How to transfer wma-protected audiobooks to a MP3 player

This is a handy tutorial for copying your audiobooks files to a portable media player such those as made by Creative, iRiver, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Arcos, Philips, Rio or Sandisk.

The Process works differently for iPod so if you have one of those devices please watch our video we put together for iPod users. If you have another player this tutorial is the right one.

As a means of avoiding piracy each audiobook file you purchase is encoded with special protections to help to ensure that it is only available to you.

Your computer will download a special license so that you are able to listen to it.

With taking your audiobook with you on a MP3 player keep in mind that your player will need the ability to play DRM-protected WMA files.

Most of the major brands now support these files.

If the player carries the Microsoft playforsure logo then you are good to go. You can browse a comprehensive list of supportive players there.

Let me start by telling that the Windows in 2000/XP is not a viable option for copying your files because it doesn’t support the DRM technology.

The file would copy but won’t actually play on your player.

You have 2 choices for copying.

1. The software which came with your device
2. Windows Media Player

Let’s choose the latter as it’s found on all computers purchased in the last 6 years and it is also quick and easy to use.

Before you can move your audiobook files to your device you must open you audiobooks at least once on your computer to authenticate the licence.

This effectively licences the audiobook to you and give you the permission to move it to your MP3-Player.

It’s easy just enter your email and your password. Once it confirms that it opens successfully close the file again. You needn’t listen the whole way through.

Additionally, if the audiobook is split in multiple files you just only need to open the first one.

1. Now the first step is to locate the downloaded files on your hard drive.
2. Select all the files you want to synchronize. Hold on the ctrl-Key to select multiple files at once.
3. Then, making sure your device is attached to your computer just right click and use “Add to Sync List”.
4. Windows Media Player launches automatically showing all files queued up for synchronization in your sync list.
5. The “Ready for synchronize” message should appear next to each track.
6. Then simply click the “Start Sync” Button to move the files to your player.
7. Once the files finished copying your files to your portable device you can unplug it and enjoy your new audiobook files wherever you go.

Now there are a handful of devices that won’t copy files using the Windows Media Player.

If you have one of these devices simply use the software which came with your device rather than Windows media Player and you should be fine.

Copying files to your portable device should work usually in a similar way, but we found that Windows Media Player quick and easy and it works fine with almost all players sold today.

The first time you transfer to digital players can seem a little daunting. Particularly, when you are not technically experienced. But if you follow the instructions you should be absolute fine.

It will become second nature.

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