What is a XESC File and How to Convert XESC to MP4

Have you ever come across a strange file format called XESC and wondered what it is and how you can view or edit it? XESC files contain video recordings made by Xilinx chip-based devices like surveillance cameras and advanced driver-assistance systems in cars. However, this proprietary format is not playable on common media players which support formats like MP4, AVI or MOV.

So, if you need to view a XESC file, you will have to convert it first. Converting XESC footage into the more common MP4 format allows the videos to be viewed most standard video players. The process requires specific video conversion software that is capable of decoding the Xilinx streams and re-encoding them into MP4. Read on and let's figure out more on it.

Part 1. What is a XESC File?

XESC is a video file format that contains screen captures and recordings made using Microsoft's Expression Encoder software. Expression Encoder is a screen recording program developed by Microsoft as part of their Expression Studio suite of tools for developers and designers.

XESC files can contain both video and audio that has been recorded directly from the computer screen. They allow users to create video tutorials, product demonstrations, and other recordings where showing on-screen activity is important.

Some key features of the XESC file format include:

Lossless video quality - The video is preserved exactly as it appeared on the original screen when recorded.
Small file size - XESC uses compression to keep files compact for easy sharing and storage.
Built-in audio support - Audio from microphones or the system can also be recorded alongside video.
Windows Media Player support - No extra codecs are needed as Windows Media Player can natively open and play XESC files.

Part 2. How to Open and View XESC Video?

1. VLC Media Player

VLC media player is a free, open-source, cross-platform multimedia player that can handle a wide range of video and audio formats. It supports XESC video files out-of-the-box without needing to install any additional codecs. Beyond XESC playback, VLC also offers convenient features like adjustable playback speed, video snapshots, media conversion, Chromecast streaming, extensions and more. Its versatile format support and lack of spyware or ads has made VLC an immensely popular choice for 120 million users worldwide.

2. Microsoft Expression Encoder (Discontinued)

Microsoft Expression Encoder was the original screen capturing and encoding software from Microsoft that produced XESC file recordings. It featured an intuitive timeline-based editing interface for trimming and cleaning up XESC recordings after capture.

Expression Encoder allowed exporting to other standard formats like WMV and offered advanced controls over video/audio quality and encoding parameters. It even enabled live streaming of screen capture footage. However, Microsoft discontinued active development of Expression Encoder in January 2017.

3. Microsoft Expression Studio (Discontinued)

Expression Studio was a suite of design and web development tools of which Expression Encoder was a part. As Expression Encoder supported playback of XESC files, the entire Expression Studio suite could also open and play XESC videos on Windows.

This made it easy for developers to view screen recordings of product behavior during testing. Like Expression Encoder itself though, Microsoft discontinued sales of Expression Studio in 2012 and mainstream support ended in 2017.

Part 3. How to Convert XESC to MP4 for Wide Playback

1. Convert XESC to MP4 in VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player provides a simple way to convert XESC files into the more universal MP4 format. This allows the recordings to be played on many more devices and platforms beyond Windows machines with Expression Encoder installed. The process leverages VLC's handy media conversion features to re-encode XESC videos into MP4 without any loss of quality. The steps are:

1.Open VLC and go to the "Media" menu;
2.Select "Convert/Save" to open the conversion dialogue box;
3.Click the "+" button and add the XESC files you want to convert from your file explorer;
4.Once added, click the "Convert/Save" button at the bottom;
5.The XESC files will now re-encode into MP4 format in the same folder, retaining their original filenames.

2. HitPaw Univd XESC to MP4 Converter

Univd Video Converter is a powerful yet easy-to-use video conversion software for Windows and Mac. It can convert between 1000+ video/audio formats including converting XESC to MP4. Some standout features are 4K/8K video support, GPU acceleration and advanced editing tools. It beats most alternatives for reliably converting XESC footage into MP4 with lightning speed while retaining flawless video quality. The full-featured software greatly simplifies the conversion complexity.

Guide to Batch Convert XESC to MP4 Video

Step 1: Open HitPaw Univd and Import XESC Files

Launch the HitPaw Univd app, switch to Converter tab and click "Add Files" button to browse and import your XESC files from your computer that need to be converted. You can also directly drag and drop the XESC files into the converter. The added XESC videos will appear in queue within the program interface, ready for conversion.

Step 2: Edit Video Metadata (Optional)

Before conversion, you can optionally edit metadata like title, artist, album etc by clicking the file name or edit icon. This allows adding descriptions and organizers for the final MP4 output files.

Step 3: Add External Subtitles (Optional)

HitPaw Univd enables adding external subtitle files like SRT or VTT to the XESC videos. Click "Add Subtitles" and browse to import subtitles you want embedded into the converted MP4 output.

Step 4: Select MP4 as Output Format

Click the inverted triangle beside each XESC file and select MP4 from the output format list. You can also select a unified MP4 output for all files together. Choose MP4 parameters if you want to customize the codec, quality etc.

Step 5: Enable GPU Acceleration and Begin Conversion

Go to the "Hardware Acceleration" tab and enable GPU acceleration for lightning fast XESC to MP4 encoding powered by your graphics card. Finally, click "Convert All" to begin batch conversion.

Step 6: Open Converted Files

Once conversion finishes, all output MP4 files can be accessed via the "Converted" tab. Click "Open Folder" to directly get the MP4s or re-add them to the app interface for any additional editing or processing.

FAQs about XESC File

Q1. Can Windows Media Player open XESC videos?

A1. Yes, Windows Media Player can natively open and play XESC files on Windows PCs where the Microsoft Expression Encoder codec is installed. The codec comes bundled with Expression Studio suite. Without it, an 'Unrecognized File Format' error occurs.

Q2. Can VLC play XESC files?

A2. Yes, VLC media player supports playback of XESC videos across platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux etc. without needing any additional codecs. It handles XESC files out-of-the-box due to its extensive format support.

Q3. How to Convert XESC to WMV?

A3. To convert XESC to Windows Media Video (WMV), you can use HitPaw Univd. Just add XESC files, select WMV as output format, enable GPU acceleration and click Convert. The batch XESC to WMV conversion will retain 100% of the quality.

Conclusion

Now you know what XESC video files are and how to properly open, view and convert them into more usable formats like MP4. While native playback requires Microsoft Expression Encoder, free tools like VLC provide a codec-free XESC viewing solution. For conversion across 1000+ formats including lossless MP4, HitPaw Univd is an unmatched cross-platform choice. We encourage our readers to try HitPaw to unlock XESC contents and enjoy faster encoding plus advanced editing capabilities.

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