Microsoft free MP3 to WMA converter - save up to 50% space
 

Reference: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...p3convert.aspx

I recently downloaded dozens of "beginner" Chinesepod.com chinese language podcasts in MP3 format - over 1GB of files. That just wouldn't do on my 2GB chiPod. So I downloaded Microsoft's "Plus Media Bonus Pack for Windows XP" which contains the "MP3 Audioconvert LE" program. I reduced my disk storage to about 500MB by converting to WMA format - without sacrificing audio quality.

Usage is simple - just choose a directory full of MP3 files and let the program convert them alll to WMA. BTW, I did find one problem: conversion would fail if you started accessing or viewing any files you were converting before they were finished converting.

http://vegasmusictalk.com/test-video...mp3-to-wma.jpg

I've temporarily hosted the utility here:

http://vegasmusictalk.com/test-video...MP3-to-WMA.zip

Unzip the file into your C:\Program Files directory

You are absolutely great!! I used this and i had 600MB worth of songs and now its only 285MB and the audio quality is the same bitrate!! its fantastic.. I will try to host the file up myself. Thanks again! Great find!

Well ive got it uploaded, here is another backup link just in case the other ones go out.

http://yuyuelecstore.yu.funpic.org/dloads/mp3.rar

Downloading it.. ;)
I'll come back later with the results! ^^

Thanks Vegas215.com for your valuable input into this and great suggestion!!!

If you wanted to, you can UPLOAD it to this site directly.

If you go to the [Downloads] section, there is another section called "Uploads by Members". Upload the file there and I will authorise it and it will be available for everyone else. Plus, you will get credit for it as well.

Once again, thanks for your valuable contribution to the site, it's much appreciated.

I've tested it and it works very fine! ;D
Tnx for the upload!! xD

Re: Microsoft free MP3 to WMA converter - save up to 50% spa
 

not entirely true, ( im not Anti-Micro$oft). Only at very low bitrates, WMA is better than mp3, good for audio books, very bad for music.

Re: Microsoft free MP3 to WMA converter - save up to 50% spa
 

very bad for music ?? I certainly disagree.

I do tend to be a bit Anti-Microsoft yet I believe WMA is your best bet on chiPods. Most experts will tell you that if you are going for best quality sound then forget the top proprietary formats MP3, WMA and AAC and use OGG. However, most chiPods don't do OGG (although my 1.8" one does) so your choice is usually between MP3 and WMA.

ChiPods will never be super high-quality devices so I think any sound quality difference between a typical music MP3 and a much smaller WMA file will be negligible. The audio limitation will likely be the chiPod, not the audio format. (Throw away any cheap earbuds that come with chiPods/iPods and use real, quality headphones.)

Most MP3 vs WMA comparisons on the 'Net are very old and out-of-date. Here's a more recent one:

http://www.musicplayer.com/cgi-bin/u...1;t=025121;p=1

I would pay particular attention to the remarks of "Anderton" aka Craig Anderton, a well-known musician (former editor of "Electronic Musician"). Notice his personal format choice for limited-memory portable MP3 player versus a higher-fidelity home system.

When I rip my own CDs, I find that using Windows Media Player's built-in CD ripper set to WMA Variable Bit Rate (VBR) at the middle setting yields a very good sound. However, I am most critical about 'percussive' integrity. This may be less important than other sonic aspects for others listeners.

I've been reading that forum you linked.. =]
They look like to prefer WMA rather than MP3..
I'll do my own tests with TECHNO/TRANCE music and see wich one has the better PUMP! ;D
Come back later with some feedback! ^^

Re: Microsoft free MP3 to WMA converter - save up to 50% spa
 

Hopefully I don't need to point that with any convertor, the converted file should not sound better than the original but hopefully it will sound close to the original.

Any format comparisons should be made by ripping the same source CDROM to different formats.

I should also point out that if you RIP (or convert) using an old MP3 or WMA codec, any comparisons or conversions will be lower quality too. Use the latest MP3 and WMA audio codecs for the best sound (and better compression).