Now then. After toying around with this task, this is what I found.
Because the file I’m trying to convert is in a protected M4B formats,
none of the following programmes worked:
-iTunes
-Free m4b to mp3 converter
-Inaudible
-WavePad File Converter
I came across Easy M4P Converter, a programme that is indeed able to
convert protected M4B file formats. However, this programme is neither
accessible nor free. I must say though that I didn’t spend much time
trying to figure it out, so maybe others will find away to use it
successfully. Alternatively, there are other tools out there to convert
protected M4B files by simply rerecording them, but they take, well, as
long as it takes to play the audio book in question.
Thank you very much for all the help; it was much appreciated. But in
the end, I gave in and listened to the book on my iPhone.
Conclusion, I’d rather develop a haemorrhoids than buying an Apple audio
book again!
All the best,
Amro
On 22/09/2019 12:55 am, David Griffith wrote:
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
To be honest the only fast DRM convertor I found was Inaudible but I think that only applies to Audible format but it might be worth checking.
Sound Taxi was remarkably slow when I used to try using that and in practice I left it running overnight anyway.
If the option is to use convertors that take so long you leave them running overnight then I would, to be honest, simply use a free app like the excellent Virtual Recorder, set it to a suitable Mp3 bitrate and leave the book playing overnight on iTunes and let Virtual Recorder turn the output into an Mp3 file for you. Leave headphones in on very low volume to avoid disturbance.
If the book is more than say 8 hours long you may have to do this over more than one night but it would do the job for you whilst you are asleep so providing you are patient it is pretty painless.
There is also an option in Virtual Recorder to disable Window sounds during the recording which may be useful for you.
This assumes iTunes will read the book through and not stop at any chapter. I have not used iTunes to buy books and after your experience will not be doing so soon.
I used to use total Recorder for something similar but Virtual Recorder is free and seems to do a better job to me.
David Griffith
Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10
*From: *Amro Bilal <mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Sent: *21 September 2019 23:35
*To: *access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject: *[access-uk] Re: iTunes audio book on the Victor Stream
Hi David,
Many thanks for your comprehensive reply, much appreciated.
Unfortunately, I bought the book from the iTunes store so it is
protected. I’ve had a look at this programme's website, and it seems to
have few cool apps that may come handy one day. It does have another
programme to convert protected files, but it works by rerecording the
material, which is not the quickest way.
All the best,
Amro
On 21/09/2019 03:35 pm, David Griffith wrote:
>
> You won’t be in any copyright trouble as you are converting the
> material into an accessible format for personal use. This is
> specifically allowed in the Act year and title I can’t recall just
> now but was in earlier part of this century.
>
> Anyway to refer to your specific issue.
>
> If the format iTunes is delivering to you is an m4b audio book format
> and is not copy protected there are tools for providing this conversion.
>
> Unfortunately most main Audio Convertors like from memory like
> GoldWave and Switch have in my experience the problem of truncating
> the book so you lose the last part of it for some reason.
>
> The program I have used successfully in the past is a program called
>
> Free m4b to mp3 converter which works well as it also if you wish
> splits the m4b file into mp3 chapters.
>
> However the bad news is that I think you would definitely have to use
> the Jaws cursor to use the program and I don’t think it would be, for
> example, accessible with NVDA. You could of course use Jaws in free 40
> minute mode if you are currently restricted to NVDA only.
>
> From memory you need to find the add button with the jaws cursor (use
> num pad minus and then normal arrow keys) and use a virtual mouse
> click on that ( numpad /), then an accessible windows dialogue comes
> up asking for the location of the m4b file and then after pressing OK
> on that you have to then find the convert button again with the Jaws
> cursor and click on that.
>
> It will then convert your m4b file into mp3 chapters.
>
> Provided you are used to using the Jaws cursor it works well.
>
> I don’t have it installed on my machine right now but will have a look
> on my setup folder to see if I still have the install. Like many free
> programs it tries to get you to install other stuff but you can turn
> this down.
>
> David Griffith
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows 10
>
> *From: *Amro Bilal <mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> *Sent: *21 September 2019 14:34
> *To: *access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> *Subject: *[access-uk] Re: iTunes audio book on the Victor Stream
>
> Well, if someone has an idea but concerned it might be breaking some
>
> anal copy right rule, please feel free to email me off list. I don’t
>
> wish to infringe on anyone’s rights, I only want to listen to this book
>
> on my Stream because I find using it a lot easier than using the iPhone.
>
> It’s not like I’m threatening world peace! *smile*
>
> Amro
>
> On 21/09/2019 02:11 pm, Eleanor Martha Burke wrote:
>
> > I am fairly certain you can only legally listen to your book through
> iTunes.I am fairly certain you can only legally listen to your book
> through iTunes.
>
> >
>
> > http://www.justgiving.com/Eleanor-Burke-Aniridia Link
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >> On 21 Sep 2019, at 14:05, Amro Bilal <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >>
>
> >> Thanks, Mike, for the suggestion. However, it’s not an Audible.com
> book; I’ve no problem with those! It’s a book I’ve bought on the
> iTunes store. What would one call them? Apple books? Anyway, I’d like
> to listen to this book on my Stream rather than on my iPhone or
> computer. I’ve downloaded the book to my PC, but I’m not sure how to
> either authorise my Stream to play this kind of books, or, to remove
> the protection all together. The type of file is MPEG-4 Audio File
> (Protected) (.m4b). When I tried to play it on my Stream, I got error
> number 11. Some of the tools I have in my arsenal are WavePad Sound
> Editor and Prism Video File Converter, but I’m happy to download other
> free tools if I need to.
>
> >>
>
> >> Any pointers listers? Many thanks.
>
> >>
>
> >> Amro
>
> >>
>
> >>> On 21/09/2019 11:07 am, Michael Cassidy wrote:
>
> >>> Hi Amro,
>
> >>>
>
> >>> Yes you can; I take it that you have authorised your device to
> play Audible books. If so, just copy the book to your Stream’s SD card
> and away you go.
>
> >>>
>
> >>> Hth,
>
> >>>
>
> >>> Mike
>
> >>>
>
> >>>>> On 21 Sep 2019, at 08:44, Amro Bilal <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >>>> Hi all,
>
> >>>>
>
> >>>>
>
> >>>> Can I play an audio book I have purchased from the iTunes store
> on my Victor Stream? If yes, what do I do please? I have never bought
> an audio book from iTunes before…
>
> >>>>
>
> >>>>
>
> >>>> Any pointers will be most welcomed.
>
> >>>>
>
> >>>>
>
> >>>> Amro
>
> >>>>
>
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