Help! Question about WMA encoding

stevef · 12-12-2004, 15:56

Hi there,

Just wondering about a couple of things, which I'm sure you experts out there can help me with.

1) WMA files - I have several WMA music files which won't play on my iaudio4. These include some files which I converted from MP3 to WMA using dbpoweramp.
They transfer onto the player OK, and show as available on the player, but when I play them they skip straight to the next track. Any idea why?

2) That brings me to the 2nd question: what is the best (free) software for converting MP3 files into WMA (variable bitrate)? Windows Media Player doesn't seem to have any option for doing this.. I want to convert my existing MP3 library into WMA, and the only free software I've seen recommended - dbpoweramp - doesn't seem to work. (I'm thinking of upgrading to a 1GB iaudio G3 this week, but want to make sure I can get the most of its memory, which won't be possible if I can't convert my MP3s to WMAs).

3) Finally - can anybody point me to any reviews, or opinions etc of the G3 other than those in these forums? I really need to know how easy it is to use, whether the navigation of the music library is anything like as easy as the ipod's, etc etc. Can you view more than one track name at once as you scroll through your colection on the 4-line screen? So many questions...

Right, thanks in advance for any help - both these questions are very urgent as I want to get a new music player before I go away for Xmas!

Bye for now

Steve

leviathan · 12-12-2004, 17:50

mmm why you wanna transfer a lossy format into another lossy format? Doesn't make sense since the quality isn't getting better. And since you can play mp3 on your computer and your DAP, why transfer them to wma?
If you have ripped the mp3s from your own CDs then just re-rip them as wma if that's the format that'll make you happy...although I'd recommend ogg which also produces smaller files at lower bitrates (compared to mp3) and does sound better.

Ivegottheskill · 12-12-2004, 19:39

leviathan is correct. Converting lossy to lossy will ALWAYS result in a reduction of sound quality.

I've heard that dbpowramp can do it, and Foobar can convert from one format to another (though I would recommend against it).

Why dont you use google or this forums search functions first:

http://eng.iaudio.com/zeroboard/zboa...=23183&bmenu=B

http://engadget.com/entry/3734286864128486/

LAME Mp3 beat WMA and equalled AAC on a rather comprehensive hydrogenaudio.com listening tests (though Ogg and MPC beat all three)

Travu · 01-17-2005, 23:20

Does anybody use the jet audio program to convert there music or is it just me? it seems to be doin a fine job of converting my music, plus it suports all the formats the iaudio players do (if you bought the product) so you can try out all the formats and see which one you like the most. I have a 1gb mp3 and i ripped all my music to 64kb wma (about 500 songs on my mp3) and with all the eqs going it sounds great. im sure ogg is better i havent tried it yet ...

taz · 01-18-2005, 06:51

i tried out jet audio and i really like it...however i dont understand why you cant convert to mp3...and you can only do this with jet shell...as far as i know...i got myself win mx pro and i like the fact you can add plug ins such as flac encoding and stuff...however i did like the way jet audio is much easier to use and probably sounds better.

empty · 01-31-2005, 16:44

Hi guys, this is such a cool sitewhich I know will become my m3 home. I'm a nooby M3 owner and digital music listener.
I also find that music bought from the likes of Napster and Tesco.com in 128 and 192 wma format will not play on my ittle shiney baby!
Says it supports wma??
I've found I can convert to FLAC or OGG with Jetthingy but I read here that that is a dumb thing to do!
Help, plse o' gurus of digits.

taz · 01-31-2005, 16:56

u cant play protected wma's.....which i think is what napster dish out.

unprotected, it can play as i got some wma's.

empty · 01-31-2005, 17:06

Hi Taz, thnx for response.
So can I unprotect them? or what is best to do to make them work, ie. what to convert them to?
I kinda like the idea of just buying the tracks I want from these places and have no problem paying for them! (I'm not looking for freebies)
but you gotta be able to play them

xenradio · 01-31-2005, 17:22

no worries dude:

http://www.xenradio.com/wmatomp3.htm

any questions - ask the radio :-)

xenradio · 01-31-2005, 17:25

and in the future - why not save yourself some cash...www.shareaza.com

happy huntin..

empty · 01-31-2005, 17:25

Lookin good Xendudio!
many thnx

12-12-2004, 17:50	#2
leviathan Svengali Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 120	mmm why you wanna transfer a lossy format into another lossy format? Doesn't make sense since the quality isn't getting better. And since you can play mp3 on your computer and your DAP, why transfer them to wma? If you have ripped the mp3s from your own CDs then just re-rip them as wma if that's the format that'll make you happy...although I'd recommend ogg which also produces smaller files at lower bitrates (compared to mp3) and does sound better. __________________ "And if we should ever separate, my little plum, I want to give you one little piece of fatherly advice: Never give a sucker an even break."

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12-12-2004, 15:56	#1
stevef Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1	Hi there, Just wondering about a couple of things, which I'm sure you experts out there can help me with. 1) WMA files - I have several WMA music files which won't play on my iaudio4. These include some files which I converted from MP3 to WMA using dbpoweramp. They transfer onto the player OK, and show as available on the player, but when I play them they skip straight to the next track. Any idea why? 2) That brings me to the 2nd question: what is the best (free) software for converting MP3 files into WMA (variable bitrate)? Windows Media Player doesn't seem to have any option for doing this.. I want to convert my existing MP3 library into WMA, and the only free software I've seen recommended - dbpoweramp - doesn't seem to work. (I'm thinking of upgrading to a 1GB iaudio G3 this week, but want to make sure I can get the most of its memory, which won't be possible if I can't convert my MP3s to WMAs). 3) Finally - can anybody point me to any reviews, or opinions etc of the G3 other than those in these forums? I really need to know how easy it is to use, whether the navigation of the music library is anything like as easy as the ipod's, etc etc. Can you view more than one track name at once as you scroll through your colection on the 4-line screen? So many questions... Right, thanks in advance for any help - both these questions are very urgent as I want to get a new music player before I go away for Xmas! Bye for now Steve

12-12-2004, 19:39	#3
Ivegottheskill Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 105	leviathan is correct. Converting lossy to lossy will ALWAYS result in a reduction of sound quality. I've heard that dbpowramp can do it, and Foobar can convert from one format to another (though I would recommend against it). Why dont you use google or this forums search functions first: http://eng.iaudio.com/zeroboard/zboa...=23183&bmenu=B http://engadget.com/entry/3734286864128486/ LAME Mp3 beat WMA and equalled AAC on a rather comprehensive hydrogenaudio.com listening tests (though Ogg and MPC beat all three)

01-17-2005, 23:20	#4
Travu Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 71	Does anybody use the jet audio program to convert there music or is it just me? it seems to be doin a fine job of converting my music, plus it suports all the formats the iaudio players do (if you bought the product) so you can try out all the formats and see which one you like the most. I have a 1gb mp3 and i ripped all my music to 64kb wma (about 500 songs on my mp3) and with all the eqs going it sounds great. im sure ogg is better i havent tried it yet ...

01-18-2005, 06:51	#5
taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 683	i tried out jet audio and i really like it...however i dont understand why you cant convert to mp3...and you can only do this with jet shell...as far as i know...i got myself win mx pro and i like the fact you can add plug ins such as flac encoding and stuff...however i did like the way jet audio is much easier to use and probably sounds better.

01-31-2005, 16:44	#6
empty Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4	Hi guys, this is such a cool sitewhich I know will become my m3 home. I'm a nooby M3 owner and digital music listener. I also find that music bought from the likes of Napster and Tesco.com in 128 and 192 wma format will not play on my ittle shiney baby! Says it supports wma?? I've found I can convert to FLAC or OGG with Jetthingy but I read here that that is a dumb thing to do! Help, plse o' gurus of digits.

01-31-2005, 16:56	#7
taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 683	u cant play protected wma's.....which i think is what napster dish out. unprotected, it can play as i got some wma's.

01-31-2005, 17:06	#8
empty Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4	Hi Taz, thnx for response. So can I unprotect them? or what is best to do to make them work, ie. what to convert them to? I kinda like the idea of just buying the tracks I want from these places and have no problem paying for them! (I'm not looking for freebies) but you gotta be able to play them

01-31-2005, 17:22	#9
xenradio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 39	no worries dude: http://www.xenradio.com/wmatomp3.htm any questions - ask the radio :-)

01-31-2005, 17:25	#10
xenradio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 39	and in the future - why not save yourself some cash...www.shareaza.com happy huntin..