How to Check the Audio Codec of a Song or Video?

Audio codecs determine how sound is compressed and stored in music and video files. Different devices and apps require specific codecs to play audio properly. Common scenarios when you need to check audio codecs:

• 🎯 The video plays well but no sound
• 🎯 Your media player shows "unsupported audio format" errors
• 🎯 Convert music for specific devices (iPhone, Android, etc.)
• 🎯 Edit video projects with mismatched audio formats
• 🎯 Reduce file sizes without losing quality

Therefore, identifying the audio codec used in a music or video file can help troubleshoot playback issues and facilitate necessary conversions. This guide will show you three effective solutions.

Windows offers a straightforward way to get some clues about the audio codec used in a file through its file properties. Here's how you can do it:

• Navigate to the audio or video file you want to check in File Explorer.
• Right-click on the file and select "Properties" from the context menu.
• Switch to the "Details" tab on the pop-up dialog window.
• Then find codec info under the "Audio" section.

If you want to see the codec information more directly in File Explorer, you can add codec columns. Here are the steps:

• Open the folder that contains your favorite songs or a collection of videos.
• Switch to the "Details" view. This shows more information about each file in a tabular format.
• You can usually find this option in the "View" menu at the top of the File Explorer window.
• Right-click on the column headers and select "More..." from the menu.
• Scroll through this list until you find "Audio tracks". Check the box next to it and click "OK".
• Now, the audio codec information will be displayed in the respective columns.

macOS also provides an easy way to access information about the audio codec:

• Locate the audio or video file in Finder (the File Explorer for Mac users).
• Right-click on it and select "Get Info".
• Expand the "More Info" section. Here, you might find details about the audio codec.

Sometimes, it will clearly state the codec name, while other times, you might need to do a bit more research based on the information provided.

QuickTime Player, the default media player on macOS, can also be used to check the audio codec of video files:

• Open the video file with QuickTime Player.
• Click on "Window" in the menu bar and select "Show Movie Inspector".
• The audio codec info will be displayed under the "General" section.

And the Music app can be used to check the encoding type of a song:

• Open the audio file with the Music app.
• Right-click on it and select "Get Info".
• Switch to the "File" tab and check the audio codec in the "kind" section.

MediaInfo is a fantastic free, cross-platform tool that gives you extremely detailed technical information about media files. It's like having a media file detective on your side. Here's how to use it:

• Head over to the official MediaInfo website.
• Install the version that's compatible with your OS, whether it's Windows, macOS, or Linux.
• Launch the application. You'll see a simple interface.
• Now, here's the easy part. Drag and drop your media file into the MediaInfo window.
• Alternatively, right-click on your music or video file and select "MediaInfo".
• In an instant, MediaInfo will display a wealth of information about your file.

This includes the audio codec, bitrate, number of channels (like mono, stereo, or surround sound), and much more. It's an incredibly useful tool for getting in-depth knowledge about your media files.

VLC is not just a great media player; it can also be used to display codec information. If you don't have VLC installed, you can download it for free from the official website. Here's the walkthrough:

• Open the media file with VLC.
• Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Codec Information".
• Here, you'll find detailed information about both the audio and video codecs used in the file.

It's a convenient way to quickly check the audio codec while you're playing the media file.

WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is your all-in-one solution for codec checks and conversions. This functional video and audio processor not only helps you identify the codecs but also allows you to convert them to ensure compatibility across different devices and applications.

Key Features

• 📌 Instant codec detection for audio + video files
• 📌 600+ presets available for fixing compatibility issues in 1 click
• 📌 Batch-process media files simultaneously
• 📌 Basic editing like trimming, merging, splitting, etc.
• 📌 Additional Recorder, Downloader, and more.

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• DownloadDownload and install WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro on your PC.
• Launch it and open the "Converter" module.
• Drag and drop your video or audio file into the interface, or click "+ Add Files".

• Click on the first "File Information" icon on the editing toolbar.
• A pop-up window will display the comprehensive media details.
• Then check its audio encoder under the "Audio Information" section.

• Click on the Format image on the right side to expand the output format list.
• There are over 600 presets grouped in different categories. You can select any option based on your need.

• Click on the inverted triangle icon at the bottom to choose an output folder.
• Finally, hit the "Run" button to start the conversion process.

Identifying audio codecs doesn't have to be a headache! Here's the conclusion:

• 👉 Quick checks? Use your device’s built-in tools.
• 👉 Deep technical insights? Try MediaInfo or VLC.
• 👉 All-in-one solution? WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro handles detection + conversion + optimization effortlessly.

So, go ahead and start exploring these methods, and take control of your media experience! 🌟

A: Windows supports a fairly limited number of audio codecs. Some less-common or proprietary files aren't recognized by Windows. Try to install the K-Lite Codec Pack or use MediaInfo for full codec details.

A: Converting between lossless formats typically preserves quality, but converting from a lossy to another lossy format may result in quality degradation.

A: Lossy audio codecs (e.g., MP3, AAC) compress audio data by removing some information, resulting in smaller file sizes but a loss in quality. Lossless audio codecs (e.g., FLAC, ALAC) compress data without quality loss, preserving the original audio exactly.

A: Considering factors such as the desired audio quality, file size, compatibility with playback devices, and the intended use of the audio file (e.g., streaming, archiving, professional editing). For example, MP3 is widely compatible and suitable for general listening, while FLAC is preferred for archiving due to its lossless compression.

A: Most mobile devices provide basic file information, simply open the File Manager, Gallery, or Photo on your phone. Locate the media file, tap, and hold on it, and select Details or Properties. You can also install MediaInfo and VLC. Both provide mobile versions.