[b]RmcZ[/B]
did u upgrade to gold?
If so coul give detailded steps on how to install the right patch

I'm using 5.08d as well. I haven't tried the Virtuosa method because I already had Winamp set up to do this anyway, and I didn't see a reason to change...

Dude, you need to chill out and quit sending me 18 PM's.

Basically you double click the .exe, hit next a bunch of times, select the folder that the Virtuosa.exe is installed in (C:\Program Files\Virtuosa) and then select another folder for the program to use to back up the .exe. Then hit OK and it should be done. I am not an expert on it so I don't really know the answer to any problems you might have on it.

There is another method for those who can't get an older version of Virtuosa or Winamp.

Our software CDMaster32 includes a free tutorial to convert copy protected WMAs from napster (or other services) into MP3s.

The trial download is fully functional so you can convert WMAs to MP3 with only a download. There is no 30second limit like other software (tunebite).

The only requirement is that your computer have a CD Burner.

If your interested in this method; you can check out our tutorial at:
http://www.zittware.com/Products/CDM...MA_to_MP3.html
or
http://www.copyprotectedwma.com

Hope this helps someone!

My 192kb files play just fine, which is why I wanted to know if I am missing something.

Oh boy... so you mean I can waste a recordable CD for all the WMAs I want to convert? I have seen you post elsewhere too. Please stop spamming your method which is completely useless.

I have seen other methods using Nero which don't require burning any CDs but just creating iso images and pulling mp3s out of that. Your method is probably the worst i've seen so far.

Yes 192kbps will work fine. The only issue is you have a larger file for no reason.

Hence, the origional napster wma files are encoded at 128kbps so if you decode those wmas then re-encode into a 192kbps mp3, then you have a larger file without the quality difference. So a napster wma converted into 128kbps or 192kbps would sound EXACTLY the same, just one would be a larger file. Because of this it makes more sense to just encode into 128kbps unless disk space isn't an issue.

This is not true. When you convert to MP3, you are re-encoding the file. LAME doesn't know that you're converting a WMA, it just treats it as an uncompressed audio source. The higher bitrate you use for the MP3s, the better they will sound. However, after a certain point, the difference will not be noticable.

Try this: Find a low-rate WMA, e.g. 32kbps. Encode it into MP3 at 32kbps. It will sound terrible. Now encode it into MP3 at 128bkps. It will sound much better.

Which oen are you using ZERO

128 or 192??

Neither, I'm using --alt-preset-standard which is VBR.

I'm using Tunebite, but my re-recorded files play much slower than the original. Anyone encounter this? Tunebite support is "working on it," but no soap so far.

OK I ahave PMd about a half dozen folks out there with the old V program. Share the burden and if others come seeking this method, give them a link using the same host as I did for you.

Does anyone know how to split a protected wma into small chuncks?
(to then be processed by win amp.

I have WMAs that are 7-10 hrs long that I am converting and the process would still go faster with V if the file size could stay low (<.7GB) of step one WAV conversion using V


I am using winamp 5.05, uninstalled 5.08, reinstalled 505. SLOW SLOW SLOW, but there anint another way for me until I get a protected WMA splitter.

Thank you guys for the help on the kb bitrate... I am doing over 10,000 files, so time is an issue (and it appears that the 192 ones covert faster than the 128 ones).. I will just have to take it on the chin on the file size I guess.

Can someone send me the URL to download the version of V that wasn't updated? Help much appreciated.

now we need a crack so that Virtuosa doesnt expire after 30 days...


ill start looking

http://www.crack.ms/cracks/crack.ms?id=1762733\

it works.

i cant get winamp to play the files, when i click on a file, it just shows "0.00" on the time and it goes to the next track and does the same thing.

now i cant get Virtuosa to rip the files

My Winamp/Output Stacker setup worked perfect until last night. Without ANY changes to the program, the same problem is occuring for me that is happening to Startariot above. I load my list and Winamp says "Opening Failed" on every track.

I have been (and am still using) Winamp 5.05 with Output Stacker in conjunction with out_lame162 so I can go from wma to mp3 (constant 256 bitrate although I suspect .wav conversion is occurring somewhere in this process). It was working flawlessly until today. All of the sudden I can’t play any protected WMA files in Winamp let alone rip them. Funny thing I notices is I can still play them (protected WMA’s) in WMP 10. Since I image my hard drive rather frequently I decided to go back in time a week and not allow myself to connect to the Internet after I re-imaged my PC. Low and behold it worked again then a few hours later I went ahead and let my PC connect to the Internet and this evening I can no longer play the files in Winamp. I am no means a network expert but if I had to guess WMP updated its DRM which is locking Winamp out. When I try to play any protected .wma file in Winamp it just goes right back to 00:00. A side note to mention is that you can use Snag-It to capture to .wav file but it is a slightly more crude method from stream ripping.
Maybe I am just seeing black helicopters or something but something fishy is going on.

Skid,
Your entitled to your opinion; ofcourse, but I don't agree with you.

1) I'm not SPAMMING anyone. I cater to each thread specific to the topic at hand. I also have posted in other threads without even mentioning the product. Feel free to point me to a TOS for this forum which specfically shows that I've been spamming. If you feel differently; please report my postings to a forum administrator. I'll abide by their wishes/judgement.

2) I posting a legitimate method which will always work (as long a microshaft continues to support buring CDs via WMP) and not require the user to manually enter the song information nor spend a lot of time trying to "hack" solutions together. Some may be perfectly happy spending hours trying to convert the songs at 1x speed. My method is as fast as your burner can run.

3) In the tutorial I highly recommend people use CD-RW media to avoid "waiting discs" as you claim.

4) I'm not sure the Nero / ISO method works. I intent to try it soon; but I just don't see how this bypasses any protection schemes microsoft has built in... If you have a link to a detailed, step by step tutorial on this method please pass it along.

5) So far; all the methods documented in this forum seem to be vague or require the use of some software which isn't freely available. My tutorial is detailed / step-by-step with screen shots ... and includes software that is readily available.

I do know that Winamp now has 5.08e which updated WMA drm rules on 2-22-05, but my version still says its 5.08c.

ive been reading this form for a while, does anyone know what to use to rip the copyprotected WMA files that actually WORKS??

that zitwire bullshit doesnt work

and winamp doesnt work anymore

ive tried Virtuosa but dont know how to use it

someone should add some screen shots (not for zitwire)

Yeah I just tried that CDMaster32 crap and it says it will only burn purchased protected downloads. What the hell good is that? The program you used to download with will do that. I wonder if I strip Winamp out of the system completely- re-install it but block it from connecting to the Internet. Anyone know what port Winamp talks on? I guess I should ask if Winamp can auto update itself.

I uninstalled winamp, removed any registry entries, reinstalled winamp and refused net connection and it still won't work.