Convert M4A to AC3

Input file

M4A

Full Name: MPEG-4 Compressed Audio Format
Developer: Apple

Output file

AC3

Full Name: Dolby Digital Sound Format
Developer: N/A

What is M4A file?

The M4A file format is an audio file that is encoded using Advanced Audio Coding (AAC). It is a more efficient compression method than the earlier MP3 and was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). It provides for higher quality sound than other audio file formats because of its lower bit rate, making it ideal for streaming audio and storing audio files on portable media such as CDs. It is also widely used for sharing music over the internet. [ ⏩ ] M4A file extension

What is AC3 file?

The AC3 (.AC3) file extension is an audio file format created by Dolby Labs for Dolby Digital audio. The AC3 file format is also known as Audio Coding 3. The AC3 format was designed for digital video and eMedia applications. The AC3 file specification defines a data structure containing sub-streams of sound including up to 6 mono or 5.1 channel surround sound. [ ⏩ ] AC3 file extension

Software, that you can use to convert

M4A to AC3 converters

How to convert the file from M4A to AC3?

To successfully convert the M4A file to AC3, you should install one of the applications from the list. After installing the software, open the program and select the file you want to convert (file-name.M4A). The next step is to select the target format from the list, in this case AC3 (usually converters allow you to convert to several different formats, so check out their features - maybe one of the available formats will suit you more than AC3).

What is a file conversion?

A data conversion is normally an automated process to some extent. The effect of the operation of one program is automatically the input product of another application. If that does not happen we need to help the process a little bit and convert the file on our own, e.g. M4A to AC3. To obtain a matched structure of the data, it is necessary to use an appropriate converter.

Program for converting M4A files to AC3 files is a kind of a "binary code translator" compensating for the differences in the code or translating it in such a way so that another application could use it. For us, as users, the visible change will be only another file extension. (After converting the file, it will be the extension AC3, while before this step we had the M4A file). For the programs, the difference is on a much higher level – either the application will be able to open a new AC3 file, or not.