MP3 help

[Bongo]

They're not actually in MP3 format from iTunes though are they? They have Apple's own DRM on them and can only be used on iPods?

I think that's what all the fuss is about?

[Nem]

My iPod is very sick.

I have restored it to factory settings, but now it is taking over an minute to update 1 song (I have over 6000) so I thought "ok, 4 days continuous updating isn't too bad", but now it isn't updating at all.

Looks like I'm going to have to buy a new one...

I love my iPod -  iPods own!

[ifm]

Itunes do convert from MP3 to AAC format but they keep the originals as MP3's on your hard disk, this is probably why you may not know.
Oddly enough i was offered 20 ipod 4 gig nano's today for £100 each

[Nem]

Itunes do convert from MP3 to AAC format but they keep the originals as MP3's on your hard disk, this is probably why you may not know.
Oddly enough i was offered 20 ipod 4 gig nano's today for £100 each

I'll buy one off of you for £100

[SupaMonkey]

Itunes do convert from MP3 to AAC format but they keep the originals as MP3's on your hard disk, this is probably why you may not know.
Oddly enough i was offered 20 ipod 4 gig nano's today for £100 each

Cool, that means i don't look stupid anymore.

[KeithyB]

Ok……here’s a personal take on the the whole SonicStage/ ITunes / Mp3 situation.

SonicStage

Imports ripped music by default as OpenMG audio files (.oma).  Good quality but not transferable to another computer due to inbuilt security tag.  I had a library of these backed up when my hard drive packed up but could not import them then to same computer when I installed new harddrive!!! There is no way round this so beware.

However you can change settings so that any music imported/ripped is done so as an mp3 which I’d recommend doing.  I believe in the latest sonicstage versions you can also convert your existing library of songs from open mg/ATRAC  to mp3 format.


ITunes

Again the default  when ripping cds is Apples own format which can only be played by ITunes/Ipod but once again you can change settings so that you rip cd’s as mp3.

You do also have option when importing existing mps of having them copied into the itunes folder. This is quite handy, if space is not an issue for you, as it keeps your music library nice and tidy in one place. Plus it automatically sorts it into different artist and album folders.

As pointed out previously when you download a track from ITunes though, it has to be in their own format (m4p) and so is only playable in Itunes / Ipod. No way round this unless a conversion program is used after download.

Summary

I used to use sonicstage a lot but recent version seems very messy and time consuming when trying to sort out playlists/albums so I gave up and switched to ITunes which is much easier to use.

Change programme settings where possible to change from the software’s own music format to mp3 type.  This will give you much greater flexibility with your music!!

Although I don’t actually have an IPod myself ( after much deliberation I went for a Creative Zen Vision 30GB instead ) I use the folders ITunes creates to drag and drop to my music player and this works very well for me.

Incidentally, there is also an autosynchronise function for non IPod mp3 players,  in Windows Media Player 10 but I’ve never tried this yet.

So Claw there is no need to get stuck with mp3 player by same manufacturer….although this is what they set out to make you do!   

[KeithyB]

Can anyone tell me if there is an easy way to convert all my Atrac files into MP3 files, and the easiest way to get them from Sonic Stage onto an Ipod?

After my previous ramblings above the quick answer to this is........

1 Use sonicstage to convert Atrac files to mp3,   
2 Then download ITunes ( if you don't have it already) and import the mp3 files into that
3 Connect your IPod and it will synchronise the files onto it

Oh.... Keithy being brief is sooooo much better!!   

[Nem]

My iPod is very sick.

I have restored it to factory settings, but now it is taking over an minute to update 1 song (I have over 6000) so I thought "ok, 4 days continuous updating isn't too bad", but now it isn't updating at all.

Looks like I'm going to have to buy a new one...

I love my iPod -  iPods own!

Amazingly, my iPod is acting like its old self and is updating each song in around 1 second as apposed to 1 minute

[The_Patriot]

Bought one of these beauties recently" http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/zenvisionm/gallery/demo.asp. Had Sony MP3 and never thought I would get anything else, but this is quality, I also purchased the new Shure headphones which I highly recommend "http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=PA00206

[happybhoy]

What you can't do with an iPod is load it from iTunes, then unload it to another pc.

You can do this, its a bit convoluted but basically you copy the tracks from the source computer to the ipod in window explorer you wont be able to listen to them but you can take them to a target computer all dump them all there. Basically it acts as a hard drive as well