To convert DAT to M4A, select or drop your .dat file above, check that M4A is chosen as the output, and click Convert. This conversion runs on our server, and your files are deleted 72 hours later.
What is a DAT file?
DAT – Video CD video (DAT). DAT is the film of a Video CD: MPEG-1 pictures and sound in the files AVSEQ01.DAT, AVSEQ02.DAT… of the disc's MPEGAV folder, stored as CD-ROM XA sectors. Most players and editors made today do not open it; as MP4 it plays on any phone, TV or computer. Many programs also use .dat for their own data, and only Video CD tracks can be converted.
DAT Converter →What is an M4A file?
M4A – MPEG-4 audio (M4A). M4A is audio (usually AAC or Apple Lossless) in an MP4 file, the format of iTunes, Apple Music and iPhone voice memos. Converting makes a new file: the sound is decoded and written again, so converting from a lossy format never brings back what was lost.
M4A Converter →How to convert DAT to M4A
- Click Select File, or drop your .dat files anywhere on this page. You can add several at once.
- Check that M4A is chosen as the output format. On this page it is picked for you.
- Click Convert. When a file has to go to our server, the button says Upload and convert instead.
- Click Download next to each file when it's done.
DAT vs M4A: how they compare
| DAT | M4A | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Moving pictures and sound | A stream of sound |
| Editable | In video editors, once converted | In audio editors |
| Created by | Philips, Sony, JVC and Matsushita, 1993 | Apple, 2001 |
| Best for | Films and home videos on Video CDs (VCD) | Music in iTunes and on iPhones |
Good to know
- Take the films from the MPEGAV folder of the disc (AVSEQ01.DAT, AVSEQ02.DAT…), one file for each. The files in the CDI, EXT, SEGMENT and VCD folders are the disc's menus and player program, not the film.
- The sound of the video is made into an M4A file; the pictures are left out. Only the first sound track is converted.
Frequently asked questions
Is converting DAT to M4A free?
Yes. Everyone gets 25 free credits a day, with no account needed. Conversions on our server use one credit per started minute of work, so most cost a single credit. Credits reset at midnight UTC.
Are my DAT files uploaded anywhere?
This conversion runs on our server, because converting video needs ffmpeg, which does not run in a browser. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, and both it and the result are deleted 72 hours after the conversion. The server has no internet access while it works on your file.
How large can the DAT file be?
Up to 1 GB per file. This conversion runs on our server, which accepts files up to that size.
Will the M4A look the same as the DAT?
Only the sound is kept: the pictures are left out, and the M4A is made from the first sound track.
Can I convert several DAT files at once?
Yes. Add as many files as you like; they are converted one after another, and each one gets its own Download button.
Convert DAT to other formats
- DAT Converter
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- DAT to AIFF Converter
- DAT to AVI Converter
- DAT to FLAC Converter
- DAT to FLV Converter
- DAT to GIF Converter
- DAT to MKV Converter
- DAT to MOV Converter
- DAT to MP3 Converter
- DAT to MP4 Converter
- DAT to WAV Converter
- DAT to WEBM Converter
- DAT to WEBP Converter
- DAT to WMA Converter
- DAT to WMV Converter
Convert other files to M4A
- Convert to M4A
- MP4 to M4A Converter
- MOV to M4A Converter
- MKV to M4A Converter
- AVI to M4A Converter
- WEBM to M4A Converter
- WMV to M4A Converter
- FLV to M4A Converter
- MP3 to M4A Converter
- WAV to M4A Converter
- FLAC to M4A Converter
All video formats
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