Converting music files.

breadmonkey

Not sure if this is the correct forum so feel free to move it if necessary.

I took music files off a fiend's iPod using a program called "Ephpod". These files are ".m4a" which is not recognised by my player (Creative Zen Touch) so I want to convert them to mp3 format.

I've changed file types before using a program called "Nero". However, after entering Nero, when I browse to select the files I can't detect the m4a ones. I selected view all file types and it gives a big list (.mp3,.mp4,.wmv.......etc.) but no m4a. How can I get the computer/Nero to recognise them so I can convert them?

I hope that's clear enough.

Thanks

Spacedog

try this

http://www.mystikmedia.com/more_info/free-m4a-to-mp3-converter.htm

breadmonkey

Alas, the problem is the same. When I try to import files to be converted, I can't see them.

For example:

I click "browse" (or "import" etc). A new window then comes up so I can have a look around for what I want. So, I go to "my music","Air", then the folder "Moon Safari", which I know contains the m4a files, but they aren't there. What can I do?? Is this the doing of Apple, the fiends!

aidan_walsh

And what file extension is specified when you're in this window?

Snowbat

.m4a and .m4p are iTunes files

From http://www.osxhax.com/archives/000046.html
"I've figured out that m4a and m4p files are really mp4 files. In fact, if you rename an m4a as an mp4, Windows QuickTime will play it perfectly, and as a bonus will extract a WAV file if you like."

Also see http://p197.ezboard.com/fmacnightowlmessageboardtheupgradingtroubleshootingforum.showMessage?topicID=575.topic

Standard Toaster

Yeap....just rename the file to *.MP4 and import.
It's the same container.....just that the .m4a is usually reserved for audio only while mp4 is both audio & video....but not always. It's down to the vendor.

For example, Winamp & ITunes will create a *.M4A file which is just audio while Nero on the other hand will create a *.MP4 file, which again is just audio. They're both the same thing at the end of the day. That fact that Nero (Recode) can do video too is why Nero use MP4 I think.

One app that I use is [size=-1]dBpowerAMP[/size]. Get that and it's MP4 codec plugin and your set. Just right click your music file and hit convert and it will bring up a conversion window. Will do batch conversions too.