Difference Between MP3 and MP4

MP3 Vs. MP4: Find out the

Difference Between MP3 and MP4

Both of these are types of file formats that basically store the files. There is a fundamental difference between MP3 and MP4. They store different types of files. But they also vary on more such grounds. Read ahead to know more.

What is MP4?

The term MP4 is an acronym for MPED-V AVC. Here, AVC stands for Advanced Video Coding. MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) created the MP4. It basically stores video, audio, text, and subtitles.

What is MP3?

The term MP3 is an acronym for MPEG Audio Layer 3. It is also a file format that the MPEG created. It mainly stores audio-related files and not graphic files.

Difference Between MP4 and MP3

Parameters
MP4
MP3

Full-Form
The term MP4 is an acronym for MPED-V AVC.
The term MP3 is an acronym for MPEG Audio Layer 3.

Type of File Format
It is a type of container for digital multimedia.
It is a format for audio coding and storage.

Release Year
MP4 is very new and was released in the market back in 2003.
MP3 is a comparatively older file format, and it was released back in 1994.

Extension Used
It uses the .mp4, .m4v, .m4r, .m4b, .m4p, and .m4a extension.
It uses the .mp3 extension.

Type of Media
The MP4 file format can easily handle various media types, like text, video, image, audio, etc.
The MP3 file format can only handle a single media type- audio.

Compatible Devices
The devices that support MP4 can easily play both- video and audio.
The devices that support MP3 can only play one type of media- the audio files present in them.

Extension
The MP4 file format is an extension of MPEG-4 Part 12 and Apple .mov QuickTime.
The MP3 file format is an extension of MP2.

Decrease of Quality
It is a compressing type of technology, and it also decreases the quality of both- video and audio files.
It is also a compressing type of technology, but it doesn’t decrease the overall quality of the audio files.

Video Compression
Compressing videos is possible with this file format.
Compressing videos is not possible with this file format.

Data Storage
Multimedia files like videos, images, graphics, etc., occupy more space in MP4 devices.
The audio files occupy very little space in the MP3 devices as compared to the MP4 ones.

Versatility
The MP4 file format is comparatively more versatile because it supports all types of multimedia files.
The MP3 file format is comparatively less versatile because it supports only audio files.

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