HCOM to MP2 Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
Sound Tools HCOM and MPEG-1 Audio Layer II exist for different jobs: HCOM is the Sound Tools compressor format from the late 1980s Mac — FIR-decimated delta-modulation samples that almost nothing modern reads. Broadcast MP2 files convert to MP3 for players that no longer ship the decoder.
This converter runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly — your files never leave your device, nothing is uploaded, and there are no watermarks, sign-ups or queues. Drop in several files at once to convert them as a batch.
How HCOM compares to MP2
| HCOM | MP2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | ffmpeg, archive tools | Broadcast/DTV gear |
| Best for | Rescuing legacy audio | TV and radio recordings |
How to convert HCOM to MP2
- 1
Select your files
Drag & drop your HCOM files onto the area above, or click to browse. You can add multiple files at once for batch conversion.
- 2
Convert instantly
Click "Convert to MP2". The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly — no upload, no queue, no waiting.
- 3
Download results
Download each converted MP2 file individually, or grab everything at once as a ZIP archive.
About the HCOM format
HCOM is the Sound Tools compressor format from the late 1980s Mac — FIR-decimated delta-modulation samples that almost nothing modern reads.
ffmpeg decodes it natively inside your browser — the audio track is re-encoded to your chosen format with nothing ever uploaded.
+ Strengths
- ✓Decoded natively by ffmpeg
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser
- ✓Free, private, no watermarks
! Limitations
- −Legacy niche format
- −Modern tools rarely open it
- −Keep the original for archival round-trips
About the MP2 format
MP2 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer II) is MP3's older, simpler sibling — and despite losing the consumer war, it never left broadcasting: digital TV (DVB), DVD-audio tracks and European radio still transmit MP2 daily. Its decoder is trivial, which is exactly why broadcasters love it.
Consumer devices have quietly dropped the decoder, so MP2 files from TV recordings or radio captures need conversion to MP3 for anything portable. The audio itself is often 256–384 kbps — genuinely good quality hiding in a forgotten format.
+ Strengths
- ✓The broadcast standard — still transmitted daily
- ✓Often high bitrate (256–384 kbps)
! Limitations
- −Dropped by consumer players
- −Less efficient than MP3 at equal quality
Why convert HCOM to MP2?
Think of it as moving your file to the container that fits the job. Legacy niche format MP2 works differently: The broadcast standard — still transmitted daily If any of that sounds like your task, run the conversion — it takes seconds and nothing leaves your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is this HCOM to MP2 converter really free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily conversion limits. The site is supported by advertising.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your files never leave your device — that is what makes it instant and private.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser works: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. No software installation is required.
Is there a file size limit for HCOM to MP2?
The only limit is your device's memory, since nothing is uploaded. Files up to a few hundred megabytes work fine on a modern desktop browser; very large files simply take a little longer.
Can I convert a whole folder of HCOM files?
You can select many files at once and they are processed in a single batch. Output files land in one ZIP download when there is more than one result.
Will converting HCOM to MP2 reduce audio quality?
If MP2 is lossless, the output contains everything the HCOM file contains — no further loss is added. If MP2 is lossy, one recompression pass is unavoidable; the quality slider controls how much. Loss that already happened in the source file can never be undone by converting.