Convert rm file to m4a for iTunes(converting Real Media files from BBC to iTunes m4a)

Hello,

I'm currently ripping rm audio files from the BBC website with Replay AV and using WavePad to edit the files to cut out some of the pre-amble, etc. I'm then using WavePad to convert the edited file to m4a to be imported into iTunes.

I was just wondering whether this was the best way or if anyone had a superior technique? Also, does anyone have a suggestion for batch converting rm files to m4a (ie. for those files that don't need editing)?

Thanks in anticipation

Radio2ipod is a freeware Mac application written in Java that allows you to record RealAudio streams to your iPod. Radio2ipod is is a newer version of StreamRecorder.

You can drag an audio link from BBC to the main window of Radio2iPod and it will start recording it.

Lucky Mac OS users! They have free software to record streaming audio from BBC and transfer to Apple iPod.

I had problems converting BBC streams automatically with Replay AV. But since installing Replay Converter 3.0 beta the conversion of Real Media/Real Audio audio streams from BBC has been working great.

How to convert audio streams to m4a, m4b (and add to iTunes) after capturing them with Replay AV

• In the Replay AV open the Properties window for the show which files should be converted after capturing.
• Select the Basic tab. Select the format you want to convert to (such as m4a, m4b,...) in the After recording, convert to combo box.
• Select the Output tab. Mark the Keep copy of the original file after converting check box (if you wanna keep the original recordings).
• On the Output tab check Add to iTunes library if needed.
• Click the OK button.

You should also change the DirectShow options of the Replay Converter

• Launch the Replay Converter
• Hit the Options button. Hit the Audio conversion options button.
• In the Audio Conversion Options mark Real (.ra) and Other checkboxes to use Direct Show when converting from these audio formats.
• Hit the OK button. Hit the OK button.

For whatever reason I couldn't make Replay Converter 3 to work with .rm audio files captured from BBC and other sources. Changing the DirectShow options didn't help. The solution was simple:

• Close all applications.
• Re-install K-Lite Mega Codec Pack.
• Re-install Replay Converter.

That's it!

I have never used the conversion option of Replay AV before. It appeared that this can save my time compared to using audio/video converters after capturing and adding the converted m4a, m4b audio files to iTunes manually.

Long ago I used Streambox Ripper to convert Real Audio/Real Media to MP3. Unlike other converters the program was very stable.

Converting Real Audio/Real Video files with Streambox Ripper

• Launch Streambox Ripper
• Click Load and select your .ra or .rm file
• Hit the Convert button.
• The options window will appear, where you can select to copy to MP3 or WAV, whether to use an equalizer, etc. I used to convert to MP3 files without using the equalizer.
• Hit the OK when you're done.

If you have any problems with .dll libraries, please read the text file in the StreamboxRipper folder.

I'm not sure whether StreamboxRipper works with Real Alternative or not. Even the latest versions of Real Player may need some manipulations with dll files to make it work.

Adding MP3 files to iTunes
Select your MP3 files and drag and drop them into iTunes. Change the ID3 tags if needed.