Converting .aa files to mp3's
|
|
jadoglio
Newbie
|
19. November 2007 @ 19:16 |
Link to this message
|
Nicely done. And he is right this will work. And it does not matter what version of Audible manager you have. But if/when you upgrade it (and probably when/if you upgrade WMP) you will probably need to reinstall the audible filter after the upgrade to make it keep working.
JADO
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
riprat
Newbie
|
19. November 2007 @ 21:15 |
Link to this message
|
Originally posted by bratcher:
What is Twit? This week in what?
This Week In Tech
|
Fairy9
Suspended permanently
|
23. November 2007 @ 05:38 |
Link to this message
|
spam removed
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 8. January 2008 @ 08:16
|
nacht
Newbie
|
23. November 2007 @ 07:36 |
Link to this message
|
Originally posted by linkvoid: Okay. After several hours, i've gotten it to work.
Since I know how difficult it to find everything to make an Audible (.aa) file into an MP3 or any other format, I've created a kit which contains everything you'll need. It doesn't matter if you have any version of Audible Manager installed, and the version of Windows Media Player that you have foesn't matter either (I used WMP 11).
Here's how to do it:
1. Download the kit here.
2. Extract the files, then install Goldwave (gwave522.exe). Once installed, copy the LAME MP3 Encoder (lame_enc.dll) to "C:\Program Files\GoldWave".
3. Install the audible media player filter (AudibleMediaPlayerFilter.exe). If a message pops up saying that you are missing a dll, do a search for that missing dll and download it, moving it to "Windows\System". (When I installed it, I needed a file called "msvci70.dll", so I've included it in the kit assuming that you will need it too.)
4. Test the media player filter by opening your Audible (.aa) files using Windows Media Player.
5. Open Goldwave and open your Audible (.aa) file. Goldwave will take a few minutes or so to read the file, depending on the size. Once Goldwave has read the file, go to "File > Save As", and pick the format you want to convert to in the drop-down menu. Click Save.
6. Let your .aa file bake at 350 degrees for awhile. Once its finished converting, transfer to your MP3 player (or cd, media player, or whatever) and enjoy your new MP3 (or other format) audiobook!
Thanks for the kit!
I had trouble getting stuff to work after getting Vista, and this brought me back on track.
I was missing a different dll though and downloaded it from [url=http://www.dll-files.com][/url]
|
knipknup
Newbie
|
23. November 2007 @ 11:35 |
Link to this message
|
Does tunecab take a long time? Say to convert a 1 hour .aa file. Also, what size are the resultant files compared to the original .aa files?
who dat?
|
Fairy9
Suspended permanently
|
30. November 2007 @ 05:09 |
Link to this message
|
knipknup,
tonight I've tried 3-hours file from audible.com, it was converting about an hour :)
But i think it depends on you PC system. Try to find info on their site or mail to their support.
|
Convertor
Newbie
|
30. November 2007 @ 05:51 |
Link to this message
|
I downloaded and even paid for Tunecab, and yes it works, it's just very slow. I have a pretty fast PC and it took well over an hour maybe even longer to convert a 5 hour audible file. It comes out small or large depending on the bit rate you choose. 5hrs 42mins at 24kbps is 58 megs. 24kbps sounds just fine for audiobooks. Using the complicated Goldwave/WMP/old audible filter/etc. method only takes minutes to convert.
The Convertor
|
knipknup
Newbie
|
30. November 2007 @ 08:11 |
Link to this message
|
I use soundtaxi (which I purchased for around $15 or so), it takes an hour to convert an 8 hour audible file. I guess this is slow, except that I tell it to watch a directory, and I also have my audible files podcasting, so the daily stuff that downloads automatically also converts automatically while I sleep. The WSJ daily doesn't download in time to convert before I leave for work, so it isn't perfect. The file sizes are also quite a bit larger. A typical WSJ daily runs about an hour and the .aa file is around 6MB. After conversion, the .mp3 file from soundtaxi is 20MB large, almost 4x (with conversion sampling set at 96kbs and it goes only as low as 32). It may get closer setting the conversion sampling rate to 32, but I use soundtaxi primarily for music, so I don't. This is around the same size results as tunebite, however, that takes forever and ever to convert. The whole goal in life is to eliminate the manual work and do it fast right?
who dat?
|
betabeta
Newbie
|
8. December 2007 @ 01:51 |
Link to this message
|
Originally posted by linkvoid: Okay. After several hours, i've gotten it to work.
Since I know how difficult it to find everything to make an Audible (.aa) file into an MP3 or any other format, I've created a kit which contains everything you'll need. It doesn't matter if you have any version of Audible Manager installed, and the version of Windows Media Player that you have foesn't matter either (I used WMP 11).
Here's how to do it:
1. Download the kit here.......
Linkvoid, Thank you! I registered just so I could tell you that. It worked. For me there was a step missing, but I figured it out. During the install of Gold Wave it told me I needed to turn the DirectX filter on for WMP once the install was complete. Did that inside of Goldwave and all worked. Also, the first time it only converted the first 10 seconds.. .don't know why. I retried again and on the second attempt it worked well.
I did a 5 1/2 hour book in 10 minutes, that is way fast enough for my needs. I have over 100 books to convert so you can imagine how it important to was get this issue resolved so I could play them on my Zune. I've paid various prices for those books but even at an average of $10 each we are talking a minimum 1K I had invested in expanding my literary knowledge being flushed down the drain. Some I had only listened to partially when my old mp3 player broke, so you have made me a VERY HAPPY person that is for sure!
Few other items for future readers:
You won't see .aa in the save as file list, select see all files to find and select them.
If you own a Zune and want to do bookmarking, after you convert the file, open it in Goldwave, go to file, information (this allows you to edit the tag and title, artist, etc) in the genre field put podcast then save the file and close the file. Copy the file to your zune, podcast folder (the only place that has a bookmark feature on the zune at this time). I created a folder with the book name inside the podcast folder and placed it in that so things will stay organized on the zune. Works like a charm, you will be able to pause your book, turn off your zune, come back later and pick up where you left off.
I recorded at the 16 bit 22050 HZ stereo rate since it said that is what the original was. It left a slight echo, nothing unbearable but definitely noticeable. I suggest playing around with the various rate options until you find one of your liking.
Final word, good fixes like these tend to get deleted or crushed sooner or later, so don't hesitate, download (always scan files with your antivirus software first of course) and use before they disappear. At least I will get my inital investment with Audible converted and will play it by ear on buying more from them until I see if they will get Zune on their device list.
Again, Linkvoid I owe you a solid, thanks! I'm off to the Goldwave site to send these folks some cash, LOL. They should give you a commission!
|
Viper714
Newbie
|
9. December 2007 @ 05:20 |
Link to this message
|
Originally posted by linkvoid: Okay. After several hours, i've gotten it to work.
Since I know how difficult it to find everything to make an Audible (.aa) file into an MP3 or any other format, I've created a kit which contains everything you'll need. It doesn't matter if you have any version of Audible Manager installed, and the version of Windows Media Player that you have foesn't matter either (I used WMP 11).
Here's how to do it:
1. Download the kit here.
2. Extract the files, then install Goldwave (gwave522.exe). Once installed, copy the LAME MP3 Encoder (lame_enc.dll) to "C:\Program Files\GoldWave".
3. Install the audible media player filter (AudibleMediaPlayerFilter.exe). If a message pops up saying that you are missing a dll, do a search for that missing dll and download it, moving it to "Windows\System". (When I installed it, I needed a file called "msvci70.dll", so I've included it in the kit assuming that you will need it too.)
4. Test the media player filter by opening your Audible (.aa) files using Windows Media Player.
5. Open Goldwave and open your Audible (.aa) file. Goldwave will take a few minutes or so to read the file, depending on the size. Once Goldwave has read the file, go to "File > Save As", and pick the format you want to convert to in the drop-down menu. Click Save.
6. Let your .aa file bake at 350 degrees for awhile. Once its finished converting, transfer to your MP3 player (or cd, media player, or whatever) and enjoy your new MP3 (or other format) audiobook!
I did everything suggested to the "T". When i try to open a .aa file the audible section navigation widow opens and the file never loads.
Anyone know what I am doing wrong?? I am using vista!!
Help please!!!
Viper
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. December 2007 @ 13:53
|
betabeta
Newbie
|
9. December 2007 @ 23:19 |
Link to this message
|
This happened to me at first too, but I have XP prof. First make sure you can launch and play an .aa file in WMP (windows media player) and that little audible control works over there. If it does you should be okay on the Gold wave side. On the install in goldwave you might see a message about installing a directx filter or turning in on. That is the missing step I was refering to when I said "During the install of Gold Wave it told me I needed to turn the DirectX filter on for WMP once the install was complete. Did that inside of Goldwave and all worked."
You may have had this message and missed it. So to be sure, Start goldwave, click Options, Plug in, Effect, and select DirectX. A new box will open, check off WMplug (I also checked RealPlayer plug since I use that too). Once selected close and then reopen goldwave.
That fixed the problem for me. Next time I opened an .aa file and the little audible control that you normally see in WMP opened too.
But again, I'm on XP Pro, I don't have any Vista PCs to try it on.
|
Fairy9
Suspended permanently
|
12. December 2007 @ 08:26 |
Link to this message
|
spam removed
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 8. January 2008 @ 08:16
|
knipknup
Newbie
|
12. December 2007 @ 09:27 |
Link to this message
|
Hmmm, heading off to try TuneCab... Stay tuned...
who dat?
|
Viper714
Newbie
|
12. December 2007 @ 22:26 |
Link to this message
|
Originally posted by betabeta: This happened to me at first too, but I have XP prof. First make sure you can launch and play an .aa file in WMP (windows media player) and that little audible control works over there. If it does you should be okay on the Gold wave side. On the install in goldwave you might see a message about installing a directx filter or turning in on. That is the missing step I was refering to when I said "During the install of Gold Wave it told me I needed to turn the DirectX filter on for WMP once the install was complete. Did that inside of Goldwave and all worked."
You may have had this message and missed it. So to be sure, Start goldwave, click Options, Plug in, Effect, and select DirectX. A new box will open, check off WMplug (I also checked RealPlayer plug since I use that too). Once selected close and then reopen goldwave.
That fixed the problem for me. Next time I opened an .aa file and the little audible control that you normally see in WMP opened too.
But again, I'm on XP Pro, I don't have any Vista PCs to try it on.
Well I loaded it in XP and everything worked!!! Unfortunately I purchased SoundTaxi prior to all this but it seems that the goldwave method works better. SoundTaxi on Vista is a Dog. They say it works better in XP. Going to try that. Will let you know!!!!
|
cgacfox
Newbie
|
16. December 2007 @ 14:28 |
Link to this message
|
Ok I am lost guys. I have GW installed and have followed all the steps laid out by Xeerex. I can play the book in WMP 11 and a little selection navigation box pops up. When I try to open the book in GW it won't recognize the .aa file. I switch to all files and open it and get an error message. It says it cannot determine the file format. There are several things I can choose from but I have no clue as to what to do next. All I want to do is convert to MP3 and have the book in managable chapters. Is there an easier way to do this? I am not very savvy when it comes to things like this.
|
betabeta
Newbie
|
16. December 2007 @ 15:45 |
Link to this message
|
If you have performed the step I mentioned above "You may have had this message and missed it. So to be sure, Start goldwave, click Options, Plug in, Effect, and select DirectX. A new box will open, check off WMplug (I also checked RealPlayer plug since I use that too). Once selected close and then reopen goldwave. "
and you are on XP it should work the next time you close and open GW and open all files. Sorry can't help more without actually seeing what is happening, error messages and such.
|
cgacfox
Newbie
|
16. December 2007 @ 16:17 |
Link to this message
|
Well, I did get it to work....sort of. I uninstalled the latest version of GW and installed an older version. It then worked. However, it did not take the entire part 1 of the book and convert it. It starts after the beginning some time. Do I need to start it over again? Also, once I get this to work, how can I break it up into the original chapters so that it is easier to work with on my player? Audible just gives you one HUGE file and I am not sure how to break it up into the chapters after that.
|
cgacfox
Newbie
|
16. December 2007 @ 18:07 |
Link to this message
|
Well I redid the 1st file and it worked!!! Also converted part 2 and it works fine. Now I need to figure out how to break it up in the original chapters. Is there a program out there that can do this? I know I will have to probably listen to the entire file to get it to work but need a program that will do it.
|
phenner
Newbie
|
16. December 2007 @ 22:34 |
Link to this message
|
|
sam4949
Newbie
|
17. December 2007 @ 06:08 |
Link to this message
|
If you are using goldwave to convert AA files first.
Once you have the AA flie loaded in Goldwave you can convert it to MP3 direct without converting to Wave format.
You can also at the same time as you convert to MP3 you can get Goldwave to automaticly split the file into segments of any lenght you like and name the fils at the same time.
You can also get goldwave to look for silence in the file say at around 15 mis intervals and split the file within a few seconds of the time you want but all the splits will be time based not chapter based
Regards
|
betabeta
Newbie
|
17. December 2007 @ 14:36 |
Link to this message
|
Sam4949 beat me too the punch, I just used the markers in goldwave to split the files, read the user doc, it will explain better than I can. I'm so happy you were able to get it to work!
|
kkaudible
Newbie
|
21. December 2007 @ 11:20 |
Link to this message
|
Please help.
Hello, I am a serious newbie, this new fix for conversion is difficult for me. I still can't get Goldwave to recognize my Audible file in the drop down. I open my Goldwave, then i clicked "open" in the drop down to find my audible file to convert. It sees none. I went to Plugin-Effect-direct X. But my choices are only "cyberlink Audio noice reduction" and Cyberlink Audio booster." I have no WMA or anything else. Please tell me what I am missing. I do have Lame enstalled as an encoder. I am using XP.
|
kkaudible
Newbie
|
21. December 2007 @ 11:39 |
Link to this message
|
I finally got it to find one of my files in my documents, audible, downloads, but the smal square "section Navigation" opens up and just sits there. Nothing happens. It is suppose to take this long to open the file?
|
betabeta
Newbie
|
21. December 2007 @ 14:04 |
Link to this message
|
KKaudible, have you ever been able to play an audible file in windows meadia player? you must play one in that first and make sure it works correctly then go back and try the steps we have been discussing in this thread. Also in goldwave, when you do a file open, use *.* to locate your audible files. I hope this helps.
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
kkaudible
Newbie
|
21. December 2007 @ 16:32 |
Link to this message
|
Sorry i spoke too quickly. I was pulling up the file from the wrong folder. I finally got it to work. Thanks for everything.( and for answering my question.)
|