What is the DVF file format?
.dvf files are typically associated with digital voice recording devices manufactured by Sony. DVF is a proprietary audio file format that stores audio recorded using Sony voice recorders, compressed with Sony's LPEC (Linear Predictive Encoding) algorithm. The format is optimised for speech: it is mono, low-bandwidth and produces small files, but is not suited to music playback.
Playback and management of .dvf files on a PC required Sony Digital Voice Editor, a Windows utility bundled with Sony's ICD-series IC recorders. This software is legacy and difficult to obtain today; third-party applications can also handle the format.
DVF is a proprietary format, but .dvf files can be converted to more widely supported formats such as MP3, WAV or WMA using Sony's own tools or third-party converters such as Switch Sound File Converter. Converting to .wav or .mp3 is recommended for long-term archiving.
Newer Sony IC recorders have moved away from DVF entirely, recording directly to MP3 or LPCM .wav files. Related Sony voice formats include .msv (Memory Stick Voice) and .icd for other recorder models.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA DVF is a passive audio recording with no executable content, so the file itself is safe. The real-world risk is adware: because the format is obscure, web searches for a 'free DVF player/converter' surface bundled PUP installers. Stick to the known NCH Switch converter (or the original Sony tool) and avoid generic 'codec pack' downloads.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open DVF files
Windows2 apps
Switch Audio File Converter (NCH)
Freemium Add the .dvf file, choose WAV or MP3 as the output, and convert - then play the result anywhere.
Sony Digital Voice Editor (legacy)
Free If you still have it installed, it opens DVF natively and can export to WAV/MP3. The software is discontinued and hard to obtain in 2026. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Proprietary Sony voice recording container (binary) |
| Audio codec | Sony LPEC (Linear Predictive Encoding) / ADPCM-class speech compression, optimized for voice |
| Channels | Mono only; voice-grade quality, not suitable for music |
| Typical sample rate | 8 kHz (SP/LP recording modes); some models offer higher rates in ST mode |
| Typical file size | Tens of KB to a few MB per recording (highly compressed speech audio) |
| File encoding | Binary; little-endian byte order |
| Native PC software | Sony Digital Voice Editor (Windows; legacy, bundled with ICD-series recorders, now discontinued) |
| Associated hardware | Sony ICD-series IC digital voice recorders (ICD-BX, ICD-SX, ICD-P and related series) |
| MIME type | audio/x-dvf (not officially registered with IANA) |
| Current status | Discontinued in new hardware - current Sony recorders record directly to MP3 or LPCM .wav |
| Conversion path | Convert to .wav or .mp3 for archiving; Sony Digital Voice Editor or Switch Sound File Converter support this |
| Related Sony formats | .msv (Memory Stick Voice recording format), .icd (Sony ICD raw recording variant) |
| Platform | Primarily Windows (Sony Digital Voice Editor); native playback on Sony recorder hardware |
| Released | Sony ICD-series IC recorders / Digital Voice Editor era (early 2000s) |
| Latest version | Frozen - superseded on newer Sony recorders by MP3/LPCM(.wav) |
DVF conversions
Community Q&A
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