WAV files to iPhone

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Level 1

9 points

WAV files to iPhone

This is probably simple for all the Apple buffs out there, but this poor PC/Windows person is just getting used to his new iPhone. I had no trouble syncing my Outlook data, but the music is a problem. I have a large number of WAV files, which, as I understand, are valid for the iPhone (p 123 of the iPhone manual). So I taransferred a bunch of them and I see them on the iPod section of the iPhone, but when I play them, no sound! I finally figured out how to delete from the iPhone (rather circuitous, I must say), just so I can start over when somebody tells me what I am doing wrong. Interesting that I was able to download and play the songs from iTiTunes that I got for free based on a coupon code from Starbucks. So I know the connection works and the iPhone sound system likewise works. So why don't the WAV files play?

Thanks

PC, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Nov 20, 2007 11:08 PM

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Answer 1

DaVBMan

Level 6

9,292 points

Nov 21, 2007 7:03 AM in response to nkoss

In iTunes where you have your tracks that are WAV, I would just right click them and tell it to convert to AAC (Apples format). One they will be much smaller in size and two, they will work far better. When you convert it will make a copy of the WAV so you will still have your WAV and now a M4A (AAC format) file on your drive (and in your music list). You can then remove the WAV from your music list (so you don't have duplicates).

Also, if you don't want AAC format (as it does put in Apples DRM) you can go into iTunes prefereces (sorry cannot tell you where as I am not at a machine that has iTunes) and change the default converting options to MP3 instead. This will allow it to convert to MP3 instead of AAC thus be a DRMFree version of the file.

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Answer 2

nkoss Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 21, 2007 2:35 PM in response to nkoss

Thanks for all the help. I now have a better understanding of the system....

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Answer 3

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Nov 21, 2007 7:06 AM in response to DaVBMan

Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Importing.

Change "Import Using" box to whatever codec you choose.

As for the .wav support, the iPhone will play .wav files is gets via email, but when you are uploading files to the iPod portion it really doesn't like .wav...

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Answer 4

Randy Fast

Level 4

1,432 points

Nov 21, 2007 7:17 AM in response to nkoss

I wouldn't bother trying to get them to play. It would be much easier to just convert them to ACC or mp3 files. WAV files are huge, this will cut your file sizes down by a large percentage so you can free up space on both your computer and ipods/iphone. WAV files really are not needed they are just too big.

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Answer 5

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Nov 21, 2007 7:20 AM in response to Randy Fast

Randy Fast wrote:
WAV files really are not needed they are just too big.

Agreed. Unless you are doing high quality audio editing (ie recording, mixing or mastering for CD or TV) there is rarely ever a need to keep a wave file. Since it is an uncompressed source it is ghastly large. Convert over to ACC or a high bit rate MP3 and save some space with very little quality loss.

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Answer 6

Nov 27, 2007 1:51 PM in response to Ansuz82

The iPhone will not play WAV files that arrive as attachments by email. I have a frustration with this because my home phone will send me an email with a WAV file attachment of any voice messages left on my home phone. It's very convenient but it doesn't work on the iPhone. The attachment simply won't play. It's crazy because the audiobook portion of the iPod function will play WAV files.

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Answer 7

Nov 30, 2007 3:14 PM in response to Ansuz82

I am having the same problem playing wav files on the iphone. I have my iPhone connected to my pc. Wav files are sent to my phone via ATT when clients leave voice mails. These VM are converted to Wav files and sent to my phone. I can see the Wav file but when i tap it the payer message shows "the movie could not be played". Any suggestions?

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Answer 8

Dec 26, 2007 4:52 PM in response to nkoss

I found this today, and it is going to save me a lot of hassle until the time comes that the iPhone supports native .wav files. I get voicemail messages that come to my email as .wav file attachments. Hope this helps someone. It worked for me.

http://www.iphoneconvert.com/

Happy Holidays

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Answer 9

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,291 points

Nov 27, 2007 1:57 PM in response to Rick Fernandez1

As of the September update it should play the .wav attachments in Mail. Does is show the attachment at all?

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Answer 10

Nov 27, 2007 2:03 PM in response to Ansuz82

Yes, it shows it as a movie file, launches Quicktime, and then says it can't play it. It's a simple WAV file. I think Apple has dropped the ball on this one.

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