File Could Not Be Opened

[weewood]

I'm new to this, but I'm trying to convert a .w4a file to .mp3 and it always gives me an error, no matter which file I select. I've tried changing the extension to .wp4, but get the same error. Can you help? Thanks!

[LtData]

Re: File Could Not Be Opened

w4a? wp4? Do you mean m4a and mp4?

If you do, you need to download the codec to do so here: http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-mp4.htm

[ChristinaS]

Re: File Could Not Be Opened

Unfortunately he probably does mean .w4a - this is a file extension for synthesizer files or some such thing: http://keyfax.com and http://files.keyfax.com/PDFs/PLG150VL_S90.pdf

It sounds very much like midi of sorts.

If there's a way such a file can be played on a PC it can then be recorded through the soundcard by using dMC Auxiliary Input: http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?t=5362

[weewood]

Re: File Could Not Be Opened

I'm sorry but I meant .mp4 and m4a, and I have downloaded the codec for these types of files. dBpowerAMP converter still tells me that it can't open the file. Thanks!

[LtData]

Re: File Could Not Be Opened

Can you play the file in a media player that supports it? Can you test-convert the original file? (Choose the codec Test Conversion (no write)) Are there any special instructions in the codec help?

[weewood]

Re: File Could Not Be Opened

Test conversion fails the same way! I could not find anything in the Codec help that would assist me. I checked to see that I have all the codecs installed that are needed. The error just says that the file can not be opened but doesn't not say why! I can play the files using iTunes. Thanks!

[xoas]

Re: File Could Not Be Opened

iTunes uses DRM (Digital Rights Management) measures which, in practice, tend to leave you able listen to your iTunes music through iTunes or through your iPod and maybe to burn your tracks to cd. If your files are m4p they are definitely copy protected and if they are somehow m4a files from iTunes they are still most likely to be copy-protected. If you converted some of your files to m4a using iTunes I suspect they would be copy-protected as well. (In fairness, it seems as though most of the pay for download providers use similar measures regardless of what format the music comes in).

So briefly, your options are trying to use a program to remove the copy protection from your files (this is a back and forth struggle in which currently Apple and iTunes seem to have the upper hand for the moment), burning your tracks to cd and then re-ripping from there, or trying to record your tracks off of your soundcard as you play them in iTunes. For a fuller discussion see Christina's FAQ on this subject here:
http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?t=6258.

And while iTunes has many swell features DO NOT use iTunes as your primary music storage library. The DRM features may make it difficult for you to reconvert your files should you ever decide to do so.

Best wishes,
Bill Mikkelsen