Converting audible.com's download for portable CD player

[media5]

I've joined Audible.com for a free trial and downloaded 2 books. Their file extension is *.aa. When I copy the files to a CD using Nero Ultra 7, the CD plays in my PC's CD-ROM. However, that CD does not play when I put it into a portable CD player.

Audible suggested the problem might be either in the CD media or the optical zone of my CD player. I tried it in another CD player, it doesn't play either.

Someone told me it is the file format -- CD players can only play *.cda and *.mp3(?) formats. And the reason that CD plays in the computer's CD-ROM is because of the software (Windows' Media Player).

Can someone confirm that the file format is, OR at least could be part of, the problem? If yes, is there any free converters out there?

TIA

Some CD players support CD audio only, others may also supports formats like MP3, AAC, OGG, WMA. It really depends.

When using Nero did you burn a Data CD or an Audio CD? Try to burn an Audio CD. You may use rewritable CD-RW discs for your experiments (only very old CD players don't support them).

If the problem persists, you may try to use DRM removal software to remove copy-protection from Windows Media Player files and then burn them to an Audio CD.

Tunebite can remove DRM protection from .AA files.

Other DRM removal tools like free FairUse4WM, SoundTaxi, freeTunes can remove DRM protection from Windows Media Player files. However I haven't tested them with .AA files yet.

[media5]

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

Some CD players support CD audio only, others may also supports formats like MP3, AAC, OGG, WMA. It really depends.

When using Nero did you burn a Data CD or an Audio CD? Try to burn an Audio CD. You may use rewritable CD-RW discs for your experiments (only very old CD players don't support them).

I first tried Audio CD, but Nero won't recognize the .aa format. Then Audible's tech support told me to use Data CD; and it doesn't run in my portable CD player.

If the problem persists, you may try to use DRM removal software to remove copy-protection from Windows Media Player files and then burn them to an Audio CD.

I have used GoldWave to convert the .aa files to .mp3. But it still doesn't run in my CD Player. Is that because of the copy protection or is it possible that my cheap CD player plays .cda format only?

Is there a free software that would convert the .mp3 to .cda? (I don't see .cda in GoldWave.)

I have looked at the DRM removal softwares from your link. I can't get the FairUse4WM to work. It complaints about lacking some file; but didn't specify the file. And what is the "individualization version .3930" all about? Why does it need to have "a unique hardware identifier"? The Windows Media Player is working fine on my PC as it is?

I have also tried SoundTaxi and Tunebite (it didn't convert .aa files). They, of course, convert only 90 seconds of each file.

TIA and Merry X'mas.

[media5]

I just find out that Nero Ultra 7 would automatically convert .mp3 to .cda. However, the problem now is that the size won't fint onto a CD. The mp3 file is 20MB; and Nero told me that it requires 2.8GB. Is that possible? [The CD is 700MB.]

FYI, the .mp3 file is set to Layer-3, 8000Hz 8 kbps, mono. The 10 times expansion doesn't seem right. [I am less than a novice in this area.] May be I can tweak some Nero settings????

If the proportion is correct, can Nero split the file? IF yes, how to do it? If not, is there any free CD burners with that feature?

TIA

Originally Posted by media5

I just find out that Nero Ultra 7 would automatically convert .mp3 to .cda. However, the problem now is that the size won't fint onto a CD. The mp3 file is 20MB; and Nero told me that it requires 2.8GB. Is that possible? [The CD is 700MB.]

FYI, the .mp3 file is set to Layer-3, 8000Hz 8 kbps, mono. The 10 times expansion doesn't seem right. [I am less than a novice in this area.] May be I can tweak some Nero settings????

If the proportion is correct, can Nero split the file? IF yes, how to do it? If not, is there any free CD burners with that feature?

700 Mb CD can take 80 minutes of audio data onboard.

I use mp3DirectCut to cut .mp3 files.

You may also use free sound editor Audacity. It can record from your sound card as well. I suggest you to record to .wav or any lossless format like FLAC to avoid lossy conversion to mp3.

Originally Posted by media5

I first tried Audio CD, but Nero won't recognize the .aa format. Then Audible's tech support told me to use Data CD; and it doesn't run in my portable CD player.

You won't be able to play these files on any portable CD Player. You need Audio CD and it requires DRM to be removed.

Originally Posted by media5

I have used GoldWave to convert the .aa files to .mp3. But it still doesn't run in my CD Player. Is that because of the copy protection or is it possible that my cheap CD player plays .cda format only?

Most probably your CD player supports CD Audio only. You may read the manual to be sure.
However many CD Players that support MP3 files have with some restrictions on bit-rate,...

Originally Posted by media5

I have looked at the DRM removal softwares from your link. I can't get the FairUse4WM to work. It complaints about lacking some file; but didn't specify the file. And what is the "individualization version .3930" all about? Why does it need to have "a unique hardware identifier"? The Windows Media Player is working fine on my PC as it is?

Individualization version .3930 is related to the Windows Media Player 10.00.00.3930. It is a version of your Indivbox.key.

You may wanna read more about Windows Media Player Individualization Process.

DRM protection prevents files from being redistributed. Usually you can't just copy your DRM protected files to another PC and play them. Every system must be individualized to be able to use Windows Media files with Microsoft's DRM.

Originally Posted by media5

I have also tried SoundTaxi and Tunebite (it didn't convert .aa files). They, of course, convert only 90 seconds of each file.

It depends on the version of you WMP.
Tunebite has a support forum. You may ask a question about it over there. And I have contacted Soundtaxi support staff.

[media5]

It turns out that the older version of Audible Manager has the ability to convert to cda (using Roxio software); but no one on the internet mention that. All was said is that one needs to downgrade to version 3.5 and 4.0 and work with another software (like GoldWave).

And the upgrade to Nero 7 also has that feature. This will be my New Year project.

Thanks for all the suggestion. I learn something that would be useful going forward.