Audacity can import raw data into audio. Is the same possible for video or image?

In Audacity, the capability to import and manipulate data is primarily focused on audio, but there are some creative workarounds for handling images, though not video files directly.

Importing Images as Audio

You can import images into Audacity, but this process involves treating the image data as raw audio data. Here’s how it works:

• You import the image file using the "Raw Data" option under the "File" > "Import" menu. This method is known as "databending"24.
• During the import process, you need to select an encoding format such as U-Law or A-Law, and ensure that you export the data back with the same settings to maintain consistency.
• Once imported, you can apply audio effects to the image data, which will alter the image when it is exported back as an image file.
• This method is useful for creating glitch art or other experimental image manipulations.

Importing Video Audio

For video files, Audacity can extract and import the audio component, but not the video itself. To do this, you need to install the FFmpeg library, which allows Audacity to read video files and extract their audio tracks135.

In summary, while Audacity cannot directly import or edit video files, it can extract and edit the audio from video files using FFmpeg, and it can also manipulate image files by treating them as raw audio data through databending techniques.