Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. It encompasses four codecs and several file types, but all you really need to know is that WMA is the format Windows uses for the audio part of your Windows Media files and for jobs like recording TV sound. These formats are widely compatible -- inside Windows, at least -- and they play on Windows Media Center, Media Player, and compatible apps, whether or not they're part of a video container. But it's different when you want to play a WMA clip on your MP3 player. For that you'll need a tool (preferably a free one) that can convert WMA files into MP3s quickly and easily enough that you will actually do so. Such as Free WMA to MP3 Converter from Jodix Technologies.
Free WMA to MP3 Converter opened in our 64-bit Windows 7 system with the Tip of the Day displaying the next thing we were going to mention about this app: it converts all the audio formats covered by the WMA designation: WMA, WMV, and ASF. You can turn the tool tips on and off, of course. "No nonsense" was the first thing that came to mind when we saw Free WMA to MP3 Converter's efficient layout, a square dialog with a main view displaying the program's Task List and a lower panel for Conversion Settings. The control suite is equally simple: Add Files, Remove, Edit, Start, Help, and About. With eight headings, the searchable, indexed Help file is more complex than the program! But "easy-to-use" doesn't mean "stripped-down" or lacking in settings; when you add files, the settings wizard appears. Starting with Input and Output directories and a file info display, it walked us through each step, including bit rate, sample rate, and channel mode, as well as a tag editor. We could add lots of files and convert them all in batches or individually by selecting or deselecting file check boxes.
We pressed Start. Free WMA to MP3 Converter finished quickly and asked us if we'd like to see the destination folder. We did. The converted files saved significant space and played normally in our usual MP3 player.
Free WMA to MP3 Converter - Convert WMA and WNV files to MP3 easily - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Jodix Technologies:
Free WMA to MP3 Converter can convert Windows Media files to MP3 files which can be played in MP3 Players. All Windows Media formats (*.wma, *.wmv, *.asf) are supported. The program is a freeware and does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.
Key features:
- It's clean and free, without any adware or spyware.
- It's stable and fast.
- Easy-to-use wizard-like user interface helps you setup converting process easily.
- It uses up-to-date and high quality libraries.
- ID3 Tag can be derived from the input files automatically.
- Batch Processing is supported, it can process an unlimited number of files at one time.
- Detailed HTML help file is included.
- The installing and uninstalling process is very easy.
More Products to Consider
-
Convert CDs to MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, FLAC formats, convert audio ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Burn the files and images on CD and DVD discs.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert M4A/AAC into MP3/WAV format.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Emulate up to 18 DVD/BD drives.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Create, edit, burn, mount, and encrypt CD, DVD, and BD image fi...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Mix, scratch, and remix MP3 or music videos live.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert DVD movies to all the popular video or audio formats wi...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Play video and audio files, convert to other file formats, burn...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Get fast and flexible digital-media playback with access to sma...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Cut desired parts from your MP3 files.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert WMA format audio files to MP3.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Rip CDs, convert audio files, and burn discs easily.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert WMA files to MP3 and extract audio from video to MP3 fo...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Burn CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert WAV files to MP3 format.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert and backup DVDs to AVI, DivX, iPod, iPhone, iPad, WMV, ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download YouTube videos and convert them into MP3 files.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert WMA files to MP3 and vice versa.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert audio files to MP3 or WAV formats.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Copy DVD to iPod, iPhone, 3GP, PSP, Zune, HD TV, AVI, Divx, Xvi...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert FLAC audio files to MP3.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert audio formats among MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, APE, ASF, WMV, ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Convert your MP3 files into WAV format.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download free mp3 music.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install
-
All versions:
2.9 starsout of 272 votes
-
Current version:
3.0 starsout of 103 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Works as needed"
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
Product worked just as you want it to. Have not used it many times, but it converted what I needed quickly and with no problems.
Cons
Haven't figured out how to make it keep the album information you enter for one file in an album to all the others - thought I had, but didn't. On installation, it installed a search engine and tool bar that I didn't want - even made the search engine the home page. Never saw anything during the installation about it and it was a pain to remove from multiple browsers. That is a real con in my opinion. The opt out should be very plain during the installation, and if it doesn't have one, wouldn't use it.
Summary
Other than the search engine mess, product works well and seems to do what I need.
-
"Worked for 3 files, then error kept popping up."
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
Easy to use when it worked.
Cons
Didn't work after 3 tries.
-
"Works like a dream"
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
I liked that you can add multiple files and the program sorts them into folders.
Cons
It would be good to give a warning that the converted files MUST be put into a folder separate from the original folder.
Summary
A very nice neat little converotr.
-
"Took me 30 seconds to figure out how the software works"
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
It does what it was described to do, I can't ask anything more than that. I am extremely happy with the results. I experimented with a 60 second voice recording--which took less than 10 seconds to convert from WMA to MP3!!! Cnet has proven itself, again.
Cons
The software will not find the file if you type in the file name. You need to go through click through each level to get to the file (ex. I saved my test file to the desktop--> File: Desktop: "one minute recording"). A minor con, nothing to complain about.
Con#2: mp3 files are larger than WMA files. WMA=60seconds recording=732 kb. MP3=60sec. rec.=1.3 MBSummary
A great piece of software--it will certainly be used.
-
"Easy peasy..."
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
This product was very easy to use and seems to have gotten the job done quite nicely for me.
Cons
I did not find any. But you must take into consideration my lack of education.
Summary
I am not tech savvy and am always concerned that I won't be able to comprehend the instructions. But this program was intuitive and super easy to follow. I recommend it to anyone for in a similar situation.There may be better out there, but this was spot on for me. Thanks CNET for the information !
-
"Didn't work for me with Win8-64"
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
None, it wouldn't even install. The setup process just keeps looping over the step where it's "Downloading Installation Files".
Cons
I can't say since I wasn't able to run it. I'm thinking that if I want to convert my 900+ music and other audio files from WMA to mp3, and not have do every folder manually, I'm going to have to wait until I want to spend a few bucks on a paid app because none of the free ones seem to have the capability. If I'd come here first I would have seen that it doesn't work in Windows 7, from which I could have assumed that Win8 would also be a no-go.
Summary
Lesson learned: Always check CNET before trying out free stuff.
-
"Wouldn't even recognize the folders that contained WMAs"
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
Seriously?
Cons
Just what the summary said. Not much more to it, really. I have a hard drive full of WMAs ripped from my 500+ CD collection and the only folders the program would find were the recently-ripped MP3 folders. Oh, and being able to batch-process large numbers of files is essential; I don't want to have to manually open each and every album's folder, and I don't keep all 5,000+ of my WMAs in the same folder for obvious reasons.
Summary
The software might be free, but free alone is not a reason to download it. It needs to be useful as well.
-
"Complete Failure"
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
None at all.
Cons
Refuses to convert my WMA files. Error message states I need to upgrade to DirectX 8.1 or later and Media Player 7 or newer, but I'm using DirectX 11 and Media Player 12.
Summary
Don't bother with this waste of time.
-
"Hassle-free, worked like a charm."
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
Small, easy to use, relatively fast, and converts the annoying WMA format to more versatile mp3s
Cons
As noted by other reviewers, does not import all tagging- however it does provide the option to add the info manually before it begins converting!
Summary
I think the reviewers saying it doesn't work or that it "hijacked their home page" must have had problems following simple instructions. Sounds like user error to me.
I wanted this software to perform one task, and it succeeded admirably. VERY simple user interface, fairly quick conversion, user-friendly....I give it 4.5 stars. If it didn't require some (simple) re-tagging afterwards I would give it 5 stars. -
"It seems to work. Overall, good prduct"
Version: Free WMA to MP3 Converter 1.16
Pros
No big learning curve and works pretty much automatically.
Cons
Out of the box it seems to work well but I wish it would make all selected files more equal in level. I work at a college radio station and I don't want to ride the gain control on the board to keep the levels consistent.
