iPod touch M4A Format is Driving Me Insane

[slomifier]

I've bought about 7 full albums off of iTunes, from my 2g iPod Touch. When I try to play the files on my PC after transferring them off of my iPod, they won't work with Windows Media Player. I looked up a M4a to MP3 converter, and they're like 30$. Considering I've bought the liscence to the music, I shouldnt have to pay again to turn it into a useable format. Anyone know what I can do? Does apple supply a free converter?

 

[Nermal]

You can convert them in iTunes. In Preferences, set the encoding format to MP3 then right-click the songs and go to Convert.

I believe WMP 12 can play AAC (m4a) directly. (Edit: Just tested it and it worked fine)

 

[Bacong]

Get winamp or foobar. Both far superior media players, and both play m4a.

 

[crmccashin]

You can convert them in iTunes. In Preferences, set the encoding format to MP3 then right-click the songs and go to Convert.

What tab is that setting under...I don't see it as an option?

 

[r.j.s]

What tab is that setting under...I don't see it as an option?

Import Settings on the General tab.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

Handbrake is free, and it converts audio files.

 

[LtRammstein]

I've bought about 7 full albums off of iTunes, from my 2g iPod Touch. When I try to play the files on my PC after transferring them off of my iPod, they won't work with Windows Media Player. I looked up a M4a to MP3 converter, and they're like 30$. Considering I've bought the liscence to the music, I shouldnt have to pay again to turn it into a useable format. Anyone know what I can do? Does apple supply a free converter?

Why would you want to convert M4A to MP3? Especially if you're having to use iTunes on the PC!

 

[Consultant]

Mp4 (AAC, m4a) > Mp3

Windows media player is crap. iTunes is much better.

 

[crmccashin]

You can convert them in iTunes. In Preferences, set the encoding format to MP3 then right-click the songs and go to Convert.

Thanks found it...but I also noticed that if I right click on any or all of the songs, It has the option in the box to "Create MP3 version" with out changing the import settings to MP3....?
It also creates the MP3 files into the same directory so that you now have two versions of the same song with out knowing which version is which unless you click the "Get Info". ;(

 

[alphaod]

VLC and Quicktime both play the file just fine

 

[gnasher729]

I've bought about 7 full albums off of iTunes, from my 2g iPod Touch. When I try to play the files on my PC after transferring them off of my iPod, they won't work with Windows Media Player. I looked up a M4a to MP3 converter, and they're like 30$. Considering I've bought the liscence to the music, I shouldnt have to pay again to turn it into a useable format. Anyone know what I can do? Does apple supply a free converter?

Seems that Windows Media Player is not compatible. You should avoid software by Microsoft, you know.

 

[andybno1]

liberate your music library with doubletwist

 

[Nermal]

Thanks found it...but I also noticed that if I right click on any or all of the songs, It has the option in the box to "Create MP3 version" with out changing the import settings to MP3....?

They must have changed it; in previous versions you had to adjust the import settings.

 

[crmccashin]

They must have changed it; in previous versions you had to adjust the import settings.

Ok, just checking to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding something.

 

[Muncher]

Don't convert them, your songs will sound like crap. Use a new media player instead.