M4P and MP3 File Formats

M4P is the Protected AAC File. AAC is the audio layer from the follow-on format to MP3. MP4 files encrypted by FairPlay DRM as sold through Tunes Store use .m4p extension. M4P is for the DRM protected content in iTunes Store, while m4a is for the DRM-free, unprotected content.

An MP3 file that is created using the mid-range bitrate setting of 128 kbit/s will result in a file that is typically about 1/10th the size of the CD file created from the original audio source. An MP3 file can also be constructed at higher or lower bitrates, with higher or lower resulting quality. The compression works by reducing accuracy of certain parts of sound that are deemed beyond the auditory resolution ability of most people.

The MP3 data is the actual audio payload. The diagram shows that the MP3 header consists of a sync word, which is used to identify the beginning of a valid frame. This is followed by a bit indicating that this is the MPEG standard and two bits that indicate that layer 3 is used; hence MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 or MP3. After this, the values will differ, depending on the MP3 file. ISO/IEC 11172-3 defines the range of values for each section of the header along with the specification of the header. Most MP3 files today contain ID3 metadata, which precedes or follows the MP3 frames; this is also shown in the diagram.

Despite the popularity of MP3, online music retailers often use other proprietary formats that are encrypted (known as Digital rights management) to prevent users from using purchased music in ways not specifically authorized by the record companies.

Using NoteBurner M4P to MP3 Converter

NoteBurner's big advantage is that once you have set it up you can use your favorite media player (iTunes, Realplayer, Winamp, Windows Media Player etc.) to queue the music up for conversion. When using your media player all you have to do is configure it to use the virtual CD burner rather than the physical one that is installed inside your computer. Output Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, WMA Pro, WMA Lossless.

If you have lots of music, you might need a big pile of CDs to convert everything with the "burn and rip" method above. That's where software can help. A "virtual CD drive" such as NoteBurner can simulate a real CD burner, eliminating the need for real CD-R discs. The Windows operating system will treat the virtual drive just like a real one, so you can tell your CD burning software to access the virtual drive by it's own drive letter. Get NoteBurner M4P to MP3 downloaded and enjoy your free-DRM music!

System Requirements for using NoteBurner Audio Converter

The basic requirements for NoteBurner is that you have the ability to burn your purchased music or audio files to a normal CD-R disc on iTunes, Windows Media Player, Real Player or Napster. If you cannot burn your purchased music files to a normal CD-R disc, NoteBurner cannot help you convert any music files. NoteBurner M4P Converter converts any M4P, M4a, WMA music or audio to MP3, WAV, WMA with the following basic requirements:

* 32- bit Windows XP, Vista or Mac OS X
* 256 megabytes (MB) or higher of RAM
* 1GB of available hard disc drive space or more
* Monitor with 1024x768 pixels or higher resolution
* Media player such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, etc
* DRM music license (if you want to convert protected music)