Convert vob to mp3 and split audio files

I seem to be on a roll this week of converting file formats. I received a vob file from a client, which I needed to convert to mp3 for transcription. It proved really easy using Audacity which you can download free here http://audacity.sourceforge.net/.

Like everything, unless I use a program regularly I do forget how it works and I usually need to do conversions quickly so haven't got time to learn how to use new programs etc. However I find Audacity really easy to use.

So here's how to do it:

Open Audacity

File > open your vob

File > 'export as mp3'

Then give Audacity a few minutes to do its thing.

Of course Audacity can be used for much more than just converting formats. I also used it to split the converted mp3 into separate files using the Trim facility. I just highlighted the part in the audio that I needed as a separate file and clicked Edit > Trim and saved the file under a new name.

What do you use to convert file formats? If you know of any programs that are really easy to use I would be very interested to hear about them.

Convert M4V Video File to MP3

Today I had to download an MPEG-4 video file from iTunes for transcription for a client. I was unable to load the video file into my transcription software so I had to find a conversion tool. My wonderful tech support, Jon (who is also my husband), searched and found a tool at http://www.cucusoft.com/.

I downloaded the Cucusoft iPod Movie & Video Converter. It was really easy to use and took approximately 30 minutes to convert a 60 minute MPEG-4 to MP3. Problem solved!