Technical question

[OSUFan]

I have put some of my old pictures together in a storyboard and now I want to add background music. When I try to import a m4p file, I get a message that says "... cannot be imported because the codec required to play the file is not installed on your computer" but I can play them on itunes and itunes is on my computer. Do I have to convert my music files or is there a way to get around all this? Thanks!

[ARPoke]

m4p files are protected AAC files that are typically loaded with DRM from Apple. You would most likely need to convert the file to mp3 or wav to make it easy to add as background music. Quite a few programs exist that will convert m4p to mp3/wav, most of the good ones will cost you ~$30, but there are freeware options that will work. If you google for "m4p to mp3 converter" you will get a nice list of applications that will all do what you need.

If you don't want to buy any software, and don't mind wasting a blank CD, you can follow the directions from "Solution #1" on this site:

http://www.wmatomp3-converter.com/guide/How-to-convert-iTunes-protected-M4P-to-MP3.html

[OSUFan]

Thanks! I have a ringtone program I might be able to use that might do the conversion. I was just hoping I didn't have to convert.

[Poohness]

I have used a method very similar to the free one that ARPoke mentions. It works but you waste a CD in the process. I just did a Goole search on "itunes MP3" and I think it was the first hit.

[wickerbill]

You also might be able to upgrade the protected itunes music file to an unprotected one at a higher quality level for 30 cents. It's probably worth doing to save the time and CD in addition to getting a higher quality file that sounds a little better. To do it go to the iTunes store and then on the right side of the main page there should be a link for Upgrade to iTunes Plus. Click that and then look in there for the song and then click BUY. Then it will replace the m4p with an unprotected file that hopefully will work with your program.

[OSUFan]

I'm adding it to a Windows Movie Maker. I'm trying to create some storyboard movies with all the old pictures I have found. The program didn't find one music file on my C:\ drive. I know I have a few of the iTunes Plus songs, regular iTunes songs and songs I have pulled off CDs so I don't know what kind of music file it is looking for. It doesn't indicate what it is searching for. It just says "Audio and Music Files."

I will continue to look into it. Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I will try them all.

[ARPoke]

Here is the knowledge base article from Microsoft about supported formats, MP3 and WAV are the two main ones supported. AAC (Apple's proprietary format) doesn't play well with any Microsoft app that I am aware of. Upgrading the track to DRM free like wickerbill suggested would definitely make it easier to find a free converter on the Internets.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308464

[petesgirl]

When I've used Windows Movie Maker, I've had to convert all music files to WAV files. I just used trial downloads of music editing software that I found online to convert the files. Also, if you have software that can make ringtones, sometimes that will convert MP3s and MP4s to WAV files.

[OSUFan]

Thanks so much! I will work on getting some wav files created.

[casdas]

I'm a little late to this party, but you might check out Windows Photo Story (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_Story). If I were doing a slide show using only photos, no video, I'd use this instead of MovieMaker.

[OSUFan]

I will check it out. Thanks casdas!