Filed under: Features, How-tos, Tips and tricks, Troubleshooting, Ask TUAW
Ask TUAW: Windows Media Audio, VCDs, Finder keyboard navigation, and more.
This week's Ask TUAW takes us into questions about Windows Media Audio files, fast user switching, audio hijacking, converting VCDs and opening files in the Finder with keyboard. Remember new Mac users and Switchers who are enjoying our Mac 101 series should feel very welcome to post questions for Ask TUAW; we're happy to take questions from all levels. As always, please submit your questions by commenting to this post or using our tip form.Murray asks
I have a MacBook Pro w/ Intel 2.33 Ghz, Mac OS X 10.4.8, with Safari 2.0.4. Tried to listen to GameDay Audio on my new MacBook Pro. Tried again after downloading WMP for Mac, v. 9.0. Message came up saying Safari doesn't support or have that particular plug in. Says to try in WMP, which I do, which results in the WMP player loading then getting a simple message saying an error occurred. BTW, MLB.com tech support and/or customer service, NOT impressive despite her being nice. Anyone using a MacBook Pro and consistently getting on to GameDay Audio via another browser like Firefox or other software like Flip4mac which I know little about. OR Is Macintosh platform and GameDay audio simply not happening?
Nick asks
I am using an older Mac, a G4 Sawtooth, running Tiger, and haven't found an easy MacOS solution to my problem. I have a Samsung a930 cellphone which requires WMA's to listen to music (which is more convenient at work to listen to). I haven't been able to find an app to convert MP3's to WMA. There are plenty of applications that do the opposite, but not to create WMA's. The only way I can do it now, is burn a disc, open Virtual PC (which runs quite slow on my Mac) and import using Windows Media, and then upload to my MicroSD. Is there an easier way?
Okay, these go together because the answer to both is WMV Components from Flip4Mac. For Murray, the solution is easy and free. Microsoft has deprecated Windows Media Player for Mac and is distributing the Flip4Mac player for free here. Just download and install it and you should be able to stream Gameday Audio just fine (I do this personally all the time). You may want to go into the Flip4Mac preferences and select "Launch QuickTime Player" and your stream will play in a standalone QuickTime Player window instead of the browser window.
Nick, unfortunately, requires a paid version of Flip4Mac to do what he wants. Flip4Mac WMV Studio ($49) allows you to export to Windows Media Audio 9 Standard, and should presumably do what you need. Since I've never done this I'm not entirely sure about the complete process, but you might also very well need QuickTime Pro to export the files which will run you another $30 if you don't already have it.
Just for the record, there does seem to be a way to enable MP3 playback on the a930 but it is apparently a bit clunky.
Rabi asks
I am a recent switcher! How can I make my Login name appear on the Finder menu bar? I have seen a screenshot somewhere where the Login name was in the top right corner. Do I need multiple logins setup for that to appear. I have just one login right now.
What you've seen is fast user switching. To activate it you will need more than one account. To activate fast user switching just go into the Accounts Preference Pane in the System Preference and add and account, then click on the Login Options and you'll see the option to activate it. You can set the menubar to display the account Name, Short Name, or the account icon.
Graham asks
Is there a way to record audio directly off my powerbooks soundcard? I have tried recording sound from my speakers through the built in mic, but it just sounds bad...
There are two well regarded options for doing what you want: WireTap Pro ($19) from Ambrosia Software and Audio Hijack ($16) from Rogue Amoeba. I personally own and regularly use Audio Hijack Pro ($32), which has more features than the plain version. If you just want to record audio WireTap Pro or Audio Hijack would probably be sufficient. In fact, if WireTap Pro can even be used without registering if you're willing to have all of your recordings be in AIFF format. Personally, I would recommend Audio Hijack (Pro).
Luigi asks
Is there a way to convert a VCD I downloaded to a normal .avi so I can play it with my eyehome (elgato) ??? I also would like to convert some OGM & RM to AVI.. I tried DIvx converter, ffmpegX & streamclip and they all failed miserably.
Your question is a little bit unclear, though this thread at macOSXhints may help. Basically, a VCD already uses MPEG-1 encoding, which your EyeHome should natively read. So I don't think you actually want to convert it to an AVI, you just need to expose the file as an MPEG and put it in your Movies folder for the EyeHome to find.
Mount the VCD in the Finder (use Disk Utility if it's an ISO), then look for the MPEGAV folder. Inside of it you should find a file like: AVSEQ01.DAT If you just rename that file to AVSEQ01.MPG, according to the Elgato FAQ it be readable by the EyeHome. If you're willing to pay for the convenience you might find VCD and MPEG Tools ($29.95) worthwhile, but you should be able to do this for free manually without any conversion necessary.
Shawn asks
This may even be a mac 101 type of question, but is there a way to open a file using only the keyboard? Since highlighting and hitting enter just allows you to rename, I haven't been able to figure this one out.
As you say, the key that you might expect to launch the file (enter or return) instead highlights for renaming. The keyboard shortcuts that will open a file in the Finder is: cmd-o or cmd-down arrow, if you want to open the file and close the Finder window you can use either cmd-opt-o or cmd-opt-down arrow. The most convenient resource I've found for keyboard shortcuts is the Magical Macintosh Key Sequences page, though there's also this Support Article at Apple.
Okay that'll do it for this week. Keep those questions and comments coming!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeff said 9:17AM on 5-09-2007
Dear TUAW.
I am a long time Windows user who just started using a Mac.
Is it possible to delete just one item from the recycling bin? I have looked around, and it looks like you can only empty the whole bin, not individual files. Is this possible?
Reply
andrew harrison said 9:22AM on 5-09-2007
You can also use Soundflower from Cycling 47 to record through the soundcard. It's a freeware audio routing application that creates virtual soundcards.
Settings for recording through the soundcard in Garage Band are as follows:
Audio Pane (in System Prefs):
Default Input: Soundflower 2ch
Default Output: Soundflower 2ch
System Output: Built In Output
GarageBand:
Audio Output: Built In Output
Audio Input: Soundflower 2ch
Optimise for Maximum number of tracks
That will let you record whatever you're hearing through the speakers.
Reply
michel said 12:17PM on 5-09-2007
dear 101,
i have been using macs since 1985 so im not realy a recent switcher, anyway i can't seem te find something very simple: is there anyway to make os x copy text when i select it? and to be able to paste again when i klik the midle mouse button, i have a couple of linux desktops like this and find this very handy. thanks.
Reply
CajunLuke said 9:48AM on 5-09-2007
Jeff: You can empty one file, but it involves deleting it through the terminal. (If commandlines aren't your thing, the answer to your question is no.)
In the terminal, type "rm " (pay attention to the space), then drag the file from the Finder to the Terminal window. Its path will be added to the line, then hit Enter to run it.
Reply
Matt said 10:09AM on 5-09-2007
For converting files to WMV, you can also use Visual Hub (from the creators of the iSquint) which costs about $30 I think.
Reply
Brian said 10:12AM on 5-09-2007
Just wanted to say you don't need multiple user accounts for fast user switching, it'll work with just one.
Reply
Ziktar said 1:29PM on 5-09-2007
Personally, I prefer to use Apple + Down Arrow to open things. In Finder navigation, Apple + Up Arrow goes up a folder, and Apple + Down Arrow either opens the folder or the file. So, you can do your basic navigation around the folder with the arrow keys, and then when you want to open something, you don't have to move your fingers off the arrows.
Reply
kevin said 1:46PM on 5-09-2007
-jeff
i found this program called graveyard. you put this application in your dock and it allows you to permanently delete a file. you if you dont want to completely empty your trash can and only want to erase a few files, this will handle it. forgot where i found it, but i'm sure a google search will do the trick
Reply
Jon Stieglitz said 2:40PM on 5-09-2007
If my Finder preferences are set to "Always open folders in a new window" is there any way to open a specific folder within the same window? I am talking about a keyboard command to press each time I want to perform this action, not a way to set a specific folder to always do this.
Reply
ben said 4:28PM on 5-09-2007
Nick = I had the same issue (ripped a CD at work (windows) without iTunes. I used my thumb drive to bring the files home to the mac, but they wouldn't work, as WMP ripped as WMA files. I found a great option (thanks to google): There is a free app called "switch" that will cross convert. I needed WMA > MP3, but it is supposed to go MP3 > WMA, if you needed it to. I was able to download a mac version (there is also windows and linux) for free, and there is a pay version "plus" that I didn't see the need for. You can see the app here: http://www.nch.com.au/switch/
Reply
Mr Lizard said 6:21PM on 5-09-2007
I'm with #10, Ben. I use Switch all the time. It's fast, easy, supports tons of formats, and free. It's the first app I install with every new Mac.
Reply
Mat Lu said 6:31PM on 5-09-2007
@10 & 11: Unfortunately, Switch will not convert MP3 to WMA on a Mac (only Windows) and so it won't solve Nick's problem.
http://www.nch.com.au/switch/faq.html#ABA
Reply
afeld said 8:40PM on 5-09-2007
I have a Belkin Pre-N router in my house, and, of course, my PC's wireless card is not compatible with Vista Business. I have been trying to share the internet (airport) connection via ethernet through my powerbook to that PC, with no success. I have gotten the PC to recognize my powerbook in its "workgroup", but still no internet. I tried using a static IP on both machines, as well as the automatic DHCP. Any suggestions?
Reply
Dan Gresham said 11:56PM on 5-09-2007
We'ren't we to expect EMI to put DRM free music on iTunes in May? Has anyone heard an update on when in May?
Reply
kevin said 4:41AM on 5-10-2007
Mac101,
I have been a mac user for over 6 years now and after scouring everywhere on the web and trying countless pieces of software, I have been unable to find the answer to my needs:
I have made a playlist in iTunes and I would like to export the playlist as a clickable m3u, as well as the MP3s so that this can be opened on another computer and both the playlist as well as songs are added.
The current state of the problem is:
• the iTunes playlist exports include direct pathnames which are broken if you were to burn the mp3s to a disc
• the iTunes xml files must be imported through the menu (not clickable)
• a simple search and replace function on the xml does not work since the music is often in different artist/album directories - perhaps someone knows the correct regular expression?
• burning a data disc is not an ideal solution in case I would want to put other files on the disc.
• I even tried running an itunes -> m3u playlist converter on windows through parallels but it didn't seem to work and that is clearly not a good solution
• some old applescripts exist but they don't seem to work, other applications don't really do the job either.
Reply
Kevin Kershaw said 4:41AM on 5-10-2007
Mac101,
I have been a mac user for over 6 years now and after scouring everywhere on the web and trying countless pieces of software, I have been unable to find the answer to my needs:
I have made a playlist in iTunes and I would like to export the playlist as a clickable m3u, as well as the MP3s so that this can be opened on another computer and both the playlist as well as songs are added.
The current state of the problem is:
• the iTunes playlist exports include direct pathnames which are broken if you were to burn the mp3s to a disc
• the iTunes xml files must be imported through the menu (not clickable)
• a simple search and replace function on the xml does not work since the music is often in different artist/album directories - perhaps someone knows the correct regular expression?
• burning a data disc is not an ideal solution in case I would want to put other files on the disc.
• I even tried running an itunes -> m3u playlist converter on windows through parallels but it didn't seem to work and that is clearly not a good solution
• some old applescripts exist but they don't seem to work, other applications don't really do the job either.
Reply
Kevin said 9:45AM on 5-23-2007
Murray: I'm a little late to this post but I just use Firefox with Gameday audio. Works great! I tried with Camino but had issues so since I already had FF installed I just use it when listening to the Braves.
Reply