MP3s on the Kindle

dumky · 02-20-2008, 02:10 AM

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

HarryT · 02-20-2008, 05:46 AM

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

Nate the great · 02-20-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

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/sho...609#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.

Nate the great · 02-20-2008, 09:58 AM

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.

JSWolf · 02-20-2008, 10:32 AM

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?

Nate the great · 02-20-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

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.

lovebeta · 02-20-2008, 11:33 AM

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.

April Hamilton · 02-20-2008, 12:07 PM

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.

Nate the great · 02-20-2008, 12:21 PM

Let me try this again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

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.

DaleDe · 02-20-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

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

dumky · 02-20-2008, 01:34 PM

I emailed Amazon (which own Audible now):

Quote:

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?

Quote:

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.

Nate the great · 02-20-2008, 06:16 PM

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

stevenmoy · 02-20-2008, 06:41 PM

Hello,

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

Nate the great · 02-20-2008, 06:42 PM

I tried that. The mp3 was ignored.

stevenmoy · 02-20-2008, 09:56 PM

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.

02-20-2008, 02:10 AM	#1
dumky Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Tablet PC	MP3s on the Kindle 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

02-20-2008, 05:46 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 24,773 Karma: 43285 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Gen3, Opus, DR1000S, iPod Touch, Pocketbook 360, PRS-600, Kindle 2	The Kindle plays MP3 files, doesn't it? What problems are you having using those? __________________ Harry

02-20-2008, 10:32 AM	#5
JSWolf Mobile Reader Geek Posts: 17,388 Karma: 21146 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	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? __________________ Jon If you want to listen to really good music while you surf Mobileread, here.

02-20-2008, 12:07 PM	#8
April Hamilton Fully Caffeinated Posts: 21 Karma: 418 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: So. Cal. Device: Modified ePods	Looks Like It To Me, But... 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.

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02-20-2008, 09:58 AM	#4
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 8,208 Karma: 58191 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Airpanel 100, Jornada 720, Kindle, Smart Q7, Zelda has Sony 600 & 700	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.

02-20-2008, 11:33 AM	#7
lovebeta Groupie Posts: 175 Karma: 406 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle 2, Amazon Kindle, Sony PRS-505	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.

02-20-2008, 06:16 PM	#12
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 8,208 Karma: 58191 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Airpanel 100, Jornada 720, Kindle, Smart Q7, Zelda has Sony 600 & 700	I heard back from Audible. They won't let me do it, they won't do it for me.

02-20-2008, 06:41 PM	#13
stevenmoy Zealot Posts: 133 Karma: 348 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Kindle 2	Hello, Have you guys tried put a mp3 audiobook inside the Audible folder? I wonder if that is the feature you are looking for.

02-20-2008, 06:42 PM	#14
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 8,208 Karma: 58191 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Airpanel 100, Jornada 720, Kindle, Smart Q7, Zelda has Sony 600 & 700	I tried that. The mp3 was ignored.

02-20-2008, 09:56 PM	#15
stevenmoy Zealot Posts: 133 Karma: 348 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Kindle 2	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.

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