# MP3 Question (Mods, not what you think) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 17, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112 "2003-03-17T21:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/1 "2003-03-17T21:55:31Z")
So I have a bunch of WMA files on my computer, ALL from CDs that I own, now I want to convert them over to MP3 so I can put them on a portable MP3 player (which I don’t have yet, recomendations?), but I don’t want to re-rip them all off CD. Is there an easy way to do this with Windows Media Player? Mods, I know that these questions are frowned on, but this is just a file conversion question, not about how to download copyrighted material. Please let someone help me! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/2 "2003-03-17T22:02:54Z")
dBpowerAMP Music Converter [http://www.dbpoweramp.com/](http://www.dbpoweramp.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/3 "2003-03-17T22:07:11Z")
If you don’t have Windows Media Player 9 or above installed, you’ll have to download the WMA codec: [http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-wma.htm](http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-wma.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/4 "2003-03-17T22:24:43Z")
Arrrrgh. Even if you have Win Media Playe 9, you’ll still need to download the WMA codec. It’s the Windows Media Audio v9 System Codecs you don’t need to download if you have WMP 9. Sorry for any confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/5 "2003-03-17T22:57:03Z")
Thanks, that works really well! I am surprised though that the MP3 files are bigger than the source WMA files, is that normal? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/6 "2003-03-17T23:02:46Z")
You’re welcome! I’ve heard that WMAs are smaller and more efficient, so I think what you’re seeing is normal. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/7 "2003-03-17T23:08:06Z")
Sweet, thanks again. To anyone else reading this now or in the future, the program **Revtim** linked to couldn’t be easier to use, and it will do other kinds of media conversions as well. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-question-mods-not-what-you-think/162112/8 "2003-03-17T23:50:23Z")
The software that came with my iRock MP3 player automatically converts several audio formats (including WMA) to MP3 when you select them and send them to the player.