ricardo_wrx

I have just got a new head unit with a USB port. Im trying to convert all CD's by ripping them to my PC then transfering them to my portable USB drive.

I can save them as WMA without any problem. However I want them saved as an MP3 as the files are much smaller. The only problem is that when you ask Windows Media Player to rip music as an MP3 it ghosts out the option to 'Copy Protected Material'.

Are there any other ways around this such as a converter? I have tried a few that I had to download free, but these had some nasty files attached to the free download.

Help..... I want some tunes soon!

Jim_B

iTrader: (1)

Could just use iTunes or Real Player to rip from CD straight to MP3 if media player doesnt do this ( I think its an extra plug in for media player too though )

Iain Young

I'd probably use iTunes for this.

p.s. MP3 files are not smaller than WMA. The file size all depends on the quality settings you use when encoding the music

ricardo_wrx

i didnt realise that. Most of the tracks are ending up around 4-5 meg. What's the best size for a 4-5 min track without loosing quality?

Iain Young

I usually encode everything at a minimum setting of 192kbs. Even at that setting, some sounds quality is lost, but it's good enough for the car.

John@TunerUK

I think you may have miss read. It actually ghost out the option to 'copy protect music' not to 'copy protected music'

You can still rip off a genuine CD with no ill effects to my knowledge. You just can't ensure that you can't copy off that copy

mart360

cdex, and run at 128kbs compression rate, or variable bit rate


Mart

Iain Young

You'll lose a fair bit of quality at that setting though (he stated he didn;t want to lose any).

Hanslow

Use CDex at whatever bitrate you see fit...320kbit/s? Mine are done at 192 and quality set to 2 (highish). For the wonderful acoustic environment of the car, this is more than ample.

ricardo_wrx

Any idea where i can get that software?

Iain Young

Google is your friend...

SourceForge.net: CDex

ricardo_wrx

cheeky bugger! lol Thanx!

Donaldbow

Any audio editing and converting software will be of use. Suggests FlexiMusic Wave Editor. Directly can't read WMA file in FlexiMusic Wave Editor, so play and record the Wma file in the software and then using the "Save As" command, convert and save the Wma file as Mp3 format.To save the file as Mp3, need to install a separate command line Mp3 encoder/ decoder. Lame win 32 will be of use.