PC to Mac conversion of media files

[crazyhorse634]

I finally got my iBook!!!!! Yaaay, unfortunately, I need to transfer my files, Music (media player), and files (word) from a dial up Dell to my spiffy iBook. Is there an easy way to do this? @ my local mac store, the guys said to lug the pc to my dorm, set it up on wirless, and transfer that way. Hmmm... sounds complicated.

Also, how can I copy files from CD's and DVD's onto my iBook. I can't seem to find a way to copy them in a way that my comp w/ itunes and idvd can play them.

I really would like my swing songs on this comp, b/c that would make it beyond spectacular!

 

[Verto]

I finally got my iBook!!!!! Yaaay, unfortunately, I need to transfer my files, Music (media player), and files (word) from a dial up Dell to my spiffy iBook. Is there an easy way to do this? @ my local mac store, the guys said to lug the pc to my dorm, set it up on wirless, and transfer that way. Hmmm... sounds complicated.

Also, how can I copy files from CD's and DVD's onto my iBook. I can't seem to find a way to copy them in a way that my comp w/ itunes and idvd can play them.

I really would like my swing songs on this comp, b/c that would make it beyond spectacular!

Well, when I bought my iMac, I connected it to my wireless network and transfered my music collection from my HP that way. How many GB/MB are you wanting to transfer over? You could possibly burn them from your Dell onto a CD, and transfer it that way if the two computers are not near each other. And I don't understand what you mean, copying from CD to your iBook? You should be able to simply drag them onto your desktop, or any other folder on your hard drive?

 

[crazyhorse634]

Well, when I bought my iMac, I connected it to my wireless network and transfered my music collection from my HP that way. How many GB/MB are you wanting to transfer over? You could possibly burn them from your Dell onto a CD, and transfer it that way if the two computers are not near each other. And I don't understand what you mean, copying from CD to your iBook? You should be able to simply drag them onto your desktop, or any other folder on your hard drive?

I am trying to back up my music cd's and dvd's to my computer, but I don't know how to save them.

 

[wrc fan]

To extract DVDs to your hard drive you'll need a program like MacTheRipper. You can search for it on MacUpdate. You then play them with DVD Player (not iDVD).

For audio CDs, if you want them in mp3 or aac use iTunes, just insert the CD, and when it pops up in iTunes hit the encode button on the upper right. If you don't want to compress them, do as Verto suggested and just drag and drop the files from the CD onto your hard drive. There's really nothing to it.

 

[spinne1]

I finally got my iBook!!!!! Yaaay, unfortunately, I need to transfer my files, Music (media player), and files (word) from a dial up Dell to my spiffy iBook. Is there an easy way to do this? @ my local mac store, the guys said to lug the pc to my dorm, set it up on wirless, and transfer that way. Hmmm... sounds complicated.

Also, how can I copy files from CD's and DVD's onto my iBook. I can't seem to find a way to copy them in a way that my comp w/ itunes and idvd can play them.

I really would like my swing songs on this comp, b/c that would make it beyond spectacular!

Well, to copy files from a CD, drag them to a folder as was just suggested. Then to play songs [for example], go to iTunes, go to the File menu and scroll down to Add to Library. Then find the songs you just dragged onto your hard drive (for easiness's sake, drag them to your iTunes Music folder), and select them (if there are multiple songs and they are separate from each other in the list view, to select them at the same time hold the Command (Apple) key while clicking each file you want to add) and hit "Choose" to add them to your library. Now they will play.

As for movies, iDVD is not a player, but a DVD creation program (I'm not saying it can't play movies, but you get my drift, right?). To play movies, try Quick Time Player (.mov, .mpg, and some .avi), or Windows Media Player 9 (for .wmv, or .asf), or VLC (.mov, .mpg, and most all .avi files).

 

[mad jew]

Burn your files on the PC onto a CD or a DVD and then insert that CD or DVD into the iBook and drag them off of it, and into whichever folder you want to keep them in.

For the music, I recommend copying the files directly into an open iTunes window where they can be looked after by iTunes and you won't have to worry about them unless they are WMA files (likely if WMP imported them from CDs on the Dell) in which case you will need to download EasyWMA to convert them to MP3s.

 

[SummerBreeze]

If you have an iPod, you can always enable disk mode and use it as a hard drive. This has always worked well for me.

Congratulations on your new iBook!

 

[Marky_Mark]

Well, to copy files from a CD, drag them to a folder as was just suggested. Then to play songs [for example], go to iTunes, go to the File menu and scroll down to Add to Library. Then find the songs you just dragged onto your hard drive (for easiness's sake, drag them to your iTunes Music folder), and select them...

I'm seriously considering moving from Windows to Mac as well, and wanted to know if this is the same process for retrieving music from a windows formatted ext HDD?

I back up my Itunes directory every coupla weeks, so have no probelem withhaving a copy to transfer. All the songs are in established itunes directories, having asked iTunes to manage my music on the PC, and all the songs are neatly stored in album directories etc.

Having not used a Mac since Sys 7.2 (!), where do the songs need to go, will they be instantly recognised, or will I have to go through an 'Add to Library' as discussed above?

One last thing (very off-topic, but hopefully a quick answer won't pee anyone off): do I need a firewall and anti-virus on a Mac or not, and what would people recommend?

Thanks very much for your help, I'm looking forward to be re-enveloped in the warm, inviting, safe folds of the Mac populace!

By the way, System 7 rocked! - I've only been using Windows because I had to - you know how it is.

 

[VanMac]

I'm seriously considering moving from Windows to Mac as well, and wanted to know if this is the same process for retrieving music from a windows formatted ext HDD?

I back up my Itunes directory every coupla weeks, so have no probelem withhaving a copy to transfer. All the songs are in established itunes directories, having asked iTunes to manage my music on the PC, and all the songs are neatly stored in album directories etc.

Having not used a Mac since Sys 7.2 (!), where do the songs need to go, will they be instantly recognised, or will I have to go through an 'Add to Library' as discussed above?

One last thing (very off-topic, but hopefully a quick answer won't pee anyone off): do I need a firewall and anti-virus on a Mac or not, and what would people recommend?

Thanks very much for your help, I'm looking forward to be re-enveloped in the warm, inviting, safe folds of the Mac populace!

By the way, System 7 rocked! - I've only been using Windows because I had to - you know how it is.

I just moved my iTunes library from PC to my new iBook. No Problemo.
I just created a folder where I want my music to live (dont like the default).
Copied the music into the directory on my iBook, told iTunes where I wanted it to look for music, and then just added to library. Done

 

[Marky_Mark]

Thanks VanMac, appreciate your help!