Olympus WMA audio format to sync with Eclipse?

[Ellen J. Frankovitch]

Hi - I did a grand jury involving sexual abuse of a child and the child's tm was presented via DVD.  I was to take the testimony by writing as the DVD was being played for the jurors.  It was difficult to do but I felt that with my Passport and computer audio backups (audio using the USB Martel mic) - it would work.  Fortunately I also have an Olympus digital recorder - that gave a clear sound; the other two were muffled.

The problem is that my scopist is trying to sync thru Espress Scribe with my ecl file.  But the Olympus file is in a WMA format.

 

Does anyone know how to convert the WMA to a wav file which my scopist can use with Epress Scribe?

Thank you for your help!! - ellen

[Quyen]

There is a free audio conversion program called Audacity.  You could download it from download.cnet.com. Just type Audacity into the search box, and it should come up.  Well, I'll do better than that.  Here's the link:  Audacity

[Laura Renke]

Ellen, you can use the Olympus Sonority program that came with your recorder to convert a WMA to a WAV format file before sending it to your scopist.  But if your scopist is using Express Scribe, she's not going to be syncing the file, just playing it back via that program.  The version of ES that I have installed, v5.48, states in its help file that it's compatible with WMA files, so no conversion to WAV would be necessary, even using the free version.  I'm pasting in that info below.

If your scopist can't play the WMA file, she may have an older version and want to update her ES version.

Licenses and the Trial Period Contents | Previous | Next Express Scribe Help v 5.48

Feature Comparison Table Feature Express Scribe Express Scribe Pro Supported file formats AIFF, DCT, MP3, WAV, WMA All compatible file formats Supported foot pedals AltoEdge USB Foot Pedal All compatible foot pedals Video playback No Yes Licensed for Home Home Small business (fewer than 10 staff) Corporate / enterprise / government Technical support available No Yes

[Ellen J. Frankovitch]

Laura:  My scopist has the same version of ES as you, and downloaded the WMA into ES and voila! it worked!

So now I not only have a great new program, Audacity, but know about the ES potential.

 

Thank you again so much - Ellen

[Laura Renke]

Your scopist might want to just stick with the ES version she has if it's v5.48.  I got a new computer a few weeks ago and installed the most recent version of ES at that time.  The newest version has a nag screen in the free version, and v5.48 doesn't.  I save my previous version install files, so I chose to reinstall the version I'd been using on my old computer.

Do you have the Sonority program installed on your computer?  It came with my Olympus recorder.  It opens automatically when I connect my recorder to the computer with its USB cable.  It's a nice basic program.  It's very easy to convert audio files and create sound snippets using it.  If you already have it installed, you should take a look at it.

I'm glad everything worked out with the audio file for your scopist.

[Ellen J. Frankovitch]

No, I don't know if  have Sonority -  I've had this Olympus for many years and am not sure I have it available. Will definitely check when I connect the Olympus to the computer.  This is only the second or third time I've ever found I needed to use the Olympus, but boy am I glad to have it!

[Ellen J. Frankovitch]

Wow - you guys are the BEST!!!

I found a program online myself clled Switch which I used to convert to a wav and am in the process of condensing the wav file to send to my scopist.  But I love the fact that she might just be able to update her ES version and I love knowing about Audacity.  It might be a better program than Switch.  I will let you know.

How grateful am I to be part of this wonderful community!

[Quyen]

:)

What I love about Audacity is that it allows you to make snippets of audio.  It's great for making ring tones!  Lol :D

[Ellen J. Frankovitch]

Yea - I just downloaded it.  Will be fun to play with it. Thanks again xxxooo