Would anyone know if it is possible to create an audiobook for the Kindle from a set of mp3s or some other audio files?
Is there any tool to do that? Was the Audible format deconstructed?

Thanks,
Julien
http://blog.monstuff.com

The Kindle plays MP3 files, doesn't it? What problems are you having using those?

The Kindle plays MP3 files, doesn't it? What problems are you having using those?

In the recent upgrade, the Kindle got a new menu screen for playing an audiobook. I haven't tried it, but it looks useful. Follow the link and look at the screenshot.

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=149609#post149609

@dumky
I don't listen to audiobooks or music, so I don't know the answer to your question. But I'll take a few minutes and do some searching.

What didn't work:

Audible.com had no information on converting from mp3 to AA format. The AudibleManager will not import an mp3 file. Sending an mp3 file to my Kindle as an attachment didn't work. Renaming the suffix from mp3 to AA didn't work, either.


What I'm still waiting on:

I sent an email to Audible asking for help on this issue.

From what it sounds like is that the Audiobook interface is just for Audble format audiobooks. But since the Kindle plays MP3 already, why do you need to convert the MP3 to Audible format?

From what it sounds like is that the Audiobook interface is just for Audble format audiobooks. But since the Kindle plays MP3 already, why do you need to convert the MP3 to Audible format?

The Kindle only has two mp3 player features: start and stop. Audible format has a menu, bookmarks, chapters, fast forward, jump, rewind. Unfortunately, you can't use the new menu with a mp3.

Interesting idea. I would like to know too.

From my google research, it seems that there are no solution yet. One work around for the ipod user is to convert mp3's to some m4b format, which is based on the aac codec.

However there are programs to dedrm the audible format. So ppl certainly knew something about the format.

According to the Kindle manual, the only commercial audiobook format supported is the one from Audible. However, it also says it can play MP3 files natively off an SD card, so I can't think of any reason why you couldn't record an audiobook into MP3 format, stick that sucker on an SD card and listen to it from the Kindle.

It seems to me that the only limitation on the length of the MP3 file would be the size of your SD card. I wonder though---presumably your idea is to create an audiobook that would be made available for Kindle owners to purchase? I mean, I can't imagine you'd record yourself reading a book aloud just for your own enjoyment later. Since Amazon has married the Kindle to Audible for audiobook content, I'm not sure where you'd find an outlet to sell your own, MP3 audiobooks. Interesting idea, though. :chinscratch:

Let me try this again.
The Kindle only has two mp3 player features: start and stop. Audible format has a menu, bookmarks, chapters, fast forward, jump, rewind. Unfortunately, you can't use the new menu with a mp3.

While I have only a limited number of audiobooks, I know a couple people who literally have gigabytes of audiobooks. Unfortunately, most are in mp3 format. The support for mp3 is minimal. Now that the Kindle provides good support for Audible.com, I think it's worth some effort to find a way to convert from mp3.

Let me try this again.


While I have only a limited number of audiobooks, I know a couple people who literally have gigabytes of audiobooks. Unfortunately, most are in mp3 format. The support for mp3 is minimal. Now that the Kindle provides good support for Audible.com, I think it's worth some effort to find a way to convert from mp3.

I think it would be better to get Amazon to offer better support for MP3. Even the audible menu has some problems in that you cannot read a book while listening to it. This is a feature desired by some users such as people trying to learn better English or to aid via impaired folks that just need a little help.

Dale

I emailed Amazon (which own Audible now):
Was there a decision on opening up the file format for Audible audiobooks? Will you publish a tool to compile mp3s into an AA file?

At this time, there isn't a software option to convert MP3's to Audible formats released by Amazon.com. This may, however, change at some point in the future. Naturally, we want to keep up with technology and customer suggestions at the same time to improve our customer experience.

I've passed your feedback along to the Kindle business team.

We will definitely keep your suggestions in mind as we continue to make Kindle a successful product.


@HarryT, @JSWolf: Nate nailed the issue. The mp3 player on the Kindle is super primitive (play/pause).

I'm eagerly waiting to see if Igorsk manages to put custom applications on the Kindle (java "booklets").
If he solves that problem, then I could write an alternative audiobook application (based on mp3s instead of audible files), if there is no way to convert from mp3 to audible.

I heard back from Audible. They won't let me do it, they won't do it for me.

Hello,

Have you guys tried put a mp3 audiobook inside the Audible folder? I wonder if that is the feature you are looking for.

I tried that. The mp3 was ignored.

Hello Nate,

I have just downloaded a file from npr podcast and put it inside the Audible directory and it shows up for me correctly in Home. One disoriented part is that I do not necessary expect the title of the podcast I download. I have a listing of 7 pages long and sorted my items alphabetically. I have to hunt down which page now include this new podcast.

Try rename your documents folder to something else for now via USB. It should make that mp3 Audiobook more obvious. Good luck.

... you cannot read a book while listening to it. This is a feature desired by some users such as people trying to learn better English or to aid via impaired folks that just need a little help.

Dale
I want that feature!

Well, now that's interesting. You're right. It works. Apparently my other mp3s are missing some tag that identifies them as audiobooks.


Explanation:
Steven discovered that an mp3 podcast will be recognized if placed in the audible folder. This is very good because you can use the new menu screen to play the podcast. The existing mp3 player is very limited.

Because Steven pointed me at NPR's podcasts, I figured out what you need to do to put a mp3 in the Audible folder on the Kindle. Here it is: The mp3 must have the ID3 tags correctly set in the metadata. That's it. It doesn't matter what the tags are.

My mp3s weren't working before. Some were professionally made, others I ripped using WMP. None were recognized. I don't know why.

Here is a quick and simple method to the tags. Download AudioShell (http://www.softpointer.com/AudioShell.htm). It's a plugin for Windows Explorer (might not work in Vista). After you install AudioShell, right click and view the properties of each mp3. You can even select all mp3s in a folder, and do a group property check. Select "AudioShell tag editor" from the menu bar. If you're looking at one mp3, you're done; close the properties window. If you are doing a group property check, checkmark one of the fields. You don't actually have to change anything. Now close the window.

I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but this is quick and incredibly easy.

P.S. This may be a small feature, but I think it's cool. Plus, it's not in the manual.

[Deleted -- not accurate]

Now I fully got Steven's question. How can we stack multiple tracks for the same book and add section support? I tried to group them in the same folder and it did not work. Kindle still listed them as separate tracks. So for now, you have to put a mega mp3 for each book you'd like to listen to. We should find if there are any tricks to add the section tag to mp3 files, just like what the ipod folks did with their m4b file.

Oh, by the way, I am still using 1.0 firmware, if that matters.

I don't think the genre tag matters. Mine are set to many different ones including "genre", "default genre", "book clip", "unspecified", as well as simply left blank. it doesn't seem to make a difference.

The mp3 must have the ID3 tags correctly set in the metadata. That's it. It doesn't matter what the tags are.
...

Here is a quick and simple method to the tags. Download AudioShell (http://www.softpointer.com/AudioShell.htm). It's a plugin for Windows Explorer (might not work in Vista). After
You are right, any tag works. But it seems that it requires some version of ID3 tag -- I am not a expert here. All my audio books had id3 tag and they were not recognized by kindle until I did some arbitrary modifications in the tag.

Oh, BTW, I just used the built-in tagging function of windows xp and it worked.

Hello,

Is it possible for you to post one of the non-working mp3?

Thank you.

Hello,

Is it possible for you to post one of the non-working mp3?

Thank you.

Please remember that you must not post copyrighted material here.

Thanks,

[Moderator]

If you make a giant mega-mp3 for a book, will the Kindle remember where you are like when you listen to Audible books? I don't have my kindle yet, so I can't try.

Shawn

Yes, it does.

Can an MP3 file in the Audible folder also be bookmarked like an Audible file?

I heard back from Audible. They won't let me do it, they won't do it for me.

Bummer, I was hoping they would have more ideas for integrating the Kindle. Maybe we should hassle Amazon for a software revision with some real audiobook features.

The kindle plays mp3? I didn't know that. Cool!

Yes, it's under the "Experimental" section of the Kindle main menu.

You can also download podcasts from your Itunes software and by right clicking your podcast you see convert ID3 or convert to AAC which i think can be played as a MP3? Not sure how it all works but will play with later when I get back home.

-------------------
Later that day: Well, I wasn't able to figure out how to change out podcast downloaded by Itunes, so went straight to the "horse", NPR web site and downloaded the MP3 podcast. I had already downloaded the audio shell so when I looked at properties, it looked right! Loaded it on the Kindle in both audio and music just to see if it played ok and it works fine in both folders. Deleted the one in music folder and now it showing on the home page as an audio. Cool!