Now that I’ve spent a morning trying to figure out how to convert .mp3s to an audio format that works on Nintendo’s DSi or DSi XL I decided to post about it so the next time I need to do it I’ll know where to look.

Quick Info about DSi supported audio

Apple states that the only supported audio format for the DSi is AAC. AAC is the standard iTunes audio format. If you have it installed you can convert the files with iTunes if you prefer. I needed a process that did not use iTunes.

Here’s the info on the DSi audio format from Apple:

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/dsi/en_na/sdCards.jsp#compatible_files

Compatible file types

The Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL are compatible with the following file types:

File types: AAC

Filename Extensions: .m4a, .mp4, .3gp

Bitrate: 16 kbps – 320 kbp

Sampling rate: 32kHz – 48kHz

Here’s Apple’s “help” for converting MP3s to AAC:

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/dsi/en_na/sdCards.jsp#convert

“Music files that you want to play on your system may or may not be copy protected. Music files that are copy protected can not be converted to compatible AAC files for play on the Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL. Music files that are not copy protected can be converted to different formats using commercially available music file converters.

Nintendo does not provide a process to convert music files; however, there is conversion software for your PC which you can purchase, called Nero Music2Go. You can find more information about this program at www.nero.com/nintendodsi.

Whichever conversion software you decide to use, you will want to make sure the converter works with the file format you are currently using as well as the AAC format. For example, if your songs are currently in .mp3 format, you will want to find a program that can convert MP3 files to AAC.”

Converting to AAC (M4A) with WinFF

WinFF can be used for free and can be downloaded here:

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