Last updated on 2013-07-25, by Irene

What is WAV

About WAV Format

WAV (or WAVE), shortening for Waveform audio format, this standard Microsoft and IBM audio file format was created for storing audio on PCs. It is a version of the RIFF bitstream format method good for storing data in “chunks”, and thus also close to the IFF and the AIFF format used on Amiga and Macintosh computers, respectively. Both WAVs and AIFFs are compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems. The format takes into account some differences of the Intel CPU such as little-endian byte order. The RIFF format acts as a “wrapper” for various audio compression codecs. It is the primary audio format which is now in use on Windows systems for raw audio. The Wave file format stores information about the file’s number of tracks (mono or stereo), sample rate, bit depth, as well as the uncompressed raw audio data.

WAV format contains uncompressed audio in PCM format (i.e. pulse-code modulation). PCM audio contains two channels of 44,100 samples per second, 16 bits per sample. Such lossless storage method keeps all the samples of an audio track. That is why WAV format is extensively used by professional users and audio experts for maximum audio quality. WAV audio can also be edited and manipulated with relative ease using software. It is the standard audio file format for CDs.

The WAV format is an uncompressed copy of a CD audio track that preserves CD-quality Redbook audio. Although this is the purest form of audio, it also takes up a significant amount of hard drive space (a typical three-minute song consumes more than 30MB of hard disk space). Playback of uncompressed WAV audio will be most important for audiophiles who can discern the loss of dynamic range and other limitations of compressed audio formats.

WAV file format is a file format for storing digital audio (waveform) data. It supports a variety of bit resolutions, sample rates, and channels of audio. This format is very popular upon IBM pc (clone) platforms, and is widely used in professional programs that process digital audio waveforms. It takes into account some pecularities of the Intel CPU such as little endian byte order. This format uses Microsoft’s version of the electronic arts interchange file format method for storing data in “chunks”.

Related Software

Leawo Video Converter (WAV Converter): an easy video and audio solution for any format conversions, with fast speed and excellent output guaranteed. You can merely convert audio or can extract audio from video and then carry out audio conversion. WAV Converter not only converts common audios to WAV format, but also converts WAV audio to other audio formats.

Leawo DVD Ripper (DVD to WAV Ripper): a useful DVD ripping program for users to rip DVD to video and audio in various formats. So with it you can enjoy great convenience to convert DVD to WAV audio for appreciation. This DVD to WAV Ripper enables you to convert DVD to WAV with fast speed and excellent output quality.

Related Source
MP3, AAC, M4A, WMV, ASF, MOV, Windows Media Player, VLC Player, Kmplayer

External Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wav