How to Convert VCD to MP3
By Convert on Dec 16, 2010 with Comments 0
MP3 or MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 is a patented digital audio encoding format which is a form of lossy data compression. The lossy compression is used to decrease the amount of data required to support the audio recording. Though, the file loss some of its quality during the compression process, but it still sounds pretty much like original uncompressed audio file. The standard MP3 file uses the 128 Kbit/s bit rate, though you can use the higher or lower bit rate as per your requirement. An MP3 file is 1/11th the size of the CD file.
VCD or Video CD is a digital file format standard used for storing video on a Compact Disc. VCD uses some special VCD players such as DVD video players, Windows Media Player, and some game consoles. VCD file standard was first introduced in 1993 by Sony, Philips, JVC and Matsushita. It is normally referred to as the White Book standard. Video CDs are written by using the Mode-2/XA format which allows 800MB of VCD data to be stored on single 80 minutes CD.
In case you use Mode-1 format, your CD will store 700MB of data. This means that 80 minutes of VCD content will be saved on conventional 80 minutes CD and 74 minutes of VCD content on regular 74 minutes CD. We can say that the storage content will be associated with the net bit rate of VCD audio and video. With Video CD standard, the users will also get an opportunity to create DVD-quality still images/slide shows with audio at resolution of 704×480 (NTSC) or 704×576 (PAL/SECAM).
Users often want to convert VCD file to MP3 format in order to increase the compatibility with a variety of devices and also to enhance the storage properties. You can choose any utility software of your choice to convert VCD files to MP3 files.
Required Items
- Conversion Software (for example, Audio/Video to MP3 Maker)
- VCD files for conversion
Steps
- First of all make sure that your system has an MPEG decoder installed on it. If you have the files encoded with 1.1 or 2.0 formats, you need to install a DVD player that has an appropriate VCD encoder such as WinDVD or PowerDVD.
- Now, install the conversion software, to say ‘Audio/video to MP3 Maker’.
- After the installation is completed, launch the program by double clicking on the desktop icon. Hit the ‘Open Media File’ button on the menu.
- Insert the VCD into the CD/DVD drive. Look for the directory entry ‘MPEGAV’. Open the directory and you will see some VCD files labeled as AVSEQ01.DAT, AVSEQ02.DAT or MUSIC01.DAT, MUSIC02.DAT and so on.
- Now open the VCD file you want to convert to MP3.
- To convert the entire VCD file, select the whole file as output file and hit the ‘Convert’ button.
- If you don’t want to convert the entire file, drag the slide bar directly or simply hit the ‘Play’ button and set the ‘Start Time’ and the ‘End Time’. After setting the time, click on the ‘Convert’ button to start the conversion process.
- The program will prompt you when the conversion is complete.
Tips & Warning
- Make sure that you will not disturb the power cable or turn off your system while conversion is in progress. If you do so, you will need to reset the whole settings and start the conversion from the beginning.
