iTunes and mp3

[jwhiz]

Hi,
having finally signed up for iTunes, I've just discovered the proprietary format thing...what are some decent programs for converting the AAwhatevers to mp3 ? (running on a PowerBookG4, would like to try listening to mp3s on my new PDA).

[Macantosh]

iTunes?

iTunes itself will convert AAC to MP3 or any other format it supports.

I haven't done it myself, but just select the song and there should be an option to convert it or save as in the drop-down menu.

[olapbill]

In the itunes options under rip settings, set it to mp3 and whatever settings you want (128k etc). Save the changes.
select all the songs you want to convert (must be DRM free) , choose convert to mp3 .

[jwhiz]

Hi all,
I know iTunes will record  in mp3 from audio cd's. What I'm after is a method of converting music files, which I have diligently paid for, into a format I can use on portable devices (When I can afford an iPod...).
Thanks tho.

[ben schmidt]

Hi all,
I know iTunes will record  in mp3 from audio cd's. What I'm after is a method of converting music files, which I have diligently paid for, into a format I can use on portable devices (When I can afford an iPod...).
Thanks tho.

If your future portable device is an iPod, you need do nothing, as the iPod will play the formats that your iTunes library is already in, including any that are in iTunes-store DRM-controlled format.

In your future portable device is a generic mp3 player, you need do nothing again for that portion of your iTunes content that you imported from your CD library, as these will be DRM-free.  If your DRM-controlled content is from the iTunes-store content, I think, that iTunes will still allow you to burn them as audio CDs, viz this iLife '06 tutorial:

      Burn Your Music to a CD: apple.com/ilife/tutorials/itunes/it4-2.html

If this supposition is true, then you could then just re-import the audios CDs of any iTunes-store DRM content, as mp3's, and then transfer them into your future generic mp3 player.  I don't know if the iTunes-store DRM agreement prohibits this. 

If your DRM-controlled music is not from the iTunes store, then you'll have to research whether the DRM of the online store from which you purchased your content, even allows you to burn audio CDs.

best,
...ben

PS. I've read that the iTunes-store DRM is one of the more liberal DRMs, and also that if Apple could get the 4 major music labels to agree there would be no DRM on iTunes-store content, viz:
      Thoughts on Music, Steve Jobs, Feb 2007: apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic