which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

[mycon]

Hi ,
I tried all plug ins but noe of them worked so far with the Music Converter.
I have m4a files , which should be either converted to mp3 or wav format - I dont care , but after installing all codecs I still get the info to visit codec central to read m4a files .
thanks in advance for your help !

[Spoon]

Re: which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

Are you sure they are not .m4p ? (protected m4a files).

[neilthecellist]

Re: which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

protected m4p files, of course, are protected by default. There is nothing you can do about it, other than using Auxiliary Input using dMC.

Speaking of which, to get audio out of the Auxiliary Input function, do you lose audio quality?

[mycon]

Re: which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

Are you sure they are not .m4p ? (protected m4a files).

the ending is .m4a - how do I know its actually a m4p file ?
sorry for sounding like a newbie but i'm not too much into ripping and stuff :blush:

[ChristinaS]

Re: which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

Where did these files come from? If they came from an online music store they are most likely protected. Do you have a player on yoru PC that can play them?

The extension doesn't always tell the full story.

[neilthecellist]

Re: which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

Also, I would highly recommend you find an alternative 4 getting music. Protection sucks. You can't convert a protected file unless you use Auxiliary Input.

[mycon]

Re: which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

no such music online store ;-) but from a friend , ya know !
winamp plays it fine , I go and try the lastet nero version to burn it to audio !

[iTunesIsEvil]

Re: which codec for .m4a -> .mp3 or .wav

protected m4p files, of course, are protected by default. There is nothing you can do about it, other than using Auxiliary Input using dMC.

There are a few things one can do about it... Including, but not limited to:
Hymn
JHymn
iRevolt
iOpener

Though thats not what the problem would be with an m4a. About the best way to see if its a protected file is to try to play it in iTunes, if it asks you for authentication, then its protected, otherwise youre good. The only codec you should need for this is the Mp4 & AAC Decoder.

So just as an FYI on the side: there are things you can do about an Apple Protected M4P audio file.