Factorizations of Wiener-Hopf type of elements of weighted Wiener algebras of continuous matrix-valued functions on a compact
abelian group are studied. The factorizations are with respect to a fixed linear order in the character group (considered
with the discrete topology). Among other results, it is proved that if a matrix function has a canonical factorization in
one such matrix Wiener algebra then it belongs to the connected component of the identity of the group of invertible elements
in the algebra, and moreover, the factors of the canonical factorization depend continuously on the matrix function. In the
scalar case, complete characterizations of canonical and noncanonical factorability are given in terms of abstract winding
numbers. Wiener-Hopf equivalence of matrix functions with elements in weighted Wiener algebras is also discussed.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2000). Primary 46J10 - Secondary 43A20
Keywords. Wiener algebra - Wiener-Hopf factorization - compact abelian group
The second author is supported by COFIN grant 2004015437 and by INdAM; the third and the fourth authors are partially supported
by NSF grant DMS-0456625; the third author is also partially supported by the Faculty Research Assignment from the College
of William and Mary.