iTunes - convert all AAC to MP3

[maavens]

In 2005 I got my first iPod and I decided to rip all of my CDs into iTunes. At the time it seemed like a good idea to use Apple's AAC format (.m4a)
But now I want to be able to use all my digital music in my car stereo which of course doesn't play AAC files.

So what I want to do now is to convert all of my AAC music to mp3.
I do not want to have to re-rip 800-900 CD's, so my plan was to create a smart playlist, and use iTunes to convert from AAC to MP3 - I know this isn't the audiophile approach, but it is OK for me.
However, I am not able to find a way to create a smart playlist based on file type. In fact I cannot in any way identify files within iTunes that are AAC format.

I really do not want to have to manually go through 1000 folders to identify file types - does anybody know a better way of doing this?
Thanks

 

[Julien]

An easy way would be to just sort Music by file type (Kind) and then select all AAC files and copy them to a regular Playlist to convert.

As you seem to be aware you will lose SQ doing a lossy to lossy conversion. I'm guessing since it is for car use this is acceptable.


EDIT: You can make a Smart Playlist that selects by Kind.

 

[maavens]

Awesome - thanks, I had overlooked "kind".
I am aware that I will lose sound quality with this conversion - but I'm OK with that. I just created a smart playlist filtered by type=aac, and it contains over 11000 songs - so a batch conversion beats re-ripping all of that music.
Thanks for the help.

 

[maavens]

Converting at approximately 3 seconds per song... just 9-10 hours to go

 

[palmharbor]

Alternative action

Before you start that task, I would look at the possiblity of using a small ipod shuffle to plug into your car stereo and play the music from that. If you have two RCA female inputs for Aux Input on the Car Unit...For $4 U can buy a cable that would have 3.5mm male on one end for the iPod and a Right and Left RCA male plugs to plug into the car stereo. New music will be easy to add to the iPod, will takes seconds.

 

[maavens]

Too late, all done - left my computer on to convert 11000 tracks from of AAC to Mp3. I bought a 64GB USB flash drive to keep in the car. It'll allow me to have almost my entire music collection available in the car at all times.