[Blueshirt1]

I have previously purchased a lot of music through iTunes. At some point they would come across as .m4p files. (Now I believe when you purchase they are .m4a format which I read will not be an issue for the BDP).   Will I be able to play the protected ones through the BDP? If not, is there a way to convert them?  DB doesn't seem able to convert them.

Thanks

[srb]

The idea behind DRM was that you couldn't convert files to eliminate copy protection.  I'm not saying that there aren't any hacking type programs that could convert iTunes DRM protected .m4p files, but you aren't likely to find that capability in legitimate file programs.
 
Non-protected "iTunes Plus" songs were first introduced in 2007, and in 2009 the entire catalog was replaced with the iTunes Plus versions.  Purchasers could replace their older 128kbps DRM songs with with the iTunes Plus 256kbps non-protected versions for $0.30 per song.
 
Sometime recently, the iTunes Plus link disappeared from the iTunes Store and now the only option seems to be to subscribe to iTunes Match cloud service for $24.99 per year.  This allows your DRM files to be uploaded to the cloud, and then you can download the unprotected iTunes Plus version (.m4a) to your library if you first delete the protected version.  Once downloaded to your library, you have the new 256kbps non-protected version files, and you don't have to continue the yearly subscription if you don't want to further use the services.
 
Steve

[Blueshirt1]

Thanks!! I actually subscribe to iTunes Match so will try what you suggested.

[skunark]

Thanks!! I actually subscribe to iTunes Match so will try what you suggested.

You just need your iTunes account to redownload the purchased files.

[Stu Pitt]

Not sure if its still true, but a few years ago if you burned your iTunes tracks to a CD and copied them to your library, the DRM stuff was gone.  I've it a shot, just change a charecter in the tracks of the CD version so you know which is which.

If you don't have too many tracks, do this, make sure they work, then delete the iTunes DRM versions. 

[srb]

Not sure if its still true, but a few years ago if you burned your iTunes tracks to a CD and copied them to your library, the DRM stuff was gone.  I've it a shot, just change a charecter in the tracks of the CD version so you know which is which.

That still seems to be a viable workaround.  However, if you're already signed up with iTunes Match, might as well see if you can get potentially better sounding 256KB versions, if the corresponding songs are still available in the iTunes Store.
 
Steve

[skunark]

That still seems to be a viable workaround.  However, if you're already signed up with iTunes Match, might as well see if you can get potentially better sounding 256KB versions, if the corresponding songs are still available in the iTunes Store.
 
Steve

Steve,

You only need to sign up for iTunes match if you want to upgrade music you haven't purchased from Apple.   Any music you buy from Apple, past or present, you just need to re-download, click on the "purchased" in the store and shazam, it's there.    You do need to spend the $25/year if you want to launder your music.

Jim

[srb]

Jim,
 
I went to the Purchases folder and clicked on the link "Download Previous Purchases".  It showed the status as already "Downloaded", which makes sense.
 
I then deleted the song and removed the file from my iTunes Media folder.  Back in "Downloaded Previous Purchases", the file now was available for download.  I downloaded it and watched the progress bar as it downloaded.  But when I checked the song that was now back again in my library, it was still the same 128kbps Protected AAC version as the original.
 
Which also made sense to me, as just weeks (months?) ago they were charging $0.30 per song to upgrade to the new iTunes Plus 256kbps non-protected version.  For whatever reason the iTunes Plus $0.30/song upgrade offer is now gone from the store and has been replaced with the iTunes Match $24.99/year offer.
 
I could be missing something, but I don't think so.  I think the re-download mechanism will only get you what you originally bought, and if the original purchased files were the 128kbps Protected version, that's what you'll get again, not the upgraded iTunes Plus version.
 
Steve

[Blueshirt1]

iTunes Match worked like a charm. All of my music was loaded (matched) in the iCloud. Deleted the song from iTunes and the file from my computer then downloaded the 'matched' song from iCloud. Now all of my music is 256k.

Match is a hell of a better deal then paying $.30 x 4000 songs

Thanks again

[srb]

iTunes Match worked like a charm. All of my music was loaded (matched) in the iCloud. Deleted the song from iTunes and the file from my computer then downloaded the 'matched' song from iCloud. Now all of my music is 256k.

Match is a hell of a better deal then paying $.30 x 4000 songs

Good to hear.  I only have 27 older 128kbps Protected AAC files, so it's questionable if it's worth it for me.  In your case, iTunes Match gave you the 128kbps > 256kbps upgrade AND the ability to play them everywhere outside of iTunes for just ~ $.06 per song.  Not bad.
 
Sometimes I'm surprised how good some of the really sparse acoustic 128kbps files sound considering the amount of compression, but songs with a lot of instruments, complexity and energy fall apart.  The 256kbps file is usually just enough to get you over the hump.

On a side note, I just realized that those Protected AAC files do play in my (Windows) J. River Media Center, so the capability to play them does exist in some players other than iTunes.
 
Steve