Can't convert MP4 to AIFF
 

I am working on a project for a customer and they want a specific song for their video. I downloaded the song in iTunes. I'm aware of the current copyright protection laws. I also know there has been extensive debate on the issue of using copyrighted music in video. In most cases, I only use royalty free music. But in this case, I am doing this video free of charge so I don't feel I am out of bounds to use the music and it is something the client would really like.

Anywho, I would like to avoid that debate and get a few tips on how I can convert the music track to AIFF. Obviously, iTunes would be easiest but won't allow me to do it. I used to import the file into iMovie and then save as a quicktime file but that no longer works either. Whenever I try to import to iMovie I get an "unkown error". I have also heard you can burn the song onto a CDR and then re-import. I have tried that as well and it did not work. The rights protection was still attached.

Does anyone else know any other options? Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Did you burn the cd as an audio cd or just data? You need to burn as an audio cd then re-import it.

Hmmm... I'm not sure. I dragged the song from my desktop to the folder, then hit burn. How do I designate to burn as audio or data?

try this, I use this and love it.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/mo...6284&vid=59528

Wow, this seems like a perfect solution. I read some of the comments. Any issues with ads popping up or programs crashing? I'm going to download it when I get home. Thanks!

For me it crashes when i am done, but I am on an Intel Mac and I dont think it is Universal yet. I have been using that program for years and swear by it.

Yes you would have created a file on the disc and not an audio cd.
you need to create a playlist in itunes and drag the song to it and burn for an audio cd that can be played in a cd player.

Yes, that makes perfect sense. Thanks.

I noticed that freeware aiff converter states it converts to 44 K ... is there a way to change that? That is not really a video compliant rate .. your audio rate in Final Cut, say, should match the audio of the video in your sequence ... either 32 or 48 K. I would imagine that that holds true for iMovie as well.

Can't you just right click a file in iTunes and select... convert to aiff?

Preferences set what the default "convert to ***" is.

Victor, don't care about 44K, Final Cut accepts it, no problem. You won't hear any difference since you are converting an (usually) ill rotten MP3 or MP4.

That's how I convert my MP3's and AIFF etc.

I don't really care if you want to debate it or not,
Or could care less if you are getting paid for the project or not.

Stealing is Stealing!

And by posting that... "I'm aware of the current copyright protection laws"..
Tells me that you are well aware of what you are doing!

Maybe a $50,000 Fine will teach you a lesson!

Are you serious? Relax captain RIAA.

OK David, since you insist: tell me what I am doing wrong and how I have "stolen" anything. I am doing a video as a favor for a friend. I am not charging nor using it as promotional material. I BOUGHT the song on iTunes and downloaded it legally. This is for a friend who wants to remember the first year of his child's life. It will only be used for private in-home use and will not be duplicated in any way. I am only making one copy of the video for my friend to watch at home with his wife. What am I doing that is illegal? Because I am a "professional" I cannot make a video for a friend? I am not "benefiting" from this video in any way and the artist is not out any money, since I bought the song and am not duplicating it. iTunes allows you to transfer your music to up to five machines. I just happen to be transferring to a media that also includes video. All of a sudden that is out of bounds? What if I made the video without sound and my buddy just played the song off his iTunes list while watching it? Does that make it legal? Everything I have researched leads me to believe I am fully within my rights.

As long as I can use your finished video files to make a show for my friend (of course I won't get paid or sell the video in any way).
I mean, just because you took your time and money to make the files, doesn't mean that I shouldn't just be able to use it as I want to!
Kind of different, as you haven't put your files up for sale... but just trying to be devil's advocate a little...

I'm not sure what you're saying. Can you clarify? Remember, I bought this song off iTunes. I paid the artist (or rather the record company) for their song. I didn't rip it off... and I am using the song I paid for in a legal way. I don't get it...

I have been dealing with copyright issues for 30 years.
And can tell you flat out you are in the wrong!
The use of said music in combination with visual images, "Synchronization" is not covered by the license for said music under the U.S. copyright act.
If you wish to use said music for purposes other then specified in the licensing agreement, you must negotiate with the copyright holder of said music for a Sync license.

You cant use DRM restricted music purchased from iTunes in any of the following software.
Final Cut Studio (does notmatter what version)
iMovie
iDVD
Toast

You will have to burn a CD from iTunes, then re-rip it into the format you need.


and my opinion on the whole "copyright" argument. I dont care. If your making a montage, wedding dvd, mitzvah, etc use whatever songs you want. I would love to see the big bad record companies come after me for using Gnarls Barkley for some kids mitzvah highlights video. I am tired of DRM, I am tired of Sony and their shit, I am tired of the RIAA/ MPAA, and all of those stupid big bucks companies screwing us in the long run.

Yes I have invested in Digital Stacks, and other forms of "Copyright" free music to use, however, if some parent wants a montage with X artist, I do it.

No point in coming back and telling me about rules, regulations, fees, fines, etc. I am set in my ways and nothing anyone tells me will change my mind.

Is it possible to email the company who recorded the song? I just made a family video of my 5 siblings impersonating "Delirious". I took the audio off of their DVD, shot video 3 times thru on a Z1U, edited it on my MacBook Pro 17 in. with FCP and ran the 3 shots as a multiclip.

Because of copyrights we emailed the company(Furious Records), got a reply and said, "As long as we are using it for PRIVATE use only, not selling, or distributing it in ANY way, it was okay to use their music.

After hearing about it, they want a copy and we are sending it over to Engand to them in the next week.

This matter is an EXTREMELY touchy issue and one that is hard to judge(one that I will NOT judge). Look at how the artist would want the matter to be held.

Joseph

Did I mention I was only 16? haa ha

I shot my best friends wedding a month ago. He had a band that played his new wifes favorite song during the wedding Dance. The song was a U2 song, the band playing it was not U2 but a cover band. When I finished the edit of wedding I mixed the audio which included the footage of the dance and the band. I had the U2 album that the song was on, and decide after 30 seconds or so to fade the live band out and the origonal U2 song in, then faded the song out. I did not get paid for this gig. It was a present for him and his new family. My best friend is an IP lawyer. The only thing he said was that the DVD brought tears to his grandmother, who couldn't make it to the wedding.

And this is how apple suggest we can use iMovie and iTunes:

Check the iTunes Music Store for ideas
Look in the iTunes Essentials section of the iTunes Music Store to find a nice variety of musical styles and genres. If you know you want a song that contains certain words, try an Advanced Search of the Music Store to see what new ideas for music you can come up with.
Drag songs directly from iTunes
Rather than accessing your music from the iLife Media Browser in iMovie, you can search your music library right in iTunes to find just the song you’re looking for, and then drag it your movie project’s timeline.

Content from:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/imovie/im3-3.html

You bought the right to listen to the track, not to use it in sync with video for someone else- two different rights that need to be paid to the copyright holder.
For those that do wedding videos, would you be OK if one of your clients ripped a copy of your final video for their family (and not pay you for a copy)?
Photogs, same with the wedding pics?
The artist who wrote the song you use holds the 'negative' to that song. If you want to use it for something other than what you are licensed to use it for, you need to pay again.
Then there's fair use...

I know people copy my wedding videos for their famlies. I sell only four dvd's per wedding package. I get paid to shoot edit and make 4 dvds what they choose to do with them is up to them.

I only use roalty free music or my own music (that of which i have created) if it is a paid job. For family and freinds I bend the rules to what they would want. They also know not to let it fly off into the YouTube ether.

I have filmed many birthdays before, and of couse the 'happy birthday" is sung. Quote from wiki:

"Warner claims that unauthorized public performances of the song are technically illegal unless royalties are paid to them. It is unknown, but speculated upon who wrote the lyrics to "Happy Birthday to You."

So am I to film and switch the audio off at the moment when the cake comes out? Common sense must prevail here. Know your rights and no what is FAIR USE. Consult the local legal aid if in doubt as to the use of copyright.

OK, I understand what you are saying now. Sounds like that is the law but it just seems like utter insanity and completely unreasonable. I'm not purposely trying to break the law and may choose differently in the future. Why would Apple put out a program like iMovie and encourage the downloading and use of
copyrighted material from iTunes?

Because it's not a pro app... maybe... it's supposed to be used for personal use only? Dunno.

I mean really, does anyone really convert their files from AAC to AIFF solely to listen to them? In theory if the RIAA tried to sue you, you could thus Sue Apple for providing you the way to distribute music. B/c there is no reason for them to have the AIFF conversion in iTunes. I dont know anyone who converts all their music to listen to it in AIFF format. I'm not saying its right to use someone elses music, I'm not saying its wrong.
But really, if the RIAA was as big and bad as they said they were then they would sue the software companies that do this PLUS every wedding videographer would be out of a job.

did anyone here ever get bustd for doing waht we do? no... then end discussion

For those that do wedding videos, would you be OK if one of your clients ripped a copy of your final video for their family (and not pay you for a copy)?


(I know it's off subject but...)You can burn DVD's in such a way that the DVD's may not be copied, if you want to make sure nobody copies your content.

that question has already been asked and you know what, honestly... if they did make a copy, i wouldnt be surprised. its not hard to make copies and if they buy a copy from us, it only means they are not tech savvy at all, or they want the customized cover/dvd cover we make... and i wouldnt try to bust them for making their own copy... waste of my time.