Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

Well, that makes sense to me. I don't know why Media Player plays the AMR file (which I gave a .amr extension to) when I double-click the filename in File Manager.

But it does. :-)

For your instinctive response and for tackling the issue a second time, I thank you.

I'm happy to follow your advice, but what you mean by "media player amr support" isn't clear to me.

I previously installed the libraries you pointed to (in /usr/lib) and the mplayer-amr files (made executable and put in /usr/bin).

The second download you reference:

http://rapidshare.com/files/106591605/amr.tar.gz.html

looks to be different from the file with the libraries so I'll follow your instructions. If you mean something different by "media player amr support" please advise me.


Sounds good to me.

I'll report back whatever I learn.

Thanks again,

Roger

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

Ah! I thought you were using the awb extension which the files of the nokia site come in.

:)

I mean the file of rapidshare :) . Sorry for being confusing.
Sounds right :)
That is the media player amr support as you said :)
If you install the "media player amr support" which is the file from rs., you should have no problems with awb files in the media player.
Best Regards and hope you get it fully working :) btw my replies are slow to make as I am on tablet :(/:) :p

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

@RogerS

I know what's wrong! Media Player already supports amr and awb out of the box! I just saw my testing files on a clean reflash. That means my package isn't needed, off to edit my post and sorry for doubting you, nokia.

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

It has always seemed to me that Audible is vehemently anti-Linux. It also seemed to me after being their loyal customer for six years that they were one of the least responsive companies I have ever dealt with.

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

I wonder what the future holds for Audible now that they have been bought by Amazon. They will probably change their format to something that will only play on a Kindle.

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

I guess I wasn't paying attention here. The file indeed came with a .awb extension and I left it that way when I shortened the rest of the name.

But I guess the big news is the responsiveness this issue showed:

Not only did you modify two programs immediately on learning of the request, but Nokia managed to implement the fix before I asked for it.

You couldn't ask for more than that, I think. :-)

Roger

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

Audible .aa files are wrapped in DRM so they are not about to let it play on just any old handheld device, especially those that are linux based.

However, you can convert the Audible .aa files to .mp3 and listen at will. I don't like Audible's policies, but they truly have the best audiobook collection on the web.

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

OK, I'm with you this far.

I've written Audible about this and also asked Audible who at Nokia could be contacted about it.

I don't follow you here.

Are you saying Audible provides a way to convert .aa files to .mp3?

Or are you saying there are plenty of legal apps that will convert them?

Or are you saying it's easy to get ahold of some app that will convert .aa files, although the DMCA may come into play for U.S. residents?

As my prior remarks make clear, I've been operating under the assumption that I wouldn't be able to play my own Audible files except on an Audible-licensed mp3 player and moreover that such license actually provides the mp3 player with the .aa codec and doesn't actually make an mp3 file.

If you can correct any false part(s) of that assumption, I'd be grateful.

Thanks,

Roger

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

There are apps that can convert .aa to .mp3, thus removing all the DRM, but depending on your residence they may or may not violate copyright or DMCA laws. Personally, I think it's pretty ridiculous that you are paying for those audiobooks, or anything with DRM, as if you are buying it, but you are only renting it. Just my two cents.

Re: Nokia Audiobooks: what we need to hear
 

Audible allows you to burn your files to CD. This removes the DRM. You can then do what you like with them. It is not necessary to burn them to actual physical cd's. Just set up virtual drives and burn to them. It is time consuming, but it works.