How to Convert MP3 Files to MP4 Files

You can't always play MP3s on custom MP4 players, and you likewise can't always play MP4s on custom MP3 players. For example, many people have hard drives filled with MP3 music and audio files that are not supported by their iPod, PlayStation, or other custom MP4 players or compatible devices. As such, in order not to lose the ability to play those MP3s on their chosen portable media device, they need to be converted into MP4s.

The first thing you need in order to convert MP3s to MP4s is some sort of audio/video conversion software. There are lots of conversion software applications available for download on the internet, many of which are completely free.

When examining audio/video converters, be sure to select one that is compatible with your system and supports the type of file conversion you need. Some converters, for example, will only do MP3 to MP4, but not MP4 to MP3 (or vice-versa). Be sure also to examine your custom MP4 players or compatible media playing device to find out what type of MP4 format it requires.

If you're only interested in converting audio files, then a program that supports conversions to MP4a and/or MP4b but not MP4 will suffice. If videos, pictures, or other visual media are part of your files, however, then the converter (and media player) must support MP4 and/or MP4v. There is also the MP4p file format which refers to MP4 protected files. Most MP4 players, incidentally, will play all of these (while, of course, most MP3 players will likely play none of them).

Next, you need to download the MP4 codec and install it on your computer. A codec is a compression/decompression encoding program. Many media converters include this built-in within the application; however, converters do exist (especially many of the free ones) that don't have the MP4 codec included. If this is the case with the converter you've chosen, then you'll need to download the MP4 codec separately. You cannot perform a conversion without the proper codec on your machine.

Each media converter works slightly differently, with slightly different interfaces, etc. But they all operate on the same basic principles. Essentially, you select the files from your hard drive that you wish to convert, then indicate to the media conversion program what type of file format you'd like to convert them to, and finally initiate the conversion.

That's basically it. Occasionally, and depending on how advanced the conversion program you're using, you may be asked to select a bit rate or other specifications in addition to the desired output format (ie. MP4). In this case, you can refer to your MP4 players and the manuals that come with them to determine what specifications would be preferred.