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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Converting Quicktime to MP3

plantsower - Apr 12, 2008 - 1:24 pm

Lately I have downloaded mp3s that immediately become Quicktime files. I want to put them on my iPod but don't know how to convert them or prevent them from going straight to the Quicktime. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Rita

earthsaver - Apr 12, 2008 - 4:24 pm

What do you mean the "become QuickTime files"? Is your association simply because QuickTime opens them by default? Can you open them in iTunes? Try dragging to iTunes or using iTunes' Add to Library (open) command. Easiest is to use iTunes to convert your files, if necessary.

- Ben

plantsower - Apr 13, 2008 - 12:12 am

Hi Ben:

Yes, they automatically open in Quicktime. What would I drag to iTunes, the original download link? Sorry, I'm new at this.

Rita

earthsaver - Apr 13, 2008 - 7:17 am

You would drag the downloaded files to iTunes from wherever files download. If you want them to become associated with iTunes by default instead of QuickTime, select one of them in the Finder, choose File > Get Info, and in the Open With section of the info window, choose iTunes from the popup menu. Then click Change All and confirm the dialog.

P.S. You can find your hard disk size by getting info on it the same as you did above. Select it and Get Info. You can also see more information about your Mac by selecting About This Mac from the Apple menu and then More Info, which opens the System Profiler utility.

plantsower - Apr 13, 2008 - 1:48 pm

Hi: Thanks for your response, but I still have questions.

First of all, the mp3 files just open into Quicktime, so there are no "files" to drag. I just get the whole screen open to start playing. What do I do with that?

I set iTunes to be my default music player but I still get mp3's in Quicktime mode. Here is an example of what I am trying to download: http://www.sleepphones.com/downloads

Please let me know if your computer downloads it into iTunes. If not, I need step-by-step instructions once it opens into Quicktime. What do I drag from the screen?

With your prior instructions, I tried dragging the link to iTunes. No dice. I'm sorry, but I can't make sense out of what you are saying. Going to the finder does not help. There is no Quicktime file to be seen. I wish you could be here standing over my shoulder to help me, but that's not possible. Sorry if I'm being a pain. It's hard without a visual. Once I get this, I will have it down for good. It's that darn learning curve!!

earthsaver - Apr 13, 2008 - 7:58 pm

Are you using Safari? When you click one of the links, the file starts playing in the browser window, right? Safari is using the QuickTime plugin. If you hold Option while clicking the link, you will force Safari to download the linked file. Then, if it doesn't automatically open in iTunes, you can go to your Downloads location and do so. You may also be able to click the popup menu on the right side of the QuickTime play bar and choose Save Source to save the file in the location of your desire.

plantsower - Apr 13, 2008 - 8:12 pm

Hi:

OK, now we're getting somewhere. Yes, I have Safari. I clicked option, and it is downloading to the download manager. Unfortunately, I have dialup, so it will take hours to download.

But, after it downloads I will try to drag it off to iTunes. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks for sticking with me.

Rita

plantsower - Apr 14, 2008 - 12:44 am

Hi Ben:

It worked!!! After it downloaded, I clicked on it, and it opened in iTunes. Was able to download it to my mp3 player. Thanks so much for your help. I hope it always works to do this option click thing. When I tried to click on the side of the Quicktime bar, the "Save Source" was grayed out so couldn't do it that way.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Rita

earthsaver - Apr 14, 2008 - 6:43 am

Save as Source requires that the whole file has loaded first, but this command may also be limited to QuickTime Pro. Glad you have a solution.