WMA Audio Files

[white911]

Playing WMA Audio books? Our library has a large selection of Audio books; although, the majority of the audio books are in the WMA format. I have downloaded two players 'Overdrive Media' and 'Mort Player'. Neither of the players will play or even recognize a WMA file. MP3 format plays with no problems and all player functions work.

I have searched the forum and found somewhat conflicting information concerning the Droid's ability to play these files. I have a Motorola Droid with firmware version 2.1 and cannot play these files and I have not found a player to download to play these files. Otherwise; the Droid interfaces nicely with my car for playing Audio books on long cross-country drives.

Any suggestions?

Alan

[CatsTide]

are you downloading these files via pc? if so it might just be easier to convert them to mp3"s with some converting software. there are several free options out there.

[white911]

are you downloading these files via pc? if so it might just be easier to convert them to mp3"s with some converting software. there are several free options out there.

Thanks for the reply --

Two part answer -- no, have not been downloading via PC, downloading direct to the Droid. I could download them to the PC. I believe the files are encoded (DRM) so that they will have a shelf life/expiration date. From the site, 'WMA titles can be downloaded and played using OverDrive Media Console on Windows computers and Windows Mobile devices only.'

Another potential item -- don't know if we can load it --

'OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile - Free software for Windows Mobile devices that lets you download and enjoy audiobooks in WMA and MP3 formats, music in WMA format, and video in WMV format. OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile is compatible with devices running Windows Mobile 5 or 6.'

I have downloaded the 'Overdrive Media Console Mobile' which seems to be different from 'Overdrive Media Console for Windows Mobile'. It does not recognize WMA files.

Alan

[Devanna]

Use the Melodycan to convert WMA to mp3 or other format. I think it will be help.
http://convert-any-media.com/

[oposky2006]

then, a good way is to convert your wma files to mp3 so that they can be played. i always use Pavtube Video Converter to help me convert between kinds of videos and audios. And it is free to convert audios. All the conversion process is claimed to maintain original quality with fast conversion speed.

[approachingbasic]

Alan,

I"m pretty sure that as yet you can't play any DRM files on a Droid and perhaps any Android device. The Droid will play non-DRM WMA files, but it's not totally clean. For instance, depending on the music player you use, you may not be able to see album art on WMA files. Also, the ordering is going to be wrong. The Droid can't yet read the WMA files' ID3 tag to order the files by track number. Instead, you can only order it by track name. Not sure why. Supposedly, the powers that be are working on the DRM issue. For instance, Rhapsody, to which I subscribe, claims that it's app will allow DRM-file downloading before years end in addition to the streaming audio it offers now. Hope that helps,

Charles

[ipkh]

I have the OverDrive software on the PC.
Once you download the book via the software.
Put the Droid into Windows Media Sync Mode
Select book via OverDrive software and alt-click to see menu
Select Transfer and it converts and copies the files into the Music folder on the SD Card.
I usually select the advanced tab and change it
I just set up Mort Player to scan the AudioBooks directory on the SD card.

[Spiderbot]

Use the Melodycan to convert WMA to mp3 or other format. I think it will be help.
MelodyCan: Convert Any Purchased or Copied Audio and Video Files, Audio CD Ripper, YouTube Ripper Plug-in

I'd recommend using Audio Converter Studio instead of that. I'm using it for about 1,5 years and haven't found anything more simple and handy. Converts to many other formats along with MP3

[carsonchan]

Are you sure that they are the WMA format? Transfer the format...

[EMILYOCEAN]

You can use foobar2000 to change wma to mp3 files