ADTS

The ADTS filetype, standing for Audio Data Transport Stream, is a common format used for storing and transferring compressed audio data. Primarily associated with AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), which is widely recognized for its efficiency and quality, ADTS is the encapsulation format that wraps the AAC data to ensure it is transmitted correctly. Developed as part of the MPEG-2 standard, and later included in MPEG-4, ADTS has been in use since the mid-1990s.

How ADTS Works

ADTS facilitates the transmission of audio by adding headers to the AAC audio stream. These headers contain synchronization information, error detection, and bitrate information, making them crucial for players to decode and play the audio stream seamlessly. Its structure is designed to be both robust and flexible so that it can effectively handle varying conditions during streaming.

Software That Utilizes ADTS

Many popular media players and audio processing tools support the ADTS format. Software like VLC Media Player, iTunes, and Foobar2000, as well as various digital audio workstations (DAWs), can play and manipulate ADTS files. Additionally, the format is supported natively on numerous operating systems, including Windows and macOS, which contributes to its widespread use.

Alternatives to ADTS

While ADTS is closely tied to AAC, there are other container formats like MP3, FLAC, ALAC, and WAV that serve similar purposes for audio storage and streaming. Each of these alternatives has its own advantages and features that cater to different needs. For instance, MP3 is universally compatible, FLAC provides lossless compression, ALAC is optimized for Apple devices, and WAV offers uncompressed audio for maximum quality. The choice of format typically depends on the balance between audio quality, file size, and compatibility requirements.