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Nintendo's Tech Support Forums :
Nintendo DS :
Nintendo DSi :
AAC Conversion Program Suggestions...
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AAC Conversion Program Suggestions...
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ONE-OF-THREE
Regular Contributor
Posts: 4628
Registered: 12-21-2007
Message 1 of 22
Viewed 4,049 times
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Hi all,
Just recently purchased a DSi (black) and wanted to begin to put some of my music on it, but after reading so many threads here with other users wanting to find out the best way to convert their MP3 music to the needed AAC (.m4a) file format and seeing all the excellent suggestions on how to do it, I thought perhaps I should put this information into an easy to find thread where it hopefully might help others.
So after trying the different programs that you all have suggested, which I have fully tested with both a standard 2 GB SD Card and then with a SDHC 32 GB SD Card to make sure there are no problems and are guaranteed to work on both the DSi and Wii console.
And as long as the songs are not protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management), which is a technology that does not allow someone to make a duplicate copy of the song, hopefully you will not have any problems either.
iTunes
So I guess I will start out with the one that many (including myself) have repeatedly suggested and that is Apples "iTunes", a multipurpose program that you can download and use on your computer for free where you can buy songs, videos, movies and even TV shows, but best of all, you can use it to easily convert your MP3 songs into the correct AAC (.m4a) file format with just a click of your mouse.
And it has another very nice feature that makes converting and then transferring your songs to an SD Card even easier, is that when you download iTunes, it automatically places it's very own individual music folder onto your computer in your "Music" file location, and then automatically puts any and all songs it converts into that folder.
VLC Media Player
Now for another great choice as which program you might wish to try is the VLC Media Player, a relatively easy and free program to use, but it does not automatically place the converted song into your music folder till you "Browse" your computer files and then type out the name of the song and also add in the ".m4a" file extension.
But that added step shouldn't bother you, as this program is extremely fast at converting the songs, less then a second so do not blink and you might actually miss it, so it really is worth trying.
NCH Switch Sound File Converter
And while this next program does not create it's own folder either and is slightly slower, perhaps 4~ 5 seconds per song, the NCH Switch Sound File Converter (which is also completely free) is extremely easy to use and just a case of choosing your song, select which file format you wish (.m4a), where you want the converted song placed, then letting it do all the hard work.
But best of all with this program is the ability not to just convert individual songs, but an entire folder of your music, so that really does speed up the process.
Media Convert
And last but certainly not least as a really great way to convert songs is if you are in a hurry like I was to immediately try a song or two on your brand new DSi and do not want to wait to download a large audio file conversation program onto your computer, then try "Media Convert", a free online conversion website where you can upload any DRM free song you have and convert it into the proper .m4a format.
Though, there is one thing to consider with using this or any other online conversion website, since you do have to wait (hopefully patiently) during the time it takes to fully upload your song, then for them to convert it and finally for the site to download the song back onto your computer, this may take longer depending on your internet speed (especially your upload speed), so you might want to have a copy of the latest Nintendo Power close by.
So it might be the case that if you do have a slow internet speed, you just choose a few of your favourite songs, but don't worry, it doesn't take more then a couple of minutes per song, so you will not need an encyclopedia to pass the time.
And now after you have done converting your MP3 music with this or any other program, then it becomes just a case of heading back to the music folder where you will find the converted AAC files there, all ready and waiting for them to be copied to, or "dragged and dropped" onto your SD Card.
But if any of you do have problems, please feel free to either post on this thread, or on your very own thread and one of us will be able to help you make the music come alive on your DSi and Wii console too.
And for those who have found other programs that they have used and like even better then the ones I have listed, then you are more then welcome to post about your favourites here too.
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09-01-2009 09:34 AM
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Re: AAC Conversion Program Suggestions...
[ Edited ]
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 NOA_TECH_JAKE
Administrator
Posts: 983
Registered: 12-19-2007
Message 2 of 22
Viewed 3,966 times
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Great post, ONE-OF-THREE! I think your quick breakdown of programs used by Nintendo DSi owners for music file conversion is just what this board needed. In fact, I'd like to see more!!
For this thread, I would like to see you guys/gals post any programs you have found useful for file conversion. Of course, if a program has already been mentioned, I don't think it would be necessary to make a mention of it again. In order to build a comprehensive list of programs being used, I don't think we'll need numerous entries about the same program. Please try to post about programs that have not been mentioned already on this thread. We want to avoid being redundantly redundant, right? 
Also, it would be great if your recommendation is more involved than just, "I used a program called <insert name here> and it worked." Message Edited by NOA_TECH_JAKE on 09-02-2009 01:08 PM
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09-02-2009 12:07 PM
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Re: AAC Conversion Program Suggestions...
[ Edited ]
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DYNASTAR 619
Regular Contributor
Posts: 126
Registered: 05-17-2009
Message 3 of 22
Viewed 3,932 times
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Congratulations on you purchase, ONE-OF-THREE! I have had my Nintendo DSi System since midnight release and it has not disappointed with its fantastic performance! I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy it's amazing features! As for the post reply: ('Scuse me for getting a bit off topic :smileytongue As of January 4, 2009, iTunes has switched completely to providing only AAC format data. Any files downloaded before then are protected and cannot be converted to AAC format. If you must have a protected music file on your Nintendo DSi System, then I suggest going to a fully sponsored website for file downloading, download the file, and import the file to your library and then convert it. But I still suggest paying another $0.99 to redownload the music file, to prevent on any risks of any virusses or bugs from geting into your computer. Remember, most Music Files from a CD are protected, so keep that in mind. But I have found one program I find very useful. Switch Sound File Converter. It's a simple little program that doesnt take more the 500Mbs of hard disk space on your computer. This can input almost any format visa vesa. And unlike most programs, does not decrease the sound quality of your tracks either. But I only usually only use this program when I come into an mp3 format file that iTunes will not convert, But this does not obviously convert protected files. Hope this adds on to your Quest for the Perfect Program (Try Saying that 10 times fast :smileytounge. Please enjoy you DSi system 1/3! Dyna **UPDATE** Sorry, I didn't realize you already had Switch Sound File Converter on your list. But anyway, another advertissment. anyway, cheerio! ~Dynastar 619, a satisfied Nintendo customer Message Edited by DYNASTAR 619 on 09-02-2009 06:52 PM
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09-02-2009 03:47 PM
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Re: AAC Conversion Program Suggestions...
[ Edited ]
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SPLITLICKITY_89
User
Posts: 16
Registered: 10-03-2009
Message 6 of 22
Viewed 2,598 times
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hi, hello how are u doin??? well 1st of all im havin trouble converting my music to ACC it may be easy for u but to me this is so comlicating i read and i read, and i tried everything it jus seem to not be working  i must be doin somthing wrong, i followed a link that was given by u and i browsed my music file, i said my song was converted to ACC then i tried sync to my SD card and it dosent appear on my DS, a messages pops up sayin "CANNOT FIND ANY MUSIC (COMPATIBLE ACC FILES) ON THE SD CARD" i really dont know what to do and am gettin really frustrated with the whole thing i would greatly appreciate ur help, sincerly DSi owner ***Edited to remove personal information. Please do not share personal information on our Tech Support Forums.*** Message Edited by NOA_TECH_TROY on 10-04-2009 09:19 AM
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10-03-2009 04:41 PM
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Re: AAC Conversion Program Suggestions...
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ONE-OF-THREE
Regular Contributor
Posts: 4628
Registered: 12-21-2007
Message 7 of 22
Viewed 2,593 times
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SPLITLICKITY_89 wrote:
hi, hello how are u doin??? well 1st of all im havin trouble converting my music to ACC it may be easy for u but to me this is so comlicating i read and i read, and i tried everything it jus seem to not be working i must be doin somthing wrong, i followed a link that was given by u and i browsed my music file, i said my song was converted to ACC then i tried sync to my SD card and it dosent appear on my DS, a messages pops up sayin "CANNOT FIND ANY MUSIC (COMPATIBLE ACC FILES) ON THE SD CARD" i really dont know what to do and am gettin really frustrated with the whole thing i would greatly appreciate ur help, sincerly DSi owner *removed personal information*
Which program did you use to convert your music to AAC?
If it was one that gave you a choice of music files, then try converting your music over to the ".m4a" version and that should allow your DSi to find and play your music.
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10-03-2009 04:51 PM
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Re: AAC Conversion Program Suggestions...
[ Edited ]
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ONE-OF-THREE
Regular Contributor
Posts: 4628
Registered: 12-21-2007
Message 10 of 22
Viewed 2,566 times
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SPLITLICKITY_89 wrote:
WELL ONE OF 3 TO BE HONEST, IM NEW TO ALL THIS, AND I DONT REALLY KNOW WHERE TO BEGAN IT KINDA DIFFICULT UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO IT ALL, HOW TO CONVERT, I MEAN I KNOW HOW TO SYNC TO MY SD CARD JUS DONT KNOW HOW TO GET THE SONG AFTER IT IS CONVERTED, AND HOW WILL I KNOW THE SONG IS CONVERTED OR NOT, IM REALLY CONFUSED PLZ HELP, MUST I DOWNLOAD SOME SOFTWARE OR IDK I GOT WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER IS THAT NOT GOOD??PLZ HELP
Splitlickity_89 also posted this question among others on this thread, but I am also going to post the information here just in case someone else has the same problem with the NCH Switch Sound File Converter program.
You do not need to "sync" your SD card, as when you insert it into your computer, your computer should automatically recognize it and a pop-up should appear asking you if you wish to open the card's files?
Click on the message to open your card's files and you will be given a selection of "Pictures" and "Music", click on the music and an empty folder will appear on your computer screen.
Ignore it for a minute, as you will need to head into your computer files and find your music folder where the previously converted music is now stored.
Then it becomes just a case of "dragging and dropping" your songs from your computer music folder onto your SD card's music folder and your computer will automatically make a copy onto the SD card.
Now to convert your music from MP3 to the proper AAC file format, click on the "Output Format" and scroll with your computer mouse till the ".m4a" is highlighted as shown in the above picture and then click on "Convert" and the program will convert your song into the correct format.
Now to make sure you can find your converted music, on the Switch Sound File Converter program, look for the "Output Folder" and then click on the "Browse" option, this will allow you to search on your computer for your computer's music folder and then any converted songs will automatically be moved to that folder.Message Edited by ONE-OF-THREE on 10-03-2009 09:28 PM
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10-03-2009 06:25 PM
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