[StrBean]

So I switched to OS X a year ago and have been happy ever since, until I decided to buy an iPod!

My wife wants an iPod, but audio books are probably going to be more important than audio CDs for both of us. I checked out www.audible.com but my local library has eBooks available for download for free, trouble is they're secure WMA format. Doing some surfing it appears all the various vedors that libraries are using (OverDrive, netLibrary, etc) use secure WMA.

I tried the burn an Audio CD and then re-rip it in iTunes trick but two problems come up:
1) The books are "checked" out and expire in 20 days, Windows Media player won't let me burn an audio CD even after I retrieve the license, or at least I couldn't figure out a way to get it too.
2) The eBook I checked out is 16 hours in length it appears only HighMAT audio format would allow me to fit the book on a CD, but I don't think Macs support HighMAT.

This seems like a serioius flaw if iPod users get locked out of the public library eBooks. The library websites all have links to Apple feedback because I guess Apple won't license is DRM and won't support secure WMA either.

Is there some work around I haven't tried yet? Is there another MP3 player that supports both Mac and secure WMA? I'm really dreading the though of using my Pentium III with Win2k, but it seems like I have no options.

[StrBean]

It appears I fixed my own problem. Bought a Rio Carbon, 6 GB for the price of a 4GB iPod mini, works with iTunes and lets me load secure WMA via my WinTel box.

[icruise]

Uh, good for you then. I listen to audiobooks on my iPod all the time, although most of them are ripped from CDs or converted from audio tapes.

[StrBean]

Originally Posted by Icruise

Uh, good for you then. I listen to audiobooks on my iPod all the time, although most of them are ripped from CDs or converted from audio tapes.

Yes ripping for CDs or buying books from iTMS works too, they main problem with the iPod was that it wouldn't work with audiobooks I downloaded free via the Santa Clara County Library website. I gather libraries hands are tied on the issue since Apple won't license it's DRM to them to use, so secure WMA is the only option for the libraries. Hopefully that gets fixed eventually and everyone can get access to such a good resource.

[Lancer409]

Rio went out of business. =(

Hope they'll still support the carbon for you.

[Randman]

Audible is worth the price. Two subscription plans for different budgets.