M4B to MP3 conversion - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

shane_c · 02-07-2010, 05:31 PM

I downloaded an audiobook in iTunes and it's in M4B format. The problem is that nothing I own will play that format. I tried right clicking and converting to MP3 in iTunes but that does nothing. I also downloaded a conversion tool but when I try to convert it gives an error. Has anyone had any luck converting an M4B to an MP3?

photon · 02-07-2010, 05:57 PM

I think iTunes still encrypts their Audiobook files, so not only do you have to worry about format conversion you have to strip out the DRM too (which is technically illegal).

Easiest way would probably be burn the audiobook to CD then read it back in into MP3 format.

I'm sure there's software out there to do it as well but I don't know what it is.

jayocal · 02-07-2010, 08:07 PM

Try LameXP:

http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.ph...99b1679edd3dd6

shane_c · 02-09-2010, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Easiest way would probably be burn the audiobook to CD then read it back in into MP3 format.

I checked Windows Media Player last night and it doesn't like M4B's. So if I copy it onto a CD will WMP still be able to rip an M4B to an MP3 since it can't open M4B's?

DownhillGoat · 02-09-2010, 07:29 AM

If you burn it to an audio cd, it will no longer be in the M4B format, so any program that can rip cds (WMP, itunes) should work.

sclitheroe · 02-09-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

If you burn it to an audio cd, it will no longer be in the M4B format, so any program that can rip cds (WMP, itunes) should work.

The problem with this approach is that a typical audiobook is going to span many CD's. It's going to be a colossal pain to burn, rip, encode, repeat 5 or 6 times minimum for the average audiobook.

Something like Soundtaxi on Windows will probably work for you...most of these kind of apps should be able to re-encode at many times faster than real-time, and certainly faster than burning to CD.

DownhillGoat · 02-09-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

The problem with this approach is that a typical audiobook is going to span many CD's.

What about an audio DVD then?

shane_c · 02-09-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

What about an audio DVD then?

I don't have a DVD burner so that's out.
I'll look into Soundtaxi.

shane_c · 02-09-2010, 05:36 PM

Soundtaxi only gives a 90 second trial conversion.
Maybe I'll pick up a blank DVD and try it at work someday.

photon · 02-09-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

The problem with this approach is that a typical audiobook is going to span many CD's. It's going to be a colossal pain to burn, rip, encode, repeat 5 or 6 times minimum for the average audiobook.

Something like Soundtaxi on Windows will probably work for you...most of these kind of apps should be able to re-encode at many times faster than real-time, and certainly faster than burning to CD.

Hm, never thought of the size issue, doh.

I've seen this one recommended a few times in forums http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

EDIT: But others report that it doesn't worm for m4b's.. I dunno, all the ones I find seem to be commercial software (Tunebite, etc).

sclitheroe · 02-09-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane_c

Soundtaxi only gives a 90 second trial conversion.
Maybe I'll pick up a blank DVD and try it at work someday.

Does it work with a DRM'ed book, for the 90 second trial? If so, why not just buy it?

Barnes · 02-10-2010, 11:26 AM

It would be cheaper and easier probably just to buy an Audible autHorized device.

What were you planning on playing this on?

sclitheroe · 02-10-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnes

It would be cheaper and easier probably just to buy an Audible autHorized device.

What were you planning on playing this on?

I agree. You can get a Sansa MP3 player from Futureshop for under a hundred bucks.