Open PCM files

  • Full name
    PCM Audio Format
  • Developer
    N/A
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a PCM file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a PCM file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your PCM file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is PCM file?

The file extension PCM marks audio files with uncompressed (raw data) audio data. PCM stands for Pulse Code Modulation and refers to the method used to convert from analog to digital signals.

More info

PCM raw data is mainly used in container formats such as wav, aiff and au as well as on audio CDs.

The file extension PCM is supported by relatively few audio programs, since in these files, unlike the container formats mentioned above, usually no information about the sampling rate or the endian byte order is stored.

For this reason, PCM files can usually only be read in by audio editing programs such as Audacity or Audition via an import function such as 'import raw data'. However, further information must be provided on the sample rate, codec or the number of channels.

Programs which can open a PCM file

How to open file with PCM extension?

In order to open a file with PCM extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening PCM file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with PCM files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install MPlayer or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening PCM files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support PCM files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of PCM files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set MPlayer as the default program for opening PCM files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate PCM files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the MPlayer applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where MPlayer has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with PCM files

Sometimes problems with opening PCM files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • PCM files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open PCM files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • PCM file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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