Converting encrypted WMA files to MP3?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 Jan 2005 4:39 pm

I have a bunch of Windows Media (WMA) music files that I created from my own CD collection to play on a handheld player. But apparently when I made them, I didn't uncheck the box to encrypt them and my iPOD won't play WMA files. So I need to convert them to mp3 format, but my converter won't do it because of the encryption.

Any other way to get them converted?

Thanks,
Jim

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 5 Jan 2005 5:45 pm

The easiest way I know is to use a cd ripper. I use FreeRip from mgshareware.com to rip them from the cd and export them as mp3. I think it goes pretty fast, but maybe someone else knows a better way. Good luck, btw, I think you are a great steeler.

------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 Jan 2005 6:02 pm

Thanks Howard, for the suggestion (and your nice comment on my playing too). Truth is, I've already ripped about 50 CDs from my music collection, into WMA format, and don't want to go through the time to re-rip them all as mp3s, so I'm hoping there's some way I can batch-convert them from wma to mp3. Anybody?

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 5 Jan 2005 6:26 pm

Hey Jim. This is not my strength, by a long shot. But this should do it. Download Goldwave from here-- http://www.goldwave.com/release.php

You will also need to download LAME (from the same page) and copy it into the Goldwave folder (C:Program files/goldwave).
This program seems to do it all including the WMA>MP3 conversion and bulk work. Mine is a free version and its limitation is in the number of commands you can do before it needs to be shut down and restarted (solution is to buy and register it. This may be a hindrance to your bulk work. I expect that there are other freeware programs that will also fit your needs but I don't know them off hand.. [This message was edited by Jon Light on 05 January 2005 at 06:27 PM.]

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 5 Jan 2005 9:29 pm

All this digital rights management stuff is so cumbersome and convoluted. It makes peer to peer sharing networks a viable alternative.
[This message was edited by Cal Sharp on 06 January 2005 at 12:12 AM.]

Colin Goss · Post by **Colin Goss** » 6 Jan 2005 1:15 am

How about dbPoweramp - free to use and converts wma to mp3 and just about all other formats- see www.dbpoweramp.com

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 6 Jan 2005 10:29 am

Thanks guys, but do you know if these programs will convert encrypted files?

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 6 Jan 2005 12:59 pm

Are you sure what you have is 'encrypted' or is it just wma (windows media---a microsoft proprietary format that at one time was not a file association included in many other programs.)? Unless somebody has a better and more knowledgable answer about the encoding thing, your best bet would be to go ahead and download one of these programs and just try it. I had the same problem--I had ripped a number of CDs with Win Media but later when I tried to burn a few of those cuts using a different program I couldn't because, unbeknownst to me the music wasn't in wav or mp3 form but rather in wma which my other programs didn't dig. The Goldwave does convert wmas.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 6 Jan 2005 1:26 pm

iTunes for Windows (free) opens WMA files and converts them to .mp3. If they're not encrypted. You have to set iTunes preferences for this beforehand, though.[This message was edited by Cal Sharp on 06 January 2005 at 01:31 PM.]