Can I convert video to audio on Android?
Converting video files into audio format on Android devices provides several benefits. It allows you to extract the audio track from a video in order to listen to it without the visuals. This can save battery life, storage space, and internet data usage compared to streaming or downloading the full video file. It also enables audio-only playback in instances where a video would be distracting or inappropriate. Overall, converting video to audio on Android gives you more options and flexibility for enjoying media content on the go.
In this guide, we’ll cover the built-in tools and third party apps available for converting video to audio on Android. We’ll look at techniques like using online converter sites and command line tools for more advanced users. We’ll also explore settings for optimizing audio quality and troubleshooting tips. By the end, you’ll understand the range of options for stripping the audio out of video files right on your Android device.
Why Convert Video to Audio?
One of the main reasons to convert video to audio is to save storage space. Video files tend to be much larger than audio files. For example, according to this Quora post, in a 2GB video file, only about 200MB will be audio data. The rest is taken up by the video component. Converting to audio can shrink files down drastically. An MP3 audio file is often 128kbps or more, while the video file it came from could be 500MB to 1GB for just a few minutes of footage. Converting videos to audio before storing them on your Android device is an easy way to save a lot of storage capacity.
Built-in Conversion Options
Most modern Android devices come with some built-in video to audio conversion capabilities that you can take advantage of without needing to download any additional apps or software.
One of the most full-featured and versatile built-in conversion options on Android is VLC media player. VLC is an open-source, cross-platform multimedia player that can handle just about any video and audio format you throw at it. Here’s how you can use VLC to convert video files to audio on your Android device:
– Install VLC from the Google Play Store if you don’t already have it.
– Open VLC and find the video file you want to convert to audio.
– Tap on the video to start playback.
– Tap the menu button (3 dots in upper right corner) and select “Audio > Save audio”.
– Choose the quality, format, and save location for the output audio file.
– Tap “Start” to begin the conversion process.
The great thing about using VLC is that it supports converting to common audio formats like MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC and more. And it allows you to tweak the audio quality settings. The conversion happens locally on your device and is generally very quick.
So if you already have VLC on your Android phone or tablet, take advantage of its built-in conversion powers before trying other options.
Third Party Apps
One of the most popular third party apps for converting video to audio on Android is Video to MP3 Converter. This easy-to-use app allows you to extract the audio track from video files and save them as MP3 files. Some key features of Video to MP3 Converter include:
- Supports various video formats including MP4, AVI, FLV, WMV, and more
- Allows batch conversion so you can convert multiple videos at once
- Offers high-quality audio output with custom bitrate settings
- Simple interface that’s easy to navigate
- Free to download with no ads
Video to MP3 Converter is a great option for Android users looking to extract audio from videos. With its conversion speed, output quality, and ease of use, it’s one of the top choices on the platform. The app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.
Online Converter Websites
Two of the most popular and widely used online video to audio converter websites are CloudConvert and OnlineVideoConverter.
CloudConvert (https://cloudconvert.com/) is one of the best online converters available. It supports over 200 different file formats and offers high quality audio conversion at fast speeds. CloudConvert can extract and convert audio from video files like MP4, MOV, AVI and many more. It allows users to easily convert video to MP3, WAV, OGG and other standard audio formats.
OnlineVideoConverter (https://www.onlinevideoconverter.com/video-converter) is another excellent online converter option. It can extract audio from a wide array of video file types and save the output in common audio formats. OnlineVideoConverter also provides advanced settings like bitrate control and sample rate adjustment for optimizing audio quality. The website offers unlimited file size and fast conversion speeds.
Both CloudConvert and OnlineVideoConverter provide an easy to use interface for extracting and downloading audio from video files. They allow processing multiple files at once. Users don’t need to install any software and can access these tools from any web browser. The converted audio can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device.
Using Command Line Tools
One of the most powerful ways to convert video to audio on Android is by using command line tools like FFmpeg. FFmpeg is an open source set of libraries that can record, convert and stream audio and video files. It works via command line and doesn’t have a graphical user interface.
To use FFmpeg on Android, you need to download and install a third party FFmpeg app like FFmpeg Media Encoder from the Play Store. These apps bundle FFmpeg binaries for Android along with a simple interface to run conversion commands.
Once installed, you can use FFmpeg commands like:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -q:a 0 -map a output.mp3
This will extract the audio from input.mp4 and save it as an MP3 file called output.mp3. The -q:a 0 parameter sets the output quality to max.
With some basic knowledge of FFmpeg, you have a powerful tool to convert media files directly on your Android device. The key benefit over GUI apps is having full control over conversion parameters for maximum quality and efficiency.
Converting While Downloading
One convenient way to convert video to audio on Android is by using apps that perform the conversion automatically while downloading the video. Two apps in particular stand out for this capability:
Videoder is a free video downloader app that allows you to download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and more. It can detect audio streams within videos and give you the option to download just the audio in MP3 format.
SnapTube is another excellent downloading app that can detect and extract audio. When downloading a video, simply select MP3 as the output format. The app will download the video file, extract the audio track, and save it as an MP3. SnapTube supports high quality 320kbps MP3 downloads.
The benefit of using Videoder or SnapTube for video to audio conversion is that it happens seamlessly during the download process. You don’t have to run the file through a separate conversion app after downloading. Just specify MP3 format, and the audio track will be ready immediately.
Optimizing Output Quality
When converting video to audio, it’s important to optimize the audio output quality by selecting the proper settings for bitrate, sample rate, and file format. The bitrate determines the amount of audio data used per second of playback. A higher bitrate allows for better quality, but results in a larger file size. For audio converted from video, aim for at least 128kbps bitrate for decent quality, or 320kbps for excellent quality according to recommendations.
The sample rate refers to how many audio samples are taken per second to digitally represent the audio waveform. Standard sample rates are 44.1kHz or 48kHz. There’s little audible difference between these for most audio, so 44.1kHz is sufficient in most cases. However, some apps may default to a lower 32kHz rate, so check this setting to avoid degraded audio quality.
For the audio file format, common compressed formats like MP3 and AAC provide good quality at smaller file sizes. Lossless formats like FLAC and ALAC preserve all audio data for the highest quality, but result in much larger files. Consider the intended use – compressed formats work well for portability, while lossless is better for archiving the highest fidelity according to Adobe’s recommendations.
Troubleshooting Tips
When converting video to audio on Android, you may run into issues with codecs or audio syncing. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
If you get an error message about an unsupported video codec, it means your Android device is unable to properly decode the audio from the video file. Try using a different video converter app or online service that supports more codecs. Alternatively, you can try re-encoding the video into a more compatible format before converting to audio.
Another common problem is audio lagging behind the original video. This audio sync issue makes the converted audio file sound out of place. To fix it, use video converter software that has audio sync correction tools. Some apps allow you to manually adjust the audio delay to get it back in sync.
You can also troubleshoot by adjusting the output audio sample rate. Try converting to 48000 Hz, as this is the standard sample rate used for videos. An incompatible audio sample rate can cause sync problems.
As a last resort, you may need to use a video editing tool to detach and export just the audio track from the video file. This will provide you with a cleanly extracted audio file that should avoid sync issues.
With some trial and error using different software and settings, you should be able to troubleshoot any conversion issues and end up with a properly synced audio file extracted from your video.
Conclusion
In summary, Android devices offer a few different options for converting video files to audio. The built-in video player has a basic convert feature that can extract the audio track. Third party apps like Video to MP3 Converter provide more control over output format and quality. Online converters are quick and easy if you don’t mind uploading your videos. For batch conversions or automation, command line tools like FFmpeg may be preferable. And utilities like SnapTube and YMusic can convert during the download process.
To get the best results, choose an audio format like M4A that preserves quality. Adjust the bitrate higher for better audio, but beware of large file sizes. Always check the converted files to make sure the audio plays properly before deleting any originals. With the right tools and settings, you can successfully extract audio from video on your Android device.
