File extension | .m4a |
File category | audio |
Description | Apple Inc. has designed M4A format on the basis of QuickTime Fike. Now the format is being promoted in iTunes. It is a multimedia container intended for placement of sound components, as well as other data, such as images. MPEG-4 files may be stored with extensions M4A and MP4. In the latter case, they contain video as well. Alongside these sound formats, MPEG-4 allows for lossy compaction, through FFC Codec. However, it is possible to provide a lossless compaction thanks to Apple Lossless format. The files may be played on Windows PCs via iTunes, Windows Media Player 12, KSP Sound Player, Winamp and some other programs. With iTunes, the data can be converted into Windows-supported audio formats. |
Technical details | In comparison with its predecessor MP3, M4A format provides with better sound quality and smaller file size. Thanks to lossless compaction, the data may be easily converted in both direction with no deterioration in quality. The sound data encoded with ACC compression, which reduces the file size considerably. Due to protection technology DRM, MP4 files cannot be easily distributed, while it is much simpler to replicate files in M4A; that is why “Apple Lovers” prefer the latter format. With M4A, it is possible to buy music in iTunes, as well as download it into smartphones or other devices. |
Programs | VLC media player Amarok Apple QuickTime Player |
Developer | Apple |
MIME type | audio/mpeg |
File extension | .mp3 |
File category | audio |
Description | MP3 is a digital format for storage of audio files designed by MPEG programmers. It is one of the most required codecs for digital coding. The format is widely used in various file-sharing sites for evaluation downloading. With this format, it is possible to compress CD tracks up to 1/10 of their original size while maintaining high playback quality. Overtones, which cannot be perceived by a human ear, are removed. Complex algorithms allow for smaller size of tracks. As a result, one compact disk can contain several hundred songs. MP3 is compatible with all most popular operating systems and supported by the most of modern DVD-players and music systems. |
Technical details | Prior to MP3 introduction, MPEG-1 had been widely used. That format contained not only audio data, but images as well. MP3 breaks an audio file into parts of the same length. When the processing is over, each part is packed into its own frame. It involves the technology of spectral limit that requires a continuous input signal to provide the use of two adjacent frames. When spectral deleting is over, the file is to be compressed with mathematic methods. If necessary, compression rate can be changed, even inside the same frame. Files of 128 kbit/s have 11-fold compression. Further reduction of the file size will lead to significant deterioration in sound quality. |
Programs | VLC media player jetAudio Audacity Plex Media Center Xine |
Developer | Moving Picture Experts Group |
MIME type | audio/mp3 audio/mpg audio/x-mpeg audio/mp3 audio/x-mpg |
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