Syncing my MP3 player

Non-iPod players aren't compatible with iTunes. Also, if you have purchased protected content from the store, that content is, also, only compatible with some type of iPod. Sorry.

Sorry?! Man am I disappointed, again (first blow was no way to make address labels with pages). This is such a basic function (syncing to an mp3), and so blatantly apple-centric for itunes to only talk to an ipod.

When I googled around, I found various downloads that say they'll make it possible to sync music to any mp3. Does anyone have experience with any of them? I am hesitant to download random programs without some verification of their authenticity and function.

Thanks,
Debbie

Hello-

I had a Sansa MP3 player prior to my iPod, so I sort of know where you're coming from. Unfortunately, iTunes was designed to be the software that supports the iPod, so the fact that it doesn't support anything else really isn't so shocking. It is still capable of playing & using MP3's, but that is not the default format used via the iTunes store. There might be software to get the iTunes Store tracks onto the Sansa, however, they cannot be discussed here because that would involve breaking the Fair Play DRM on the tracks. iTunes Store files (with the exception of iTunes Plus) are protected, and therefore cannot be converted via iTunes. If you'd prefer to not mess with that software, email iTunes Store support here and request a refund:
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/browser/

In the future, you can still use iTunes to manage MP3's, if you decide to purchase a commercially released CD and import it onto your computer, you can change iTunes preferences to import the files as MP3's and then you can drag them to your Sansa.

iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > Importing
Import Using: MP3 Encoder
Click OK

Hope this is helpful
CG

In the future, you can still use iTunes to manage MP3's, if you decide to purchase a commercially released CD and import it onto your computer, you can change iTunes preferences to import the files as MP3's and then you can drag them to your Sansa.

That's exactly what I've been trying to do. I am not talking about songs bought from the itunes store. When I drag the selected song or songs to my mp3 (in finder - is that where I'm supposed to be?), there's a green plus sign, a brief flicker of the dragged material as if it were being added, and then it disappears. I am not particularly computer literate but am usually able to figure things out eventually (I had no trouble putting music on the same mp3 with my dell). This one is stumping me.

My music is either in "mpeg" or "aac" format, per the itunes "kind" column. The only option I see under "advanced", is to convert these to MP3 format, and when I choose that, I get more "mpeg" copies. Is that MP3?

My preference were already set to import as mp3's.

Thank you for your help.
Frustrated

Yup, Finder is where you want to be for this. After you convert to MP3, and iTunes shows the kind as MPEG, that's the file you want to drag to the MP3 player via Finder. AAC is the proprietary format designed for iTunes & iPod, so it likely won't work on your MP3 player.

Question - Are you dragging the songs from iTunes to the MP3 player, or from Finder to the MP3 player? If you're dragging from iTunes, try doing it from a Finder window.

If it still isn't working, I'd check some system requirements for your MP3 player and make sure it will allow songs to be added to it from a Mac. I'd also check your Import Settings and make sure it is set to an acceptable bitrate. The requirements for your device should be located within its documentation... in iTunes, it's located the same place you were at before (Advanced Preferences > Importing.) For example, mine is currently set to Custom because I was using iTunes to make some specific audio files... try changing it to Good quality, convert one of your songs, and then try to add the converted song to the MP3 player.

CG

Thank you for your help.

Going finder-to-finder got me a little closer but now I get a pop-up window that says there's not enough space on the mp3, even for one song, yet the mp3 player is empty. It's an older Oregon Scientific mp3 player. I don't have any info on it so perhaps you're right and it just isn't compatible with macs. But finder does see it. I guess I need to put an ipod on my birthday list, huh? In the meantime I guess I'll fire up the old dell and see if it will help me.

And I see that I was already set to "good quality" in the preferences/advanced/import.

At the OS website, they don't even mention making mp3 players so I must have had this thing longer than I thought.

Debbie

CasperGemini wrote:
AAC is the proprietary format designed for iTunes & iPod, so it likely won't work on your MP3 player.

Just a quick clarification. .aac isn't proprietary. These files can be played on many other devices besides iPods and iTunes, including Zunes, PSPs, PS3s, and many cell phones. Lots of "mp3" players support it, though, interestingly, not Sansa.

Protected .aac files, which include the majority of tracks sold through the iTunes Store can only be played on iPods, iPhones, Apple TVs, authorized computers and a small line of iTunes enable Motorola phones.

I wonder if I meant to say "primary" ...? It's usually very late, or very early, depending on how you look at it, when I'm on the forums. 🙂

Thanks for clarifying

CG

CasperGemini wrote:
It's usually very late, or very early, depending on how you look at it, when I'm on the forums. 🙂

I know the feeling... 🙂

ask for a refund and then buy iTunes plus stuff. It can be converted to MP3.And you can burn as much as you want too. I have a Sansa, mine is pink and this is what I do so that I can still shop.