iTunes Plus - Why are the files still M4P?

Just downloaded the new Coldplay CD, which is listed as iTunes Plus. Much to my surprise though, the files are all M4P (protected AAC audio files) which unfortunately won't play back in anything else that I have other than iTunes (specifically streaming to the PS3)

Shouldn't iTunes Plus files be M4A?

Macbook 2.2ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Jun 18, 2008 3:37 PM

22 replies

Joshua H Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 21, 2008 8:19 AM in response to Charles Minow

I dunno if I would say its purely cosmetic though, as without changing the extension, the files won't play in anything but iTunes. Yes, they are not technically protected, but when the extensions are wrong all other apps treat them as such.

Hopefully we don't run into this with any other iTunes Plus files as I've been using Amazon MP3 more and more lately and this may push me and some others into only using Amazon. Its sad, but small things are what is going to make it or break it for those of us who want to be DRM-Free.

I do appreciate your help though, fingers crossed this is the only time we'll see this.

Jun 21, 2008 8:39 AM in response to Joshua H

Joshua H wrote:
I do appreciate your help though, fingers crossed this is the only time we'll see this.

I'd strongly suggest sending feedback to Apple:

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/browser/

So they know this is happening.

charlie

Message was edited by: Charles Minow (better feedback URL)

Jun 21, 2008 3:38 PM in response to Charles Minow

Thanks Charlie for your help. I am glad the confusion was cleared up.

TomeOne

Level 1

4 points

Jun 23, 2008 2:45 PM in response to Joshua H

Hey everyone,

Same thing happened to me, but as a result of getting an iTunes Plus upgrade for a bunch of DRM'd albums. I got a mix of .m4a and .m4p files.

I've been in contact with Apple Support (who directed me to this thread) and they recommended I convert the files in iTunes.

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Jun 26, 2008 6:20 PM in response to TomeOne

they recommended I convert the files in iTunes.

Convert it to what?

TomeOne

Level 1

4 points

Jun 26, 2008 7:03 PM in response to Chris CA

AAC. But you can get away with simply renaming the file extension and it will play fine even outside of an authorized iTunes.

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Jun 26, 2008 8:54 PM in response to TomeOne

They are already AAC, so there's nothing to convert.

simply renaming the file extension and it will play fine even outside of an authorized iTunes.

This will only work for the songs that were downloaded with the incorrect file extension (m4p instead of m4a).
Regular m4p songs will not play outside of iTunes if you change the file extension.

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iTunes Plus - Why are the files still M4P?