Does MP4 Support HI-Res Audio?
High-resolution audio (hi-res audio) consists of sound that has higher sampling and bit depth than CD-quality (44.1 kHz/16-bit).
This means it provides a clearer, deeper, and more realistic listening experience.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into whether or not MP4 supports hi-res audio!
What is the MP4 Format?
MP4, or MPEG-4 Part 14, is a digital multimedia container format. It’s renowned for its ability to store videos, audio, subtitles, images, and more in compressed but great quality.
While primarily used for videos, MP4 can also serve as a container for just audio files, which makes it more useful.
Hi-Res Sound: What Does It Mean?
Hi-res audio generally refers to an audio format with specifications beyond CD quality:
- Sampling Rate: Typically 96 kHz or 192 kHz instead of 44.1 kHz like on CDs
- Bits Per Channel: Most commonly 24-bit or better than CD’s 16-bit
It has the additional dynamic range and detail of an HD sound, which is good for audiophiles and musicians.
Does MP4 Support Hi-Res Audio?
MP4 can support hi-res audio, though with a couple of caveats:
Audio Codecs in MP4
MP4 uses codecs to encode and decode the audio. Popular ones include:
- AAC (Advanced Audio Codec): Default choice for MP4 but not necessarily the best option for high-resolution audio
- ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec): Capable of playing hi-res files in MP4
- FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec): Unsupported by MP4 but can be embedded with some programs
Hi-Res Audio Compatibility
- MP4 can contain high-quality files in ALAC/AAC-LC format so they maintain sound quality, but aren’t huge
- Lossy codecs, such as ordinary AAC, will decompress the sound to the point where it doesn’t maintain hi-res quality at all
Advantages of MP4 for Hi-Res Sound
Wide Compatibility
MP4 works with most hardware and platforms which makes it an easy option for watching hi-res recordings.
Versatility
It can store several files — video, audio, and more in a single container.
Compression Efficiency
Higher codecs mean even huge hi-res audio files are still playable while maintaining quality.
MP4’s Capacity For Hi-Res Audio is Strict
Codec Dependency
For lossless codecs such as ALAC, if you want to save hi-res files, you’ll need to choose one. The average AAC compression can worsen the quality significantly.
Limited Audiophile Use
Purists prefer dedicated hi-res audio formats such as FLAC and DSD, as they are specifically engineered for lossless hi-res audio storage.
Metadata Handling
MP4’s metadata is extensive but it’s not quite up to the job of hi-res audio tagging like dedicated formats.
How to Play Hi-Res Audio in MP4
Choose the Right Codec
Choose ALAC or AAC-LC if importing hi-res music into an MP4 container.
Use Quality Conversion Software
Hi-res videos and audio can be converted to MP4 with fidelity tools such as Adobe Audition or dBpoweramp.
Test Device Compatibility
Please make sure that your playback hardware or program plays hi-res MP4 videos properly.
Other Versions of MP4 for Hi-Res Audio
MP4 isn’t bad, but audiophiles often turn to these solutions:
- FLAC: Open source, free, and heavily supported for hi-res music
- DSD (Direct Stream Digital): Best option for high-resolution sound
- WAV: Uncompressed but results in huge file sizes
Conclusion
So yes, MP4 can play hi-res files as long as the audio has a codec compatible with MP4, such as ALAC. But if you’re looking for high-fidelity and very specialized audio, then FLAC or DSD could probably do the trick better.
Whether to prioritize compatibility, file size, or audio quality really comes down to personal preference.
If you enjoyed reading this article make sure you check out Can Viruses be downloaded with MP4 files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do MP4 videos have lossless audio?
Yes, MP4 video files can have lossless audio with codecs such as ALAC.
Does AAC support hi-res audio?
The standard AAC is lossy, so you won’t really have hi-res quality with this, but AAC-LC is better for hi-res audio.
What is better for high-res sound: MP4 or FLAC?
The lossless compression and audiophile acceptance of FLAC is one reason why it is the standard for hi-res audio.
What about high-res audio playback for MP4?
MP4 will work on most devices of today and should be fine to use with hi-res audio (assuming that the codec supports it).
Can I export FLAC to MP4 without hi-res loss?
Yes, you can maintain hi-res quality in the conversion if you apply ALAC to the MP4 container.
