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Supported Formats
Convert between all major file formats with high quality
Common Formats
MPEG-1 Audio Layer III - the most universal audio format worldwide, using lossy compression to reduce file sizes by 90% while maintaining excellent perceived quality. Perfect for music libraries, podcasts, portable devices, and any scenario requiring broad compatibility. Supports bitrates from 32-320kbps. Standard for digital music since 1993, playable on virtually every device and platform.
Waveform Audio File Format - uncompressed PCM audio providing perfect quality preservation. Standard Windows audio format with universal compatibility. Large file sizes (10MB per minute of stereo CD-quality). Perfect for audio production, professional recording, mastering, and situations requiring zero quality loss. Supports various bit depths (16, 24, 32-bit) and sample rates. Industry standard for professional audio work.
Ogg Vorbis - open-source lossy audio codec offering quality comparable to MP3/AAC at similar bitrates. Free from patents and licensing restrictions. Smaller file sizes than MP3 at equivalent quality. Used in gaming, open-source software, and streaming. Supports variable bitrate (VBR) for optimal quality. Perfect for applications requiring free codecs and good quality. Growing support in media players and platforms.
Advanced Audio Coding - successor to MP3 offering better quality at same bitrate (or same quality at lower bitrate). Standard audio codec for Apple devices, YouTube, and many streaming services. Supports up to 48 channels and 96kHz sample rate. Improved frequency response and handling of complex audio. Perfect for iTunes, iOS devices, video streaming, and modern audio applications. Part of MPEG-4 standard widely supported across platforms.
Free Lossless Audio Codec - compresses audio 40-60% without any quality loss. Perfect bit-for-bit preservation of original audio. Open-source format with no patents or licensing fees. Supports high-resolution audio (192kHz/24-bit). Perfect for archiving music collections, audiophile listening, and scenarios where quality is paramount. Widely supported by media players and streaming services. Ideal balance between quality and file size.
MPEG-4 Audio - AAC or ALAC audio in MP4 container. Standard audio format for Apple ecosystem (iTunes, iPhone, iPad). Supports both lossy (AAC) and lossless (ALAC) compression. Better quality than MP3 at same file size. Includes metadata support for artwork, lyrics, and rich tags. Perfect for iTunes library, iOS devices, and Apple software. Widely compatible across platforms despite Apple association. Common format for purchased music and audiobooks.
Windows Media Audio - Microsoft's proprietary audio codec with good compression and quality. Standard Windows audio format with native OS support. Supports DRM for protected content. Various profiles (WMA Standard, WMA Pro, WMA Lossless). Comparable quality to AAC at similar bitrates. Perfect for Windows ecosystem and legacy Windows Media Player. Being superseded by AAC and other formats. Still encountered in Windows-centric environments and older audio collections.
Lossless Formats
Apple Lossless Audio Codec - Apple's lossless compression reducing file size 40-60% with zero quality loss. Perfect preservation of original audio like FLAC but in Apple ecosystem. Standard lossless format for iTunes and iOS. Supports high-resolution audio up to 384kHz/32-bit. Smaller than uncompressed but larger than lossy formats. Perfect for iTunes library, audiophile iOS listening, and maintaining perfect quality in Apple ecosystem. Comparable to FLAC but with better Apple integration.
Monkey's Audio - high-efficiency lossless compression achieving better ratios than FLAC (typically 55-60% of original). Perfect quality preservation with zero loss. Free format with open specification. Slower compression/decompression than FLAC. Popular in audiophile communities. Limited player support compared to FLAC. Perfect for archiving when maximum space savings desired while maintaining perfect quality. Best for scenarios where storage space is critical and processing speed is not.
WavPack - hybrid lossless/lossy audio codec with unique correction file feature. Can create lossy file with separate correction file for lossless reconstruction. Excellent compression efficiency. Perfect for flexible audio archiving. Less common than FLAC. Supports high-resolution audio and DSD. Convert to FLAC for universal compatibility.
True Audio - lossless audio compression with fast encoding/decoding. Similar compression to FLAC with simpler algorithm. Open-source and free format. Perfect quality preservation. Less common than FLAC with limited player support. Perfect for audio archiving when FLAC compatibility not required. Convert to FLAC for broader compatibility.
Audio Interchange File Format - Apple's uncompressed audio format, equivalent to WAV but for Mac. Stores PCM audio with perfect quality. Standard audio format for macOS and professional Mac audio applications. Supports metadata tags better than WAV. Large file sizes like WAV (10MB per minute). Perfect for Mac-based audio production, professional recording, and scenarios requiring uncompressed audio on Apple platforms. Interchangeable with WAV for most purposes.
Modern Formats
Opus Audio Codec - modern open-source codec (2012) offering best quality at all bitrates from 6kbps to 510kbps. Excels at both speech and music. Lowest latency of modern codecs making it perfect for VoIP and real-time communication. Superior to MP3, AAC, and Vorbis at equivalent bitrates. Used by WhatsApp, Discord, and WebRTC. Ideal for streaming, voice calls, podcasts, and music. Becoming the universal audio codec for internet audio.
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Matroska Audio - audio-only Matroska container supporting any audio codec. Flexible format with metadata support. Can contain multiple audio tracks. Perfect for audio albums with chapters and metadata. Part of Matroska multimedia framework. Used for audiobooks and multi-track audio. Convert to FLAC or MP3 for universal compatibility.
Legacy Formats
MPEG-1 Audio Layer II - predecessor to MP3 used in broadcasting and DVDs. Better quality than MP3 at high bitrates. Standard audio codec for DVB (digital TV) and DVD-Video. Lower compression efficiency than MP3. Perfect for broadcast applications and DVD authoring. Legacy format being replaced by AAC in modern broadcasting. Still encountered in digital TV and video production workflows.
Dolby Digital (AC-3) - surround sound audio codec for DVD, Blu-ray, and digital broadcasting. Supports up to 5.1 channels. Standard audio format for DVDs and HDTV. Good compression with multichannel support. Perfect for home theater and video production. Used in cinema and broadcast. Requires Dolby license for encoding.
Adaptive Multi-Rate - speech codec optimized for mobile voice calls. Excellent voice quality at very low bitrates (4.75-12.2 kbps). Standard for GSM and 3G phone calls. Designed specifically for speech, not music. Perfect for voice recordings, voicemail, and speech applications. Used in WhatsApp voice messages and mobile voice recording. Efficient for voice but inadequate for music.
Sun/NeXT Audio - simple audio format from Sun Microsystems and NeXT Computer. Uncompressed or μ-law/A-law compressed audio. Common on Unix systems. Simple header with audio data. Perfect for Unix audio applications and legacy system compatibility. Found in system sounds and Unix audio files. Convert to WAV or MP3 for modern use.
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RealAudio - legacy streaming audio format from RealNetworks (1990s-2000s). Pioneered internet audio streaming with low-bitrate compression. Obsolete format replaced by modern streaming technologies. Poor quality by today's standards. Convert to MP3 or AAC for modern use. Historical importance in early internet audio streaming.
Specialized Formats
DTS Coherent Acoustics - surround sound codec competing with Dolby Digital. Higher bitrates than AC-3 with potentially better quality. Used in DVD, Blu-ray, and cinema. Supports up to 7.1 channels and object-based audio. Perfect for high-quality home theater. Premium audio format for video distribution. Convert to AC-3 or AAC for broader compatibility.
Core Audio Format - Apple's container for audio data on iOS and macOS. Supports any audio codec and unlimited file sizes. Modern replacement for AIFF on Apple platforms. Perfect for iOS app development and professional Mac audio. No size limitations (unlike WAV). Can store multiple audio streams. Convert to M4A or MP3 for broader compatibility outside Apple ecosystem.
VOC (Creative Voice File) - audio format from Creative Labs Sound Blaster cards. Popular in DOS era (1989-1995) for games and multimedia. Supports multiple compression formats and blocks. Legacy PC audio format. Common in retro gaming. Convert to WAV or MP3 for modern use. Important for DOS game audio preservation.
Speex - open-source speech codec designed for VoIP and internet audio streaming. Variable bitrate from 2-44 kbps. Optimized for speech with low latency. Better than MP3 for voice at low bitrates. Being superseded by Opus. Perfect for voice chat, VoIP, and speech podcasts. Legacy format replaced by Opus in modern applications.
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How to Convert Files
Upload your files, select output format, and download converted files instantly. Our converter supports batch conversion and maintains high quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PRC audio format and where did it come from?
PRC (Psion Record) is a compressed audio format created by Psion for their groundbreaking PDA devices - the Psion Series 3, Series 5, Series 7, and Revo (1991-2003). These were the dominant handheld organizers before smartphones existed, popular with business professionals and tech enthusiasts. PRC was specifically designed for voice note recording on devices with extremely limited storage (512KB to 8MB in early models).
Why compress so aggressively? Psion PDAs ran on AA batteries and had tiny amounts of memory. Recording meetings or voice notes needed efficient compression. PRC used ADPCM-style compression optimized for speech at very low bitrates (around 8-16kbps), achieving 4:1 or better compression vs uncompressed. Quality was acceptable for voice memos but terrible for music - exactly what the use case demanded.
Why should I convert PRC files to modern formats?
Convert PRC files because:
Dead Platform
Psion discontinued PDAs in 2003. Platform is dead. No modern devices play PRC. Convert for accessibility.
Software Extinct
Original Psion software doesn't run on modern Windows/Mac. Emulators exist but cumbersome. WAV/MP3 play everywhere.
Historical Preservation
Old voice memos, meeting notes, dictation on Psion devices are trapped in obsolete format. Convert to preserve memories.
Better Compatibility
WAV/MP3 work on phones, computers, tablets, cars. PRC works... nowhere modern. Conversion essential for usability.
PRC is technological dead-end from pre-smartphone PDA era. Convert to WAV or MP3 to make recordings accessible again.
How does PRC compare to other voice formats?
PRC in context of voice compression:
Ultra-Low Bitrate
PRC achieved 8-16kbps for speech. Comparable to AMR (mobile calls) but earlier. Quality acceptable for voice, terrible for music.
ADPCM-Based
Used Adaptive Differential PCM compression. Similar to VOX (Dialogic) and IMA ADPCM but Psion's proprietary variant.
Platform-Specific
PRC only existed on Psion devices. Never cross-platform. Compare to WAV (universal) or MP3 (ubiquitous).
1990s Technology
PRC from era before MP3, AAC, modern codecs. Primitive by today's standards but impressive for 1991 PDA constraints.
Speech-Only
Optimized exclusively for human voice (300-3400Hz). Useless for music or complex audio. Purpose-built format.
No Metadata
Minimal header, no tags, no timestamps beyond file system. Bare-bones format for storage-constrained devices.
Mono Recording
Always mono (single microphone on PDA). Stereo would waste precious storage. All Psion recordings were mono.
PRC was clever solution for 1990s PDA constraints but offers nothing modern formats don't do better. Historical curiosity only.
Can I recover audio quality when converting PRC to WAV?
No, PRC audio quality can't be improved through conversion. PRC used heavy compression optimized for speech at low bitrates (8-16kbps). Audio information was permanently discarded during recording. Converting to WAV just stores that compressed quality in uncompressed container - the quality remains telephone-level at best.
What to expect: PRC recordings sound like phone calls - intelligible speech but muffled, no high frequencies, compression artifacts. Converting to WAV or MP3 maintains this quality level. You're not recovering anything lost; you're making the existing low-quality recording playable on modern devices.
Best practice: Convert PRC to MP3 at moderate bitrate (96-128kbps). Using higher bitrates or lossless formats wastes space - source is already low quality. MP3 at 96kbps is perfect for PRC conversions, producing small files that preserve the limited fidelity.
What software can open and convert PRC files?
PRC support is extremely rare in modern software. Original Psion software (Psion Converter, PsiWin) ran on Windows 98/XP but barely works on Windows 10/11. Emulators like PsiLinux exist but are complex. Specialized audio forensics tools sometimes support PRC. Most users need dedicated conversion utilities or online converters.
Our converter handles PRC to WAV/MP3 conversion easily. Upload PRC file, select output format (WAV for archival, MP3 for practical use), download. No need to hunt for obsolete Psion software or fight Windows compatibility issues. Online conversion is simplest solution for occasional PRC files.
For batch processing old Psion archives: ffmpeg might support PRC with right plugins, but it's hit-or-miss. Specialized retro computing tools exist but require technical knowledge. For most people with a few old Psion recordings, online converter is the path of least resistance.
Why did Psion create their own audio format?
Psion needed extreme efficiency for their memory-constrained PDAs. Standard formats like WAV would fill 1MB of storage in seconds of recording. MP3 wasn't practical on 1991-1995 hardware (too CPU-intensive to encode on 8-16MHz ARM processors). Psion created PRC specifically for their hardware constraints and use case (voice memos, dictation).
PDA reality: Psion Series 3a (1993) had 512KB RAM. Recording voice without custom compression would instantly fill memory. PRC's aggressive ADPCM compression made voice recording practical. It was good engineering for the problem at hand - sacrifice quality for functionality on limited hardware.
Platform lock-in: Proprietary format also kept users in Psion ecosystem. Recordings only worked with Psion devices and software. This was common in 1990s (Apple, Palm, Microsoft all had proprietary formats). Interoperability wasn't the priority; functionality on constrained hardware was.
Are Psion PRC recordings historically valuable?
Potentially very valuable! Psion PDAs were used by professionals, journalists, academics, and business people in 1990s-early 2000s. PRC files might contain: meeting notes, interviews, lectures, business dictation, personal voice diaries. These are unique historical artifacts from pre-smartphone mobile computing era.
If you have old Psion devices or backups with PRC files: convert them before hardware fails or format becomes completely unsupported. These recordings are irreplaceable memories or historical documentation. Family voice notes, business meetings, academic fieldwork - all trapped in obsolete format until converted.
Preservation priority: Convert PRC files sooner rather than later. Every year makes recovery harder as tools disappear and knowledge fades. Use our converter or archive-grade tools to save these recordings to WAV (lossless) and MP3 (practical). Future you (or historians) will thank present you.
What are PRC format technical specifications?
PRC technical details (reverse-engineered, as Psion never published full specs):
Sample Rates
Typically 8kHz (telephone quality). Some Psion models supported up to 11kHz. Mono only - stereo would waste storage.
Compression
ADPCM variant optimized for speech. Achieved ~4:1 compression. Lossy but acceptable for voice memos.
Bitrates
Approximately 8-16kbps. Varied by Psion model and recording settings. Very low bitrate even for speech.
File Structure
Simple header with basic info (sample rate, length, compression type). Minimal overhead for storage efficiency.
Platform Dependency
Designed exclusively for Psion EPOC operating system. Never intended as cross-platform format.
PRC was engineering solution for 1990s PDA hardware constraints. Specs optimized for Psion's ARM processors and tiny memory.
Can modern phones play PRC files?
No. Android and iOS have zero PRC support. It's obsolete proprietary format from dead platform. Modern smartphones don't include Psion-era codec support. PRC files won't play on iPhones, Android phones, Windows phones, or any contemporary mobile device.
The solution: Convert PRC to MP3 or AAC before transferring to phone. Once converted, plays like any other audio file. Our converter handles this - upload PRC, download MP3, sync to phone. Simple workflow to make old Psion recordings mobile-accessible.
Why no support? PRC was niche format even when Psion dominated PDA market. After Psion exit in 2003, no incentive for anyone to maintain support. Modern codecs (AAC, Opus) are vastly superior. No reason for phones to support 30-year-old proprietary voice format.
When should I keep PRC vs convert to modern formats?
Decide based on your situation:
Convert for Usage
If you want to actually listen to recordings, convert to MP3/WAV. PRC is unplayable on modern devices.
Archive Originals
If historically significant, keep PRC originals plus converted copies. Preserves authentic artifact.
Batch Convert Collections
If you have folder of PRC files from old Psion, convert entire collection. Don't wait until format becomes unrecoverable.
Retro Computing Enthusiasts
If collecting Psion artifacts for retro computing, keep PRC for authenticity. But make modern copies too.
No Advantage to PRC
PRC offers zero benefits over modern formats. Only keep if historical value or digital archaeology.
Convert ASAP
Tools and knowledge for PRC conversion fade yearly. Convert now while still possible. Don't procrastinate.
Cloud Storage
Store converted files in cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox). Ensures permanent accessibility.
Metadata Preservation
Note date/context when converting. PRC files have minimal metadata. Add descriptions to MP3 tags.
Family Memories
Old voice memos have sentimental value. Convert to preserve family history before Psion devices die.
Format Has No Future
PRC will only become harder to work with. Every year means more lost knowledge and fewer tools. Act now.
How do I extract PRC files from old Psion backups?
Psion backups (.dbf, .psi files) require Psion software to extract. PsiWin (Windows software that came with Psion devices) can open backups and extract files, but it's designed for Windows XP and earlier. Running PsiWin on Windows 10/11 requires compatibility mode or virtual machine running old Windows.
Alternative approach: Psion devices can transfer files directly via serial cable or infrared (if you still have working Psion hardware). Connect to PC using PsiWin or PsiLink, browse internal storage, copy PRC files to PC. From there, convert using our tool.
Modern solution: Some retro computing enthusiasts created open-source Psion file readers. Search for 'psion file extractor' or 'EPOC file tools' on GitHub. These command-line tools can extract from backups on modern systems without running ancient software.
Is PRC quality good enough for transcription?
Depends on recording conditions and speech clarity. PRC at 8kHz with ADPCM compression is telephone quality - adequate for understanding clear speech in quiet environments but challenging for transcription software or human transcribers in noisy conditions. If original recording was clear (close microphone, quiet room), transcription is possible but not ideal.
Modern speech recognition (Google Speech, Whisper AI) trained on higher-quality audio struggles with PRC's limited bandwidth and compression artifacts. Transcription accuracy will be lower than with CD-quality recordings. Manual transcription might be more reliable than automated tools for PRC files.
Best practice: Convert PRC to WAV first (preserves whatever quality exists), then feed to transcription service. Some services handle low-quality audio better than others. For critical transcriptions, consider professional services that specialize in poor-quality audio rather than automated tools.
Can I improve PRC audio quality with processing?
Minimally. PRC audio is fundamentally limited by recording conditions and compression. Audio enhancement tools (noise reduction, equalization, normalization) can help marginally - reducing background hiss, boosting speech frequencies, normalizing volume. But you can't restore frequencies that were never recorded (PRC cuts off above ~4kHz).
Realistic improvements: Audacity or Adobe Audition can reduce constant background noise, amplify quiet recordings, remove clicks/pops. These make PRC recordings more listenable but don't fundamentally improve quality. You're polishing low-fidelity audio, not magically creating high-fidelity.
AI upscaling: Modern AI tools (Audo Studio, Adobe Podcast Enhance) can impressively improve speech recordings but work best with decent source quality. PRC's extreme compression limits their effectiveness. Worth trying but don't expect miracles. Manage expectations.
What happened to Psion and why did PRC die?
Psion was hugely successful in 1990s PDA market with Series 3/5 devices beloved by professionals. However, smartphones (BlackBerry, Palm Treo, eventually iPhone in 2007) killed standalone PDA market. Psion exited consumer hardware in 2001, fully discontinued PDAs by 2003. Company pivoted to enterprise software and was eventually acquired.
PRC died with Psion hardware. As devices failed and platform became obsolete, PRC files became trapped. No successor company maintained format support. Unlike Palm (acquired by HP, then others) or Apple (continuous evolution), Psion simply ended. Format support ended with it.
Legacy lesson: Proprietary formats die with their platforms. Open standards (WAV, MP3, FLAC) survive because they're not tied to single vendor. If you have important recordings, always keep copies in open formats. PRC is cautionary tale of format lock-in.
Should I convert PRC to WAV or MP3?
For archival: Convert to WAV. Preserves exact PRC quality without additional loss. WAV files can be converted to any format later without generational loss. Storage is cheap - keep lossless WAV archives of PRC conversions.
For practical use: Convert to MP3 at 96-128kbps. PRC quality doesn't warrant higher bitrates. MP3 at 96kbps preserves PRC fidelity while keeping files small and universally compatible. Perfect for listening on modern devices.
Dual approach: Convert once to WAV (archival master), generate MP3 from WAV for daily use. This workflow preserves maximum quality while providing convenient copies. Cloud-store both formats. Future-proofs your old Psion recordings against further format obsolescence.