Reset to defaults
Need help?Convert MPEG-2 to AAC Online
This tool extracts the audio track from an MPEG-2 video and re-encodes it as a standalone AAC file — the video stream is discarded, so you keep only the sound. MPEG-2 is the DVD and digital-broadcast standard from the mid-1990s, and the audio inside it is usually MP2 (MPEG Layer II) or AC-3 (Dolby Digital). AAC is the widely-supported successor to MP3, so this conversion is mainly useful for pulling playable, portable audio out of DVD rips, DVB or ATSC captures, and older camcorder MPEG-2 files.
MPEG-2 Format at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard | ISO/IEC 13818 (also ITU-T H.222/H.262) |
| Ratified | Mid-1990s (Part 1 & Part 2 published 1996) |
| Container | MPEG Program Stream / Transport Stream (.mpeg2, .mpg, .mpeg, .vob, .ts) |
| Video codec | MPEG-2 Part 2 (H.262) |
| Typical audio | MP2 (MPEG Layer II) or AC-3 / Dolby Digital; both lossy |
| Channels | Up to 5.1 surround (AC-3 on DVD) |
| Best for | DVD-Video, DVB / ATSC digital broadcast, legacy camcorders |
| Status | Largely superseded by H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC for new video |
AAC Format at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard | First defined as MPEG-2 Part 7 (ISO/IEC 13818-7:1997), expanded as MPEG-4 Part 3 (ISO/IEC 14496-3:1999) |
| Developed by | AT&T Labs, Dolby, Fraunhofer IIS, and Sony |
| Compression | Lossy (modified discrete cosine transform) |
| Relationship to MP3 | Designed as the successor to MP3; higher quality at the same bitrate |
| Sample rates | 8 kHz to 96 kHz |
| Channels | Up to 48 |
| Native playback | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari |
| Best for | Portable audio, streaming, and anything that needs broad device support |
How to Convert MPEG-2 to AAC
- Upload Your MPEG-2 File: Drag and drop your .mpeg2, .mpg, or .vob file, or click "+ Add Files" to select it. You can queue several files and convert them with the same settings.
- Set the Bitrate under File Compression: File Compression opens on Quality Preset, the automatic mode — that dropdown preselects "Very High (Recommended)", and it is the least predictable of the rate controls. Switch to Constant Bitrate (a ladder from 8 kbps to 384 kbps, opening on 128 kbps) for a rate you can predict, or to Variable Bitrate and pick one of the five AAC bands (96k-112k down to 20k-32k). Match or exceed the source bitrate — re-encoding lossy audio never adds back detail.
- Adjust Audio Channel and Sample Rate (Optional): Leave Audio Channel on ORIGINAL to keep the source layout, or pick STEREO or MONO. A 5.1 AC-3 source is downmixed to stereo if you choose STEREO. Audio Sample Rate defaults to ORIGINAL; use Trim to export only a section.
- Convert and Download: Click "Convert" and download your AAC file. No sign-up, no watermark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this keep the video, or just the audio?
Just the audio. This is an extraction: the MPEG-2 video stream is discarded and only the soundtrack is re-encoded to AAC. If you want to keep the picture, convert to a video format instead with MPEG-2 to MP4.
Will I lose quality converting MPEG-2 audio to AAC?
The audio inside MPEG-2 is already lossy — usually MP2 or AC-3 — so re-encoding it to AAC is a lossy-to-lossy transcode. No quality is regained, and a too-low bitrate will lose more. Set the AAC bitrate to match or exceed the source so the AAC encoder doesn't become the bottleneck. AAC is more efficient than MP2, so a moderate AAC bitrate generally preserves the source well.
What happens to a 5.1 surround DVD soundtrack?
DVD audio is often AC-3 (Dolby Digital) with up to 5.1 channels. If you set Audio Channel to STEREO, the surround channels are downmixed to two-channel stereo, which is what most phones, headphones, and AAC players expect. Keep Audio Channel on ORIGINAL if you need to preserve the multichannel layout, since AAC itself supports multichannel audio.
Why is the audio in my MPEG-2 file MP2 or AC-3 instead of AAC?
MPEG-2 predates widespread AAC use. The MPEG-2 standard (ISO/IEC 13818) defines MP2 in Part 3, while AAC arrived later as Part 7 in 1997. DVD-Video and most digital-broadcast streams were authored with MP2 or AC-3, so that is what you will typically find when you extract their audio.
Is AAC better than MP3 for this?
AAC was designed as the successor to MP3 and generally sounds better at the same bitrate, thanks to a more modern compression design. Both are near-universally supported, so AAC is a solid default. If a specific device or workflow needs MP3, use MPEG-2 to MP3 instead. For lossless PCM you can edit in a DAW, use MPEG-2 to WAV.
What sample rate and bitrate should I choose?
In our testing, leaving Audio Sample Rate on ORIGINAL and matching the source bitrate gives the closest result to the original soundtrack. DVD audio is commonly 48 kHz, so converting it to a 48 kHz AAC file at a comparable bitrate avoids unnecessary resampling and keeps the transcode transparent for most listeners.
Does this produce a raw .aac file or an .m4a?
A standalone AAC stream with a .aac extension — an ADTS-framed raw AAC file, not an MP4/M4A wrapper. Raw .aac plays in most modern players and is simple to stream, but a few apps and some car head-units expect AAC inside an MP4 container. If you hit one that will not open the .aac, use MPEG-2 to M4A for the same AAC audio in an .m4a container.
How are my files handled, and how long are they stored?
Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on our servers, and deleted automatically a few hours after conversion. There is no sign-up, no watermark, and your files are never shared or made public.