Question: I started using an IPod and ITunes a while back.

I have a problem with the files, specifically those saved as MP4. The files I originally had as MP3's are one thing. ITunes found them and stored them in a parallel folder of MP3's. Same thing with those MP3's I have since added. However, all the songs I loaded from CD's- a ton of them- are all MP4. Those files are not recognized and/or are not playable on any other devices. Bastards. It took me several days to copy and sample several hundred CD's, I won't be doing it again anytime soon.

I realize I should have ripped using a generic MP3 program, and only then allowed ITunes to get its hands on the files. I was foolish, however.

I found some shareware called IDump that is supposed to extract and convert the MP4 files. Has anyone used this? It seemed legit, I got the program from CNET. I loaded it and ran it once. It initially read the IPod, but crashed once ITunes started up. Now, there is a software glitch, IDump cannot see the IPod. Looks to me like Big Brother over at Apple has pulled out a bug on us. Bastards.

Please don't give me a hard time, these are all my CD's that I purchased going back to 1986. Heck, I bet all those old albums allowed for "fair use" at the time.

jocko

Look for "CD-DA Extractor" I believe it will convert most formats to other formats. Look it up and get the info about the program first. I know there is another program that is designed to do just what you want but I can't remember the name. I'll post it if I can find it. Extractor is a great program to have in any case.

IIRC, iTunes will batch-convert the files for you. :scratch2:

Winamp plays them.

Ozmoid:

Where is that utility? Dang, I'll re-look again, but I never saw a conversion. Do I have to go one file-at-a-time? "Batch" implies something else. I must have totally missed that. ???????????????.

jocko

OK. I found a shareware (I'm cheap and I like the style of people who share their talents w/o the baggage of Wall Street) utility on CNet that worked quite well. I managed 1400 .m4a files from ITunes to a generic folder as .mp3's. I no longer feel at the mercy of Apple.

jocko

...

Anapod explorer, (not free) allows you to ditch itunes altogether, integrating your ipod into your preexisting Windows Explorer Pane(this assuming your running a windows box). I only recommend as its the best I have seen so far, for ease of use and maintenance.

can be found here:
http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/

Would Rockbox help?

http://www.rockbox.org/