Comparison of MP3 and MP4 and Which One Is Better in Various Situations
July 27, 2021 11:20Posted by Brittany Garcia to MP3, MP4
MP3 and MP4 make up two of the most commonly used multimedia file formats today. Despite the apparent looks similar, the two cannot be more different from each other. Most people just know MP3 for audio files and MP4 for video files. However, have you ever thought about the difference between MP3 and MP4 in detail? Have you ever wondered why they are so different from each other? This article will answer these questions and make a comparison.
Before learn the differences between MP3 and MP4, you should know the basic concept of each.
MP3, short for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, is a multimedia format to store audio data with small file size. Unlike CDs, MP3 selectively removes pieces of data from uncompressed digital audio file. Of course, human ears cannot recognize the difference. The purpose is to compress audio without damaging the quality. Now, MP3 has become the standard for digital audio and widely used on digital devices as well as social media.
MP4, stands for MPEG-4 Part 14, is both a container as well as video file format. It is able to store video, audio, image, text and subtitle into a single file. As a container, MP4 may include various codec, such as AAC, ALAC and more audio codec. Now, MP4 is compatible on most digital devices, game consoles, DVD players, websites and social platforms.
Differences between MP3 and MP4
| MP3 | MP4 | |
|---|---|---|
| File extension | .mp3 | .mp4 |
| Store content | audio | Video, audio, text, etc |
| Compression | Lossy compression | The compression is lossless |
| Codec | MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 | Video: MPEG-4 Part 10 (H.264) and MPEG-4 Part 2 Audio: AAC, ALS, SLS, TTSI, MP3, and ALAC Subtitles: MPEG-4 Timed Text |
| File size | Smaller than MP4 | MP4 is bigger than MP3 in the same condition |
| Quality | The quality is comparatively poor | The quality is better than MP3 since MP4 use AAC or ALAC audio codec |
| Compatibility | Any music player can read it | Music players cannot open MP4. |
Compared to MP3, MP4 is more flexible, but MP3 produce smaller file size. Therefore, you may need to convert between MP3 and MP4. Blu-ray Master Free Online Video Converter is the best way to do the job. It works online and does not require installation. More importantly, you can get full features without paying a penny.
May Features of the Best MP4 Converter
Open a web browser when you need to convert media files. Visit https://www.bluraycopys.com/free-online-video-converter/. Click the Launch Free Converter button to get the launcher.
Hit the Add File button once the launcher pops up and upload the multimedia files that you want to convert. Then go to the bottom and select the target output format.
Click the Convert button to begin converting between MP3 and MP4. Finally, download the output files to your computer.
As mentioned previously, MP3 is widely accessible on digital devices, music players, and websites. However, MP4 cannot be opened in music players. Fortunately, Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Player enables you to play both MP3 and MP4 without lag.
Main Features of the Best MP3 and MP4 Player
How to Play MP3 or MP4 without Quality Loss
Open media file
Run the best media player after you install it on your computer. Then click the Open File button, find and select a media file that you want to play, and click Open.
Control media playback
Once the media file is loading, you will be presented the media player window. The buttons at the bottom let you control the playback, like pause, play, stop, fast forward or rewind. At important moment, click the Camera icon to take a snapshot. Advanced controls are hidden in the top menu bar.
Recommend: Best Blu-ray Ripper
The best way to back up your Blu-ray discs is to rip them into MP3 and MP4 files. To get it, you will need a powerful Blu-ray ripper, such as Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Ripper. Although it is free to use, you can get the features similar to professional software.
Main Features of the Best Free Blu-ray Ripper
Needless to say, it is the best choice to back up your Blu-ray movies into MP3 or MP4 files.
Can I save audio files in MP4 format?
Yes, you can save audio files in MP4 format. That will provide better audio quality, but file size will become larger compared to MP3. To save up space, you should save audio files in MP3 files.
Is MP4 better than MP3?
The answer is depending on your need. MP3 produce smaller file size, so you can save more files in certain space. On the other hand, MP4 produce better audio quality. Both MP3 and MP4 are widely used on digital devices and websites.
Why I cannot open MP4?
MP4 is a container that stores a variety of video and audio codecs. Usually, you can play MP4 videos on Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or any other video players. If any of them is not supported by your media player, the MP4 file won't be decoded. Plus, a corrupted MP4 file won't be played.
Now, you should understand the differences between MP3 and MP4. Although they are widely used today, MP3 and MP4 are totally different from each other. Fortunately, you can convert between them with Blu-ray Master Free Online Video Converter online for free. If you have other questions, please contact us by leaving a message below this post.
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