designed to work with.
Product Specific
Q: What Video formats are supported by Expression Encoder?
A: Expression Encoder will support input of AVI, WMV, WMA, MOV (QuickTime), MPEG and additional formats with suitable (DirectShow) decompressors installed. Output formats include WMV and WMA and H.264.
Q: Can Expression Encoder be run on a server/ to batch run jobs?
A: Yes, Expression Encoder includes an Software Development Kit (SDK) to enable its functionality to be called from other software applications and batch job profile support for exactly these scenarios.
Q: Is video generated by the Expression Encoder supported by Silverlight?
A: Yes. Expression Encoder can encode videos and generate pre-set template "skins" for deployment of video to the web as part of a rich interactive media experienced through Silverlight.
Q: Is video generated by the Expression Encoder supported by Windows Media Player?
A: Yes. Expression Encoder fully supports Windows Media Video codecs and formats.
Q: Do I have to re-encode my existing Windows Media library to add it a Silverlight-powered web site?
A: No. Your existing Windows Media assets are compatible with Silverlight. You can design the user experience and add interactivity in Expression Studio but your existing Windows Media assets are ready for Silverlight today.
Q: Is video generated by the Expression Encoder supported by the new Microsoft Zune® devices?
A: Yes. The Zune devices support Windows Media Video format, which can be rendered by Expression Encoder.
Q: Is video generated by the Expression Encoder supported on mobile phones and devices that support Windows Media Video/Player?
A: Yes. The same videos that run in Windows Media Player on a Windows PC can also be used on mobile devices that include Windows Media player or support for Windows Media Video.
Q: Is video generated by the Expression Encoder supported by the Apple iPod or the Sony PSP devices?
A: Yes, any device that supports H.264 video is supported.
Support
Q: How do I get technical support for my purchased Expression product?
A: Visit Microsoft Help and Support.
Q: Is customer support offered with Expression Encoder free edition?
A: Formal support is not offered for this free Expression product. Instead, we have a community Web site and forums for all the Expression products where you can solicit feedback and help get your questions answered by the both the Expression community and the moderators from the different Expression teams.
Back to Top
