Convert MP4 to WAV

MP4 is one of the most popular formats for multimedia storage and distribution. It is a container for processing of wide data range, from text and graphics to sound tracks and video. Also it is able to support high-quality files, such as 3D-graphics or user’s menus. It is provided in two versions: MPV (for audio) and M4A (for video). A less known extension .mpr is being used for ringtones.

MP4 files may be played by a number of programs, including Adobe Flash, Roxio Creator, Nero Multimedia Sulte, and a default plug-in Windows Media Player. They are adapted for Mac OS and supplied by modern portable players.

MP4/MPEG-4 has been widely used since 2001. By its nature, it is similar with MP3 although more technically complex. It involves AAC coding method and complies with the standards of ISO/IEX 14496-1. Video and audio contained in a MP4 file is usually played in real time. Thanks to extra information (e.g. file name or images) it differs significantly from MPEG. Often it is impossible to embed data in such a file without use of separate streams that commentary tracks are integrated to.

WAV format is intended for operation with digitalized audio stream. It contains musical compositions, voice recordings, and various audio effects. Developed by programmers from Microsoft and IBM, it is a key format for placing of uncompressed sound files on Windows PCs. The files can be played back in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, Wav Player and some other programs. In addition to that, they can be processed in audio editing apps.

When a file is compressed into WAV, the data are not supposed to be lost, and the quality is excellent. However, the format did not have a huge market share, due to its larger size, as compared with MP3. It is required to have enough time and disc space to upload and send such files via the Internet. One of the major advantages of WAV is linked to the use of Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM) for storage of audio stream. Consequently, a copy is just as good as an original, which is highly appraised by experts in music and professional users.

Sound files with this extension are recorded into 8 or 16 bit per sample. A standard option for CD Audio is an audio stream of 16 bit per sample and sampling frequency of 44.1 KHz. One second of sound corresponds to 88 Kb of internal memory. WAV files can store metadata in the INFO chunk, and they also include integrated IFF lists.

In some cases, the standard format may be used for broadcasting. For instance, BBC stereo data of 44 100 Hz and 16 bit are generally accepted within the VCS system.