Select WAV when you plan to edit. Expect a much larger file than MP3 or M4A, and keep the source video as a reference.
Ten minutes of stereo WAV at 44.1 kHz and 16 bits is approximately 101 MB. The same audio at 192 kbps MP3 is about 14.4 MB.
What WAV PCM means
WAV is a container and PCM describes uncompressed audio samples. ConvertAudio creates 16-bit PCM. Each second requires many more bytes than MP3, but an editor can work without decoding another lossy layer.
Recommended workflow
- Select the original video.
- Choose WAV; bitrate disappears because it does not apply.
- Check that enough storage is available.
- Convert and open the result in your editor.
- When finished, export a final WAV plus MP3 or M4A for sharing.
When it is worthwhile
WAV is useful for noise reduction, equalization, synchronization, mixing several tracks and archiving a working copy. For listening on a phone or sending the result, MP3 and M4A are far more practical.
WAV cannot improve the source
If the camera recorded compressed AAC, converting to WAV prevents another lossy stage during editing but cannot restore missing frequencies. Maximum quality remains limited by the video's track.
Sample rate
Actual size depends on sample rate and channels produced from the source. That is why the displayed figure is approximate. After download, an editor may report 44.1 or 48 kHz depending on conversion.
Manage storage
One hour of WAV can exceed 600 MB. If you do not need the entire video, trim the useful part first. Delete temporary copies only after confirming that the project opens correctly.
Check the editor before a large export
Create a short WAV sample and import it into the application you plan to use. Confirm that duration, channels and waveform appear correctly. This quick check avoids spending time and storage on a full conversion that needs different project settings.
Once editing is complete, preserve the project and one lossless master. Create smaller MP3 or M4A copies from that master instead of repeatedly converting already compressed files.
Convert your own video
Check the estimated size and process the file directly in your browser.
Open ConvertAudio