What is the Difference Between MP4 and WAV?

MP4 and WAV are two different media file formats used for different purposes. Here are the main differences between them:

• File type: MP4 files can contain both audio and video, as well as additional bit streams such as text, while WAV files are exclusively audio files.
• Compression: MP4 files are lossy and use compression during encoding, which results in smaller file sizes but some loss of audio quality. On the other hand, WAV files are lossless and use linear pulse code modulation format, providing better audio quality but larger file sizes.
• Development: MP4 was developed by the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) of ISO and is based on the QuickTime File Format (QTFF). WAV was developed by IBM and Microsoft and is a derivation from the Microsoft Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF).
• Popularity: MP4 files are more popular for streaming services and are familiar to Apple users, while WAV files are more popular on Windows and are commonly used in professional audio editing.
• File size: Due to data compression, MP4 files are smaller compared to WAV files, which have larger file sizes because they are lossless.

In summary, MP4 files are smaller and more suitable for streaming and Apple users, while WAV files offer better audio quality and are more popular on Windows and in professional audio editing.

Comparative Table: MP4 vs WAV

Here is a table comparing the differences between MP4 and WAV file formats:

MP4 files are versatile and can contain video, audio, and text, while WAV files are primarily used for storing audio. MP4 files are smaller in size and can use both lossy and lossless compression, depending on the codec used. In contrast, WAV files are larger and store uncompressed audio, making them easier to edit but taking up more storage space.