Audio & video software forum: VLC music files changed

VLC can convert files, but not without input from a user. With VLC open the user would have to go to the "Media" menu option then Convert/Save... option.

Have you used that at all? Has anyone else used your computer?

Are .m4a files iTunes files? If so, do you use iTunes?

There's an explanation of .m4a files here; http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/313850

It seems they should still work the same way as mp3 files.

Mark

Thanks for the info link.

I did not play with VLC, but seemed no problem with iTune. I'm the only user. I just wonder why it changed itself, even the file folder icons changed. I'm quite sure that they were .mp3 when I ripped from my CDs.
So far there is no problem (as your supplied info suggest that .m4a's are better). But can I just change the extension, if I need to? Or I have to convert them or rip/backup again?
Thank you.

that you have to convert them back, but try it.

Take an existing .m4a file and copy it to some other location. Working on the copy preserves the original if it fails and becomes corrupted. Rename the file extension on the copy and test it.

Mark

I use wmp to open the m4a file. The wmp warn not recognise m4a but can still play it. After I change the extension, wmp warn that the ext mp3 not match the m4a content, and can play. This means that I change the extension with the name only, but not the file type.

I guess I just leave it for now and see happen. Any other suggestion?

Thank you.

you can convert them to mp3 using iTiunes, video here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xd3FAnbwoY

Or another method I found here; http://ask.metafilter.com/45651/What-should-I-use-to-convert-m4a-to-mp3

"Install iTunes temporarily and don't burn a CD, but just right click on the files and choose "Convert to MP3." For this to work, you need MP3 selected as the importing filetype in Preferences".

But if you need some other converter, Google it, (I used Convert m4a to mp3), for software of your choice.

It would be interesting to find out how they got converted to m4a in the first place though.

Mark

I'll try them out later.

But do you think m4a has better quality to mp3? If so, I wouldnt bother the hassle though.

I guess the main issue here was caused by VLC (when I downloaded it). But who knows!!

But if you do want to convert them back to mp3, try Audacity from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

A free multi-purpose audio editor and converter, including multiple files.

Mark