Podfic question..

[ash48]

There may be a more appropriate place to ask this question, like a podfic comm, but I'm not sure there is one. So I'll try here first.

I listen to my podfics on my MP3 player. So I DL the MP3 file when choosing a story to listen to. I've recently noticed that most stories are in M4b format. What is that? I can't seem to convert it to MP3 (I've tried through Sound Converter and it doesn't recognise the format). Is that just for iPods or something? Also - and here's a really naive question - What's a podbook? How does it differ from a normal podfic dl?

Thanks if any one can shed some light on my lack of technical knowledge.

Comments

[boom-queen.livejournal.com]

I prefer m4b format because it keeps your place in the track like a bookmark, and the format allows several "chapters" of a story to all be linked in one file. There was a pretty good discussion of mp3 vs m4b over here recently :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

The MP3 keeps it marked as well - in that when I turn it off it comes back on exactly where I was up to. I just need to find what plays M4b.

That link looks like just the thing I need to read. Perfect. Thank you so much. :D

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

m4b is an iPod (or iTunes) thing I'm pretty sure. I never got it until I recently purchased... dun dun dun... an iPod. Best thing ever is a little program called Switch Sound File Converter. It is free and it'll convert any sound file. It will change iPod music formats to mp3. I'm almost certain it'll do m4b as well though I haven't any on my new computer as yet, so I can't try it out for you. But that's the program I'd suggest.

Course... it may not be Mac compatible.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I've decided to get an ipod. I think that's definitely what I need. I mean I just got a iPad, and an iPhone... so why not have the whole "i" experience! :D

And it would most definitely be mac compatible being a mac product - but whether it will convert my fic files I will have to test out. Though I'm not sure why my Sound Converter doesn't recognise it. Maybe I need to upgrade it. hmmm.... I might just do that.

Thanks hun! :)

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Well if you buy an iPod there are also programs that convert from mp3 to m4b. smuffster pointed some out to me, but I've yet to use them. I've noticed sometimes that I tell iTunes that my files are books, but the software does something odd and only recognises the first part or something, so it may be the way to go.

Totally reminds me I must set up my iPod on this computer. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Ok. That's good to know. I'll definitely check that when I get it. (I've ask hubby to pick one up duty free on his travels.;) )
xx

[frogspace.livejournal.com]

I mean I just got a iPad, and an iPhone... so why not have the whole "i" experience! :D

If you have an iPhone, it already works as an iPod. I listen to all my m4b (and mp3) podbooks on my iPhone. :) You can upload vids as well (they need to have mp4 format though).

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Of course!

I haven't got the iPhone just yet. Hubby has updated to #4 so I get his old one. But yeah... that's good.

Thank you.:)

[sothcweden.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say thanks for mentioning the converter. I have a few bits I've been given in m4a and can't play on my mp3 player. That program fixed me right up!

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Until recently, I too had an mp3 player and this program was a little miracle when I found it. *whispers* Also great for removing copyright if you want to vid a song. :)

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

one nice thing about m4b is that your podfics won't come up on a music shuffle. You know, at a work party or something.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Ahhh...bonus. So yeah, it recognises that it's not music. I think this is making me head down the iPod route after all. My little MP3 is very old now..

:)

(ooh, ooh, you mentioned on a post a bit back that you'd be willing to beta festivid vids... Um... I might just take you up on that. I'm a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. Not having really vidded other fandom before (well, once). It will be ages away as I have 2 other vids to finish first. I'll check with you closer to the time and see if you are interested. :)

xx

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

Of course! As you know I'm an easy-going and relaxed beta. :D

Although do email or PM me so I don't miss you...almost missed this comment.

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

You might be able to convert them back to mp3 in iTunes. Never tried it cause I use the m4b format on my Touch.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Tried that. Didn't work. I think I'm going to get an iPod and be done with it.:)

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

Try this:

Rename to M4A and use iTunes to convert to mp3.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh. Ok. Sound Converter might be able to do that too then. It recognises M4a files.

Will try it. Thanks
xx

[sothcweden.livejournal.com]

I don't know where you dl podfic from, but it's my understanding that at the Audiofic Archive all recordings are made available as mp3. Many are also available in other formats, like m4b.

The advantage to that format, from what I've heard, is that it's possible to bookmark the file so that even if you switch to a different recording you can still pick up where you left off when you return to the first file.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

That's where I get my dl's. Great site. So easy to find stuff. I found a couple of fics that I really want to listen to but they are in m4b only. I have a few hints now about how to fix that.

I'd like to be able to use m4b, especially for the bookmarking. My MP3 is notorious for losing where I am up to.

[sothcweden.livejournal.com]

I have the same frustration with my mp3 player. I love listening to long plotty podfic as I knit, but I often listen to old favorites as I fall asleep, making me wish I had a way to easily return to the spot in whatever new fic I'd been listening to. Using my player's fast forward to return to the spot I left just kills my battery (and is annoying to do).

BTW, I tried the audio converter mentioned in an earlier comment on a couple of unprotected m4a tracks I got from my brother, and it worked great to convert them to mp3, so that could definitely be an option.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks hun.

I think I will try that conversion next. :)