AudioBooks to M4B Files

[J4ye]

Hi

I have an Ipod Video & have searched on all the forums on how to get audio books to load into Audiobook Folder & not Music Folder. As all my audiobooks keep going into the Music Folder.

In the forums "Library>Highlight and Right Click File Name>Show Song File" but not for the latest version of ITunes as there is no "Show Song File option" or Tools button to click on Folder Options so no window opens to change settings.

I have converted them to ACC but they have saved as M4A files, and cannot convert them to M4B's so they go straight into Audiobooks Folder.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

A confused J4ye!! x

[Code Monkey]

There's no conversion, you just change the file extension to .m4b. Whether you're talking .m4a, .m4p, or .m4b they're all just AAC with or without FairPlay encryption; there's no difference in the actual audio format itself.

[J4ye]

Ok but how do I do that? I am not very up on technology!!!

Sorry

J4ye x

[Code Monkey]

You r-click the file and choose 'rename' and change the 'a' to a 'b'. If you did all this in iTunes you'll have to re-add the .m4b named file and delete the now invalid library entry for the .m4a named file.

[Sparkee]

You will have to change the file name in Windows Explorer, not in iTunes and you will need to set Windows to display the extensions for known file types. Open the folder you have the audiobooks stored in in Windows Explorer. Click the Tools menu at the top then click Folder Options. The Folder Options window will pop up, click on the View tab. Find the entry "Hide extensions for known file types" in the Advanced settings section and remove the check mark. It is a good security measure to leave this unchecked since malicious software can't hide it's extension making an .exe file hide as a .jpg or something similar. Click the OK button, now all your files should display their extensions, ie. "Your AudioBook.m4a". Change it to "Your AudioBook.m4b" then re-add to iTunes to get it to recognize the changes.

[robert]

there are detailed step by step instructions, including screen shots, in both conversion and FAQ links in signature below.

[goldcoaster]

I have a little post HERE
that hopefully explains it for you.


----------------------------------------
- Goldcoaster

[ajrenee]

I did what sparkee recommended, and I got my audiobook to change to m4b format, but my itunes library doesn't have a folder for audiobooks, and it still shows up in my music folder. Is that normal? I don't have my ipod with me right now, but I just want to make sure that it wont show up on my music (I like to shuffle my songs). Thanks

[cjmnews]

If you renamed the files, you'll have to Get Info on each file, it will complain that it can't find the original file, and ask you to locate it. Choose the renamed file, click OK.

If you copied the files, delete the m4a version from the library, and import the m4b version.

[ajrenee]

okay, I've got my audiobook downloaded and renamed and where I want it, but am I going to be stuck with a file for each CD? Is there any way to merge them together without downloading any software?

[cjmnews]

Once again it is not worth it to combine them into one file, as you have to download software, and the file may not play on all iPods. Search this forum for yamb and my login if you want to read a whole discussion. Robert has links in his signature to aid in this.

You're better off making a smart playlist.
Name is name of the book
Play count is 0
Live updating is checked.

Name the playlist as the book name.

When you want to listen to the book, find the playlist and press play.
As you finish the files they fall out of the playlist.
Since Remember playback position is set, it remembers where it was in the file (and playlist).

After you're done with the book, find the files (by author or title) select them all and reset the play count.