m4p file not recognised by Windows!

Question

m4p file not recognised by Windows!

When I try to burn tracks I've downloaded from itunes I keep getting a message saying Windows cannot open this file. I then choose to use the web service to identify the file extension which tells me what I already know, that m4p is an Apple protected AAC! I have Windows Media 10 and I use XP operating system so cannot understand why I cannot burn!!! I can play the tracks through itunes on the pc but just cannot burn!!

Please help anyone before I chuck the pc against the wall!!!!

Windows XP

Posted on Oct 25, 2006 6:16 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 25, 2006 7:11 AM in response to stewart_in_uk

If the track is an m4p (protected AAC) then this would suggest it was a track purchased from the iTunes store which I believe is what you indeed mean.

If this is so you cannot burn it from Windows Media Player, even if you have an AAC codec installed for WMP. You must first burn it from iTunes to an Audio format CD (not an MP3 or Data CD).

Once you have done that you can use WMP or iTunes to re-import (rip) the Audio CD in the format of your choice and get an unprotected version.

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Answer 2

Oct 25, 2006 12:13 PM in response to John Lockwood

Cheers John for your reply. However I have actually been trying to burn tracks downloaded from itunes using the itunes software to disk. I read somewhere in the help section of itunes that you need to have Windows Media Player 9 or above installed which is why I mentioned it although I haven't tried to use Windows Media Player. I have followed the instructions on itunes but keep getting the same message. I really can't understand why whenever I try to burn itunes tracks from my library Windows keeps telling me it doesn't recognise m4p!

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Answer 3

Oct 25, 2006 2:36 PM in response to stewart_in_uk

Have a look at this article in the Apple Knowledge Base.

Can you confirm that this is the method you're following to burn your CD?

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Answer 4

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Oct 25, 2006 3:02 PM in response to stewart_in_uk

You need WMP installed if you are importing unprotected WMAs into iTunes.
You do not need it to burn audio CDs.

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Answer 5

Oct 25, 2006 3:38 PM in response to Chris CA

Thanks for all your replies.

Chris - I have WMP version 10 installed on pc.

Mimico Kid - the article you mention is the exact same procedure that I found in the itunes help section and the one I've been following but I still keep getting the message that Windows does not recognise the m4p file type when it burns the disk. I've wasted a number of CD-R disks now.

I'm at a complete loss now!!

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Answer 6

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Oct 25, 2006 3:45 PM in response to stewart_in_uk

It doesn't matter what version of WMP you have. You do not need it to burn audio CDs with iTunes.

I still keep getting the message that Windows does not recognise the m4p file type when it burns the disk
Windows should not give you any message if you are using iTUnes.

Do this.
Open iTunes prefs -> Advanced -> Burning.
Select Audio disc.

In iTunes, create new playlist. Include the songs you want to burn. Mkae sure you have no more than ~ 75 minutes.
Select the playlist and click Burn.

What happens?

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Answer 7

Oct 25, 2006 6:19 PM in response to stewart_in_uk

I'm at a complete loss now!!

What you're describing does seem to be a bit of a mystery.

Can you check the file type association for us - select an .m4p file with Windows Explorer, right-click, select Properties on the context menu, go to the General tab and see what it opens with.

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Answer 8

Oct 26, 2006 11:53 AM in response to The Mimico Kid

Mimico Kid

I copied one of the downloaded tracks into one of my windows folders and right clicked on it. In Properties,General tab it says Type of File: M4P. It also says underneath Opens With: unknown application. I can listen to these tracks in itunes but not if I copy them to a windows folder (although I used to be able to with previous versions of itunes)! However, my only concern is not being able to burn them. If I try to burn a playlist exactly as stated in the itunes help guide it says burn completed but then will not play the tracks on the disk.

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Answer 9

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Oct 26, 2006 11:55 AM in response to stewart_in_uk

Just set .m4p to open with iTunes.

Start -> Control Panel - Folder options - File types.

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Answer 10

Oct 26, 2006 12:27 PM in response to Chris CA

I've finally managed to burn the tracks at the 4th attempt without doing anything different to what I have been doing. It took 3 wasted disks but got there in theend!

Thanks to all those who responded in my hour of need!!

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Answer 11

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Oct 26, 2006 12:43 PM in response to stewart_in_uk

You should still set .m4p to open with iTunes.

Start -> Control Panel - Folder options - File types.

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