Sound Quality for WMA-to-MP3 Conversion

[gp123]

Unfortunately N7 will not play my "million" WMA-coded music files, and so I need to convert them to MP3 format.  Resulting audio quality (on N7) will depend on several factors (1) WMA bit rate, which is 64kbps and satisfactory to me, (2) MP3 decoder-player on N7, which is PlayPro with quality headphones, (3) the quality of my ears, which are 70+ years old.  Probably other factors as well.

I'd like to minimize file space on N7 but not lose much in the way of sound-quality  --- so what's your best guess  for my minimum MP3 bitrate   (Assume that my WMA-to MP3 does a reasonable job. and uses a fixed conversion rate). 

I'd appreciate your opinion.

[CBers]

Depending on your location, why not try GOOGLE MUSIC?

[gp123]

"Google Music" ??

Google Music Manager -- moves music files from PC to Cloud to N7

Google Play Music -- packaged with N7 and plays mp3 files

In either case I'd need to convert my wma library to mp3 format, since N7 does not recognize wma files (perhaps this is a MS payback thing ??).  Memory is not an issue (for the moment) but I'd like to minimize file size while preserving audio quality.

[S.Prime]

Have you tried WinAmp or PowerAmp which support the WMA format?

[gp123]

Tried them both -- did not work on N7.

Connected N7 to PC via USB and copied wma files into N7 Music folder.  Music player on N7 unable to find these files.

Worked just fine when copied filed were mp3 format.

[CBers]

VPLAYER and VLC (BETA version for Android) will play WMA audio files.

Just download some sample WMA files and copied to my N7 and they play fine.

Google Music & ES Music Player won't play them though.

[S.Prime]

I have verified as well that BSPlayer on Google Play Store Herewill play WMA files if they do not have DRM.

[gp123]

Very interesting!
I'll give VPlayer, VLC, and BC Player a try. for wma comparability on N7

I wonder why PowerAmp, WinAmp, PlayerPro all of whiich claim to play wma format would not work.  Perhaps I've configured N7 incorrectly. (Able to copy wma files into Music folder, but player could not find them.  Worked fine after files were converted to mp3)

[CBers]

Try opening the files you have copied to your Nexus 7 as AUDIO (long press a file and select audio) via a file explorer such as ES FILE EXPLORER or ASTRO FILE EXPLORER.

[S.Prime]

When I tested WinAmp on my Nexus 7 it would not play the WMA's, even when searching for the file as CBers, has suggested and selecting to open with WinAmp. Also WinAmp as you said claims to support WMA format. The one thing I did notice is that if the WMA has DRM (license) it will not play on the Nexus 7.

[gp123]

CBers -- Not exactly sure what you are suggesting.

I've loaded several music folders, each containing many wma files, into the N7 "Music" folder.
I have ES on my N7 and can see the individual music files.  Long press on a file gives me several options, but none involving AUDIO. 

What next?

[S.Prime]

You may have disclosed the source of your problem, by saying that you copied folders and that the files under those folders are not recognized as music files. First off the Nexus 7 and many other newer Android devices only support MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) and no longer support UMS (USB Mass Storage). Without going into a long discussion on folder hierarchy support varies greatly when transferring from a PC to a device that only supports MTP, so you end up with corrupt transfers. Try this to see if it solves your problem, copy a "2 wma files" to the root of the music folder on your Nexus 7 and see if they will play. I am betting that they will.

[JayJ]

I always use Dropbox or Drive to transfer music to my N7, easier than working with MTP...

[gp123]

S.Prime --
I don't know much about the android file system but when I look at the contents of /sdcard/  (with ES File Explorer) I see an N7 "Music" folder -- and thats where I copied my folder of wma music filles as well as my folder of mp3 music files.  The mp3 files are recognized by my player and play just fine.  The wma files are not recognized by my player and do not play.

That said, where exactly are you suggesting I copy my wma folder/files to?   Since I'm new at this, specific instructions would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[S.Prime]

Do not copy the folder from your pc, instead copy individual wma music files to the music folder on the Nexus 7 and only start with one or two files to verify that it works. Remember, MTP works depending on various factors. I have always been successful copying individual files.