How to Convert a Windows Media Audio File

iPods cannot play WMA files.

Windows Media Audio (WMA) is Microsoft’s proprietary audio data compression technology. It is the default technology used by Window Media Player in burning audio tracks from compact discs. Some MP3 players, including iPods, cannot read WMA files. If your MP3 player does not recognize your WMA files, you will need to convert them into a readable format. A free audio converter from download.com or ffmpegx.com allows you to convert WMA files using a PC or Mac.

Instructions

Steps for Converting a Windows Media Audio File

1. Download a free, safe audio conversion program. PC users, download software from http://download.cnet.com/Free-Mp3-Wma-Converter/3000-2140_4-10442362.html and move to Step 2. Mac users, download software from http://www.ffmpegx.com/download.html and move to Step 7.

2. 

   PC users, click “download now” and follow the prompts to install free audio conversion software from download.com.

3. Open the converter program. Click “File” and select “Add Files.” Choose the WMA files you wish to convert and click “OK.” Add as many files as you want.

4. Under “Output Configuration,” choose where you want the files to be saved under the “Output Path.”

5. Choose the “Output Format” that you wish to convert your WMA files. MP3 is the default option and works for most MP3 players.

6. Click “Convert.”

7. 

   Mac users, follow the prompts to download the version of ffmpegx that corresponds to your operating system. Download the “binaries” on the page if you are installing the program for the first time.

8. Open the ffmpegx program. Click the “Save As” box to choose where you would like to save your file.

9. Drag the WMA file you want to convert into the “From” box.

10. Click on the “To” box arrow and scroll down to the audio format into which you wish to convert your WMA file.

11. Click “Encode.”

Tips & Warnings

• You may drag your WMA files for conversion into the free converter from download.com.

• Increase your sound quality in the download.com audio converter by increasing the “Format Parameter” Kbps. The higher the Kbps, the higher the sound quality.

• Mac users should save the “Binaries” in the same folder as the ffmpegx program to keep all program components together.

• Burning compact discs directly into your preferred format will reduce loss in sound quality that can occur when converting standard WMA files. More advanced “WMA Lossless” files will not lose sound quality if you convert to another “lossless” file like MPEG-4.

• Standard WMA files utilize lossy compression, and you will lose some sound quality each time you convert a WMA file to another type of lossy file: a standard MP3 format, for example.

References

• ffmpegx homepage

Resources

• WMA converter for PC
• WMA converter for Mac