Converting video and audio formats

andrewgpaul · Post by **andrewgpaul** » 2006-04-18 07:00pm

I'm thinking about buying myself a Creative Zen Vision:M MP3 player. This has led me to wonder; are there any free (or cheap) programs that will convert between video formats - specifically from AVI or RealPlayer (Yes, I know; I got them from someone else) to MPEG or WMV - and audio formats (iTunes format to MP3), unless you can download MP3 format files from iTunes - I am ignorant of such matters.

Any help will be appreciated (and if it matters, I'm in the UK)

Oh, while I'm at it, is there any recommendations for software to record MP3 from analogue line in?

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-04-18 07:07pm

I use dBampPowerconverter - I'm not sure if the free version comes with all the codecs, though.

andrewgpaul · Post by **andrewgpaul** » 2006-04-18 07:08pm

Thank you; I shall look into that.

(I take it it's for video?)

Free is a benefit, not a prerequisite - how much is the not-free version?

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-04-18 07:18pm

Poweramp is for audio - converting video is a somewhat more complicated matter, and I use the totally-free Virtualdub for that.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-04-18 07:51pm

You can't use files downloaded from iTunes Music Store in any product not made by Apple. DRM, and there is no method to crack the encryption AFAIK.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2006-04-18 08:37pm

Beowulf wrote:You can't use files downloaded from iTunes Music Store in any product not made by Apple. DRM, and there is no method to crack the encryption AFAIK.

There are ways to break the DRM (which will not be stated here)

Laird · Post by **Laird** » 2006-04-20 12:27pm

Go here.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2006-04-20 12:38pm

I'm not sure why you'd want the Vision M if you want to use iTunes (since the iPod Video is the same price, same capacity, same size and resolution screen, etc), but anyway...

There is one free and legal way to get your iTunes songs in mp3 format. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a pain.
In iTunes, burn your DRM-encrypted (bought from the store) iTunes tracks to a CD. Then rip the CD into mp3. Voila.

There is no way to convert iTunes TV shows that are purchased. They must be played on a Windows PC, Mac, or video iPod.