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January 22, 2007
iTunes ----> myTunes
How to strip songs purchased from iTunes of DRM (Digital Rights Management) and convert to an .mp3 file (Windows Only)...
"Take the .m4p file and burn it to a CD using iTunes. Now rip the CD into a .mp3 file."
True this method does work, but I want something quicker and I don't want to burn a CD.
I have heard of a command line tool (hymn) that would strip the DRM out of songs and figured I would give it a try. So I headed over to the hymn-project website to download their program. It turns out that hymn is dead. However, QTFairUse 6 2.5 is a GUI application that will also strip the DRM and is linked on the hymn website.
Strip DRM
So to test out this new application I loaded up iTunes and downloaded a new .m4p file. I then started up QTFairUse and selected 'Process Just These Files' and clicked 'add files'. Next, I clicked on 'Start Conversion'. This conversion takes the .m4p file and creates a new DRM free .m4a file. I know what you thinking at this point...it's still not an .mp3 file. But one thing to note is this whole conversion process took 34 seconds to complete.
Convert to .mp3
Within iTunes click on Edit, Preferences, Advanced tab, then Importing. Make sure that 'import Using' MP3 Encoder is selected. Now within your iTunes Library you should see your new .m4a file. Click on the song to select it and click 'Advanced'. You will now see a selection to 'Convert Selection to .MP3'. This conversion from .m4a to .mp3 took me about 15 seconds.
Posted by joe harr at 7:12 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2007
Current ring tone - Dean Martin ain't that a kick in the head
How to add an .mp3 to your Verizon cell to use as a ring tone:
1) Take an .mp3 and convert it to a .wav file. (I use a program called Audio WAV to MP3 Converter 1.22. It's a random freeware program I found on the web)
2) I then use the built in Sound Recorder program within Windows to then trim the track down to 30 seconds.
3) Now you convert the .wav file back to an .mp3 file. However, make sure that you change the encoder bit rate down to between 48 and 64. The final .mp3 file needs to be under 300kb.
4) Next email your new .mp3 file to yourphonenumber@vzwpix.com
5) Open the text message on your phone and save the sound file.
Note: There are many ways that one might find to be easier. This is just the way I do it.
Posted by joe harr at 10:20 PM | Comments (2)
January 2, 2007
Textamerica...... :(
Well, the great folks at textamerica.com have decided to eliminate their free service. I was a member of their site since Nov 2004. The photo you now see on the top left (if looking at the screen) is now hosted with Flickr.com. I'm not to happy about this.
If anyone would like to go in on a textamerica account please let me know. I'm willing to pay for two shares worth. (It is $99 for 5 moblogs)
Posted by joe harr at 10:46 PM | Comments (0)