What is amr in computer?

This article describes what an AMR file is, how to open one on your computer, and how to convert one to a different format.

A file with the AMR file extension is an Adaptive Multi-Rate ACELP Codec file. ACELP is a human speech audio compression algorithm that stands for Algebraic Code Excited Linear Prediction.

Therefore, Adaptive Multi-Rate is a compression technology used for encoding audio files that are primarily speech-based, like for cell phone voice recordings and VoIP applications.

To reduce bandwidth usage when there isn't any audio playing in the file, the AMR format uses technologies like Discontinuous Transmission (DTX), Comfort Noise Generation (CNG), and Voice Activity Detection (VAD).

AMR files are saved in one of two formats, depending on the frequency range. The methodology and specific file extension might differ because of this. There's more on that below.

Many popular audio/video players open AMR files by default. VLC is a perfect option because it accepts a ton of other formats, too, so it can serve as your audio/video player for basically any file you throw at it. Plus, it's cross-platform, so it will run on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Some other options include AMR Player, MPC-HC, and QuickTime. Media Player in newer versions of Windows, like Windows 11, should have no problem playing the file, but in older versions, you might need K-Lite Codec Pack.

Audacity is mainly an audio editor, but it does support playing the file, and of course, it has the added benefit of letting you edit the audio as well.

Some Apple, Android, and BlackBerry devices create AMR files for voice recordings, so they should be able to play them without a special app.

If the file is pretty small, we recommend using a free online file converter. The best online AMR converter is probably FileZigZag because it can convert the file to MP3, WAV, M4A, AIFF, FLAC, AAC, OGG, WMA, and other formats without having to download the software to your computer.

Another option is media.io. Like FileZigZag, it runs entirely in your web browser. Just upload the file there, tell it the format you want it to be converted to (it even supports MP4 and other video formats), and then download the new file to your computer.

In addition to AMR Player from above, which can not only play but also convert this format, is a handful of other audio converters that can be downloaded, like MediaHuman's converter.

Any AMR file is in one of these formats: AMR-WB (Wideband) or AMR-NB (Narrowband).

Adaptive Multi-Rate - WideBand (AMR-WB) files support a frequency range of 50 Hz to 7 Khz and bit rates of 12.65 kbps to 23.85 kbps. They might use the AWB file extension instead.

AMR-NB files, however, have a bit rate of 4.75 kbps to 12.2 kbps and could end in .3GA, too.

If you can't seem to get your file to open with the suggestions from above, double-check that you're reading the file extension correctly. It's easy to confuse it with one that's spelled similarly, but similar file extensions don't mean the file formats are similar or that they can be used with the same software tools.

Some file extensions that might be confused for this one include AMP (Adobe Photoshop Curves Map), AMC (AMC Video), AML (ACPI Machine Language), AM (Automake Makefile Template), AMV (Anime Music Video), CAMREC, AMS (Adobe Monitor Setup), and AMF (Additive Manufacturing).

Since this format is based on the 3GPP container format, 3GA is another file extension this format might use. 3GA is used for audio, so don't confuse it with the 3GP video container format.

In addition to that, and to make it all the more confusing, AMR-WB files that end with AWB are very similar in spelling to AWBR files that are WriteOnline WordBar files used with Clicker. Again, the two formats have nothing to do with each other and don't work with the same applications.

AMR (Audio Modem Riser), CNR (Communications and Network Riser) and ACR (Advanced Communications Riser) are slots that you can find on your motherboard that have the same goal: to install HSP (Host Signal Processing) devices to your PC. These devices can be modems, sound cards and network cards.

HSP devices lack self-control, it is the computer CPU that controls the device. As a result, the device is fairly cheap, because it doesn’t have any fancy circuitry. But, on the other hand, the PC loses a little bit of its performance, since the processor will waste a little bit of its time controlling the device. This kind of device is also commonly refered as “software-controlled” (e.g., “soft modems”).

Usually AMR, CNR and ACR devices are offered by the motherboard manufacturer as an option to the motherboard. For example, your motherboard can have a AMR modem as an option. You can also buy such devices on the market. An AMR modem costs USD 15 or less, but they are not so easy to find.

You will only find one of these slots at a time, i.e., if a motherboard has AMR slot, you won’t find a CNR nor an ACR slot on it.

Let’s take a look at the physical differences between these slots.

[nextpage title=”AMR (Audio Modem Riser)”]

The AMR slot can be found in the middle of the motherboard, besides the AGP slot.

Figure 1: AMR slot location.

Figure 2: Example of an AMR modem.

Figure 3: AMR modem installed on the motherboard.

[nextpage title=”CNR (Communications and Network Riser)”]

The CNR slot is located on the side of the motherboard, near the last PCI slot. As you can see comparing Figures 1 and 4, AMR and CNR devices are a little bit different, event though the slots are very similar. Not only the edge connector (the part that goes into the slot) is different, the card has a different orientation. The side that has the I/O connectors on an AMR device is located to the left, and this side on a CNR device is located to the right.

Figure 4: CNR slot location.

Figure 5: Example of a CNR modem.

AMR (Audio Modem Riser), CNR (Communications and Network Riser) and ACR (Advanced Communications Riser) are slots that you can find on your motherboard that have the same goal: to install HSP (Host Signal Processing) devices to your PC. These devices can be modems, sound cards and network cards.

HSP devices lack self-control, it is the computer CPU that controls the device. As a result, the device is fairly cheap, because it doesn’t have any fancy circuitry. But, on the other hand, the PC loses a little bit of its performance, since the processor will waste a little bit of its time controlling the device. This kind of device is also commonly refered as “software-controlled” (e.g., “soft modems”).

Usually AMR, CNR and ACR devices are offered by the motherboard manufacturer as an option to the motherboard. For example, your motherboard can have a AMR modem as an option. You can also buy such devices on the market. An AMR modem costs USD 15 or less, but they are not so easy to find.

You will only find one of these slots at a time, i.e., if a motherboard has AMR slot, you won’t find a CNR nor an ACR slot on it.

Let’s take a look at the physical differences between these slots.

[nextpage title=”AMR (Audio Modem Riser)”]

The AMR slot can be found in the middle of the motherboard, besides the AGP slot.

Figure 1: AMR slot location.

Figure 2: Example of an AMR modem.

Figure 3: AMR modem installed on the motherboard.

[nextpage title=”CNR (Communications and Network Riser)”]

The CNR slot is located on the side of the motherboard, near the last PCI slot. As you can see comparing Figures 1 and 4, AMR and CNR devices are a little bit different, event though the slots are very similar. Not only the edge connector (the part that goes into the slot) is different, the card has a different orientation. The side that has the I/O connectors on an AMR device is located to the left, and this side on a CNR device is located to the right.

Figure 4: CNR slot location.

Figure 5: Example of a CNR modem.

Audio/modem riser - Wikipedia.