TwinVQ is an audio encoding technology developed at NTT (Nippon Telephone and Telegraph). It uses an unique encoding technique called Vector Quantization (VQ).

The format using the TwinVQ technology is called VQF. There are several limitations in this format: 2 channels at most, no VBR, limited bitrate choice (only 80 and 96kbps for 44.1kHz stereo tracks), very slow encoding, little support, no public specifications or open source implementation.

Despite these limitations, Yamaha bought the technology from NTT and launched the SoundVQ suite. But it did not work out and VQF can safely be considered dead these days.

TwinVQ, on the other hand, is still alive as part of the MPEG4 audio standard, being used for very small bitrates (8-16kbps).

A mirror of the NTT TwinVQ page is available at the Internet Archive.

I am also mirroring Thor's page from dalnetvqf, featuring VQF plugins for Winamp. Thanks to Thor for providing these files.


Date: 1998-03-11
Version: 2.1.1 (encoder)
Interface: Graphical
Platform: Win32
Download: NTTenc.zip - 514kB

Date: 2000-09-22
Version: 2.1.5 (player)
Interface: Graphical
Platform: Win32
Download: Tvq-p215e.exe - 1.793kB

Date: 2001-07-02
Version: 1.0
Interface: Winamp plugin
Platform: Win32
Download: in_vqf.exe - 419kB

Date: 2000-10-12
Version: 20001012
Interface: SDK
Platform: Win32/Linux
Download: Tvq20001012_open_nc.zip - 3.152kB