WMA to MP3 converter

Understand, I don't post this to promote any copy protection issues, so feel free to delete it IF YOU MUST. However please read it and PM me if you do so.

My library has a new online system of downloading audio books which I listen to while I drive. However many of the titles are in WMA format, and my stereo only plays MP3 disc format.

I need a converter to change it. One that doesn't care about origin.

Yes, I understand why they are in WMA, but it is still a problem I need resolved.

The books are legitimate library books that I have a card to check them out with. So YES, I am allowed to listen to them. I just need them to be in MP3.

If you have questions/answers that might be construed as "PROMOTING PIRACY" please pm me and don't post in this oh s public forum.

Thanx in advance.

PS, yes I have permission to burn the books to disc as well, as long as I follow their guidelines. I really need a converter though.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

I use Goldwave w/ the LAME mp3 encoder. It's probably overkill but it works.
http://www.goldwave.com/
http://lame.sourceforge.net/index.php

Orpheus said:
I need a converter to change it. One that doesn't care about origin.

I tried your program Maze, same problem.
It won't open the files because the Library has the copy rights.

As I said, I can listen to them, but converting them is a problem. Its that grey area in the copy right laws.

Thanx a million for trying Mazeman.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

I use the Xilisoft Ultimate Converter. It does ANYTHING.

French Toast said:
It does ANYTHING.

Maybe it's just me, but this one sentence sounds sorta wrong.

Maybe "It converts ANYTHING" would make more sense. :/

I guess you can just use Audacity, it's pretty much good for anything to do with sound.

I think **Dedi** is right, I've never seen audacity say something about copyrights.

You'll need to download a certain dll file though if you want to convert them to mp3 format. But audacity will tell you what that file is called (something like lame_enc.dll)

---

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Orpheus said:
I tried your program Maze, same problem.
It won't open the files because the Library has the copy rights.

huh weird. I've never had any problems opening copyright files, though maybe they have changed it in the newer versions.

Problem still persists, in spite of the excellent help.
S lets try another tact, can anyone suggest either a hardware solution, something other than my laptop that I can play these files upon? I am not to keen n laying my laptop upon the seat of my truck and leaving it on all day.

Besides, the stupid files only play for 7 days, and sadly I can seldom finish the book before the time expires.

Baring that, does anyone know a software program other than windows media player, that will play these files... Even though it means using my laptop?

Thanx in advance

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

None of the apps posted will strip the DRM, although there are plenty around that will if you Google. They all ask for £££ though - if you want to do it free then it's straightforward enough, but fiddling around with command lines can can be a pain.

You may also be able to burn them as an audio CD (WMP may not let you do this but prettymuch every other burning app will), then rip the CD back to mp3 - although this is wasteful... that's the way most of those pay apps work... they create a hidden virtual CD of the files and then rip them from that.

An alternative is to get an audio player that handles DRM protected WMA files, again very easy to find if you Google. IIRC most of the Sandisk and Sony ones do - check the specs, they will say if they support WMA DRM.

Nothing other than WMP will handle DRM protected wma's - MS doesn't licence it's DRM technology to other companies, so even things like VLC won't be able to play the files.

I am a bit annoyed for all this trouble just to listen to audiobooks. I am no saint, but I am not promoting piracy either, so if it comes up, that is not my goal.

I'd be wiling to pay for a program, I am just not keen on wasting money on the wrong one. My goal was mainly for someone to suggest a quality one.

Also, I like the idea of burning to disc then reripping it, since multiple use discs aren't to hard to find.

Bit of a hassle, but if I want to hear the book, it seems safe enough.

I can understand wanting to restrict usage a bit, but the library seems to have chosen a path of most resistance.

Thanx again.

p.s.
I will be looking into player too, that sounds like the least hassle to me even if a bit more expensive.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Yeah, DRM sucks.

Partial success. Audacity converts, but it converts to a file that plays so fast its unintelligible. Any suggestions on slowing it to normal speed?

[EDIT] [quote]Audacity cannot import or export files in WMA, AAC, RealAudio, Shorten (SHN), or most other proprietary formats, or any kind of Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected file,[/quote]

Prolly why.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

French Toast said:
I use the Xilisoft Ultimate Converter. It does ANYTHING.

Will not convert protected files.

OK, I've tried lots and failed lots so I think I'll just do it the easy way and burn the files to audio. Uses a lot of discs but that's ok too. Perhaps it will make me enjoy them all the more.

My deepest thanx to all whom posted

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

New question, or perhaps an old one restated.

I spotted an MP3 player yesterday, that also plays wma files. My question is, since these library books are time and date specific, will the player still play them?
Windows media player knows its been 7 days because the pc has a clock/date. Does a player also?

I'd hate to waste 60-100 bucks for nada.

In the long run though, a hardware solution seems the most cost effective since books can range from 5 to 50 discs.

Thanx in advance

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Well, I don't know much about WMA files, but I have an mp3 player that also supports WMA files, and if I remember correctly they just worked fine on mine. Never had any problems with them.

---

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Orpheus said:
I spotted an MP3 player yesterday, that also plays wma files. My question is, since these library books are time and date specific, will the player still play them?

larchy said:
An alternative is to get an audio player that handles DRM protected WMA files, again very easy to find if you Google. IIRC most of the Sandisk and Sony ones do - check the specs, they will say if they support WMA DRM.

To clarify; you need to check that they specifically support WMA DRM protected files, not just WMA files.

http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-player-reviews/?filter=501502_14775979_

OK, I accept that there are players capable, but the question still remains...
Will these players refuse after the 7 day limit?

I'm not being obtuse, just overly cautious.

It seems to me that this is either a new problem, or one that no one but I have had to deal with.

I have done a bit of research, but no one seems to know this answer.

My opinion, as uninformed as it is, seems to think that only windows media player has this limitation. Since no one has had to deal with the 7 day limitation while using a hardware player that no such limitation exists.

If the player specs only quote that they will play protected files, then I am to assume no limitation exists.

Thanx. I will buy a player upon my return home. I imagine best buy has a few dozen to choose from.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Orpheus said:
Will these players refuse [to play] after the 7 day limit?

Yes of course they will.

They'll play the files for as long as the DRM allows you to play them. They don't magically remove the DRM.

If you have a file that expires in 12 days then the player won't play it after it has expired. It's no different to playing them on your PC with WMP.

It's very simple - if you want to play a file with DRM, you need a player that supports that DRM system. That doesn't mean the player magically circumvents the DRM or changes the limitations it imposes; the entire point of the player supporting the DRM system is so that it can still impose those restrictions.

sighs
All this trouble for a book. Even when I try to do things legally something screws it up. And people cry because I choose taboo methods.

Thanx anyways.

(before someone new cries)
Although I sometimes retain a copy of a book, I seldom listen to it twice. I would however like to listen to it the first time and 7 days is seldom long enough. (from download to finally listening. Sometimes its a few days before I leave on another run. Yet the clock remains running.)

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Yeah it's just the DRM, it really sucks

The only way around it is to follow the steps in the guide I posted earlier and actually strip the DRM from the files... or buy one of the programs that makes it much easier to do.

/me appreciates the assist mucho gobs guys.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Update:
Found what I needed, and didn't cost me and arm and a leg.
WMA to MP3 Converter

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Hey orph, could you give this a try:
http://media-convert.com/

It works with a lot of stuff, even super obscure tracker formats, so I'm curious to see if it will work for your files.

Cool thanx Nick. I'll give it a try and let you know.

Been a while. Whatcha been up to anywho?

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Things are pretty good, just chillin.

Sorry to report that your program refuses to even try to open the file Nick. Sorry bud.
The only one I have found (admittedly I didn't try every program, but a few dozen or more for sure) is the one I posted the link to.

Try it guys if you too have the dreaded DRM blues.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.