Converting 'my music/WMA' files to ipod compatible files?

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Converting 'my music/WMA' files to ipod compatible files?

When I installed itunes for the 1st time I was given an option of converting all my exisitng 'my music' files into ipod compatible files. I clicked ok and started this process but a little way in (unfortunately as it turns out) I had to stop it.

I now want to complete the process but cannot work out how to do it? There does not appear to be an option anywhere to allow me to resume this to allow the whole lot to be done in one go? At the moment I am having to drag and drop the albums approx 5 at a time into itunes to get them converted and it is taking forever.

Many thanks in advance

not known, Windows 2000

Posted on Dec 19, 2008 4:47 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Dec 19, 2008 6:09 AM in response to ipodnickc

Just use the *File... Add folder* menu command and add the *My Music* folder.

If your iTunes folder is inside *My Music*, which it is by default, then a slight drawback is that iTunes will rescan all your existing tracks on the way. If you have a large number of WMA tracks it may also take a considerable time. For this reason it might be better to create a new folder, e.g, Import, inside My Music, move anything you want imported inside that and then use the *File... Add folder* command.

You might also want to review your import settings before starting. There's no point taking 128kbs WMA's and importing them as 320kbs AAC's as you can't recover any lossed quality by using a higher bitrate than the source file. I would also choose to import as MP3 as this is the most widely compatible format but it's up to you.

tt2

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Answer 2

ipodnickc Author

Level 1

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Dec 19, 2008 7:19 AM in response to ipodnickc

Many thanks for this, very helpful - the whole process is taking ages! - it seems all of my songs/files are WMA's - I was unaware that AAC's format was a 'high bitrate' I had just assumed it was the standard that ipods used (I previously had a philips mp3 player - I have no idea why all my songs are WMA's unless this is what the Philips needed).

So what you are saying is that the standard is MP3 (which my ipod supports)and as such I might as well import all of my WMA files into MP3 files (as the AAC's take up a lot of space?)- So ideally I should clear out what I have dragged and dropped into my library and start again using the 'File ....Add Folder'.

Am I right in thinking the import settings are under 'preferences'?

Also I assume the newly imported files will then appear in my libray (as at present if I do not 'convert' them they do not register)?

Cheers

Nick

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Dec 19, 2008 7:48 AM in response to ipodnickc

So what you are saying is that the standard is MP3 (which my ipod supports)and as such I might as well import all of my WMA files into MP3 files (as the AAC's take up a lot of space?)

At the same bit rate, an AAC file will be almost exactly the same size as an MP3 file. MP3 is supported on more players, so it's often chosen by people who have multiple different player that they want to use their tracks on. If you're only using iTunes and an iPod, AAC generally will give you higher quality audio at a given bit rate, though you can get quite good quality in MP3, particularly if you use the LAME encoder (or a utility based on LAME) which many people feel does a better job than the iTunes MP3 encoder.

Am I right in thinking the import settings are under 'preferences'?

Yes, iTunes Preferences. In iTunes 8 -> General -> Import Settings button.

Also I assume the newly imported files will then appear in my libray

If you use iTunes to import/convert them, yes. If you use some other, third-party, converter, you'll have to add the tracks to iTunes yourself.

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