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Can I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an Apple® device?
OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks can be transferred to Apple devices using OverDrive Media Console v3.0 (or newer) on Windows or OverDrive Media Console for Mac.
Notes on transferring OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks…
- Most MP3 capable devices should play OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks.
- To transfer OverDrive MP3 content to an Apple device on Windows, iTunes v9.0.2 (or newer) is required.
- To transfer OverDrive MP3 content to an Apple device on the Mac, iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) is required. iTunes v8.1.0.52 (or newer) is recommended for use with the iPod shuffle®.
- OverDrive Media Console™ for Mac® supports transfer to Apple devices only.
Can I transfer OverDrive WMA Audiobooks and OverDrive WMA Music to an Apple® device?
OverDrive WMA Audiobooks and OverDrive WMA Music can be transferred to Apple devices (where permitted by the publisher or record label) using OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.3 (or newer) for Windows. OverDrive Media Console v1.0 for Mac does not support OverDrive WMA titles.
Notes on transferring OverDrive WMA titles to Apple devices…
- iTunes v9.0.2 (or newer) must be installed.
- The Apple device must be formatted for use with Microsoft Windows.
- The iTunes setting 'Manually manage music…' must be enabled for the device before you can complete the transfer. Adjust this setting as follows…
- Connect your device to your computer.
- If it does not launch automatically, open iTunes (v9.0.2 or newer).
- In iTunes, locate your device in the left vertical navigation panel (under heading 'DEVICES'), and click your device.
The 'Summary' screen is displayed.
- If it is not already checked, place a checkmark next to option 'Manually manage music…'.
- Click the 'Apply' button.
The iTunes 'Summary' screen refreshes, and your changes are saved.
- If desired, close iTunes.
Can I transfer OverDrive Audiobooks to a Zune® device?
The Zune does not support OverDrive WMA Music or OverDrive WMV Video. OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks and OverDrive WMA Audiobooks can be transferred to the Zune using the Transfer Wizard in OverDrive Media Console v3.1 (or newer). If you plan to transfer OverDrive Audiobooks to a Zune using OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard, please note that OverDrive Media Console v3.1 (or newer), Zune application v3.0 (or newer), and Zune device firmware v3.0 (or newer) are required. Before you can transfer OverDrive Audiobooks to a Zune using the OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard, you must close any other program to which the Zune device is connected.
Can I download OverDrive Audiobooks, Music, and Video directly to a mobile device?
Mobile devices with Windows Mobile® 5 or 6 can use OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile to download and play OverDrive Audiobooks, Music, and Video titles.
In order to use OverDrive Audiobooks, Music, and Video on a supported portable device other than a Windows Mobile device, you must first download the titles to your computer and then transfer them to the device using OverDrive Media Console.
How can I determine if a device is compatible with OverDrive WMA Audiobooks, OverDrive WMA Music, or OverDrive WMV Video?
If you have OverDrive Media Console installed, you can use the following files to test your device's compatibility with OverDrive Media.
For OverDrive WMA Audiobooks:
To download a 10 second DRM-protected sample OverDrive WMA file to OverDrive Media Console, click here.
For OverDrive WMA Music:
To download a 10 second DRM-protected sample OverDrive WMA Music file to OverDrive Media Console, click here.
For OverDrive WMV Video:
To download an 11 second DRM-protected sample OverDrive WMV Video file to OverDrive Media Console, click here.
Transfer the sample file for each format that you want to test on your device using these instructions…
- Connect the portable player to your computer.
- In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the title you want to transfer and click the 'Transfer' button.
The OverDrive Media Console Transfer Wizard is displayed.
- Click 'Next'.
The Transfer Wizard searches for a connected portable device.
If your device is detected the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
If your device is not detected, the Transfer Wizard displays a message stating that 'no portable players could be found.' For more information about why your portable player could not be found, click here.
- At the 'Confirm' screen, click 'Next' to begin transferring the file(s) to
the device.
When the file transfer is complete, the Transfer Wizard displays a 'Success' message.
- Click 'Finish' to exit the Transfer Wizard.
- Disconnect the device and play the sample file. If the file plays you will hear and/or see a test message indicating that the device is compatible with the specified format. If the files transfer successfully but do not play on the device, the device is not compatible with the specified format.
Note: Many OverDrive WMA Audiobook and OverDrive WMA Music titles can be transferred to Apple devices (where permitted by the publisher) using the Transfer Wizard in OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.3 (or newer) for Windows.
In order to use OverDrive WMA Audiobooks on a device other than an iPod or an iPhone, the device must play DRM-protected WMA content and either support the bit rate of 32kbps or be able to transcode 32kbps files to a supported bit rate. To use OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on a device, the device must either support the bit rate of 64kbps or be able to transcode 64kbps files to a supported bit rate. To use OverDrive WMA Music on a device other than an iPod or an iPhone, the device must play DRM-protected WMA content and either support the bit rate of 64kbps or be able to transcode 64kbps files to a supported bit rate. To use OverDrive WMV Video on a device, the device must either support the bit rate of 500kbps or be able to transcode 500kbps files to a supported bit rate. To review a list of supported portable devices, click here.
How can I determine if a device is compatible with OverDrive Download Station?
If your local library has OverDrive Download Station available…
At your local library, plug your device into the OverDrive Download Station and click on the 'Test your device for compatibility' link on the library's Download Station homepage. Follow the instructions on the screen to test your device for compatibility.
Why are some devices supported while others are not?
There are several reasons why a device might not support OverDrive media:
- Using OverDrive Media Console:
- Encoding bit rate - OverDrive WMA audio files are encoded at 32kbps for audiobooks, 64kbps for music, and WMV video files are encoded at 500kbps. OverDrive MP3 audio files are encoded at 64kbps. If your device is not capable of either playing these bit rates or doing the necessary transcoding then your player might not be able to play back OverDrive media.
- Support for DRM-protected Windows Media files - Many MP3 devices do not support Windows Media DRM and are not capable of playing DRM-protected Windows Media files. If your device does not support Windows Media DRM, it might not be able to play OverDrive media.
- Using OverDrive Download Station:
- Device connectivity - OverDrive Download Station offers USB cables to connect your device, but some devices use proprietary or nonstandard connectors. If the Download Station in your library has free USB ports available, you may be able to bring your proprietary USB connector with you in order to transfer files in the library. Please ask your library staff about connecting your device using your own cable.
- Proprietary software - Some devices require software to be installed on a computer before the device will work in conjunction with that computer. Though we have attempted to provide the broadest support possible, the software that your device requires might not be available at the OverDrive Download Station.
What bit rates must a device support in order to play OverDrive Audiobooks, Music, and Video?
Many OverDrive WMA Audiobook and OverDrive WMA Music titles can be transferred to Apple devices (where permitted by the publisher or record label) using the Transfer Wizard in OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.3 (or newer) for Windows.
In order to use OverDrive WMA Audiobooks on a device other than an iPod or an iPhone, the device must play DRM-protected WMA content and either support the bit rate of 32kbps or be able to transcode 32kbps files to a supported bit rate. To use OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on a device, the device must either support the bit rate of 64kbps or be able to transcode 64kbps files to a supported bit rate. To use OverDrive WMA Music on a device other than an iPod or an iPhone, the device must play DRM-protected WMA content and either support the bit rate of 64kbps or be able to transcode 64kbps files to a supported bit rate. To use OverDrive WMV Video on a device, the device must either support the bit rate of 500kbps or be able to transcode 500kbps files to a supported bit rate. To review a list of supported portable devices, click here.
What can I do if my device is not supported?
If your device is not supported, visit your device manufacturer's web site and check for firmware updates. Sometimes updating the firmware will enable your device to play an expanded range of bit rates, which might fix the compatibility issue. Also, contact your device manufacturer and let them know that you are not able to use secure WMA files encoded at 32 kbps (audiobooks), 64 kbps (music) and/or WMV files encoded at 500kbps -- a solution may be available for your device.
What is 'firmware' and how do I update it on my device?
Firmware is the software stored on your portable device that makes it work. Many manufacturers periodically offer firmware updates that expand the functionality of devices. We suggest that owners of unsupported devices check their device manufacturer's web site for the latest available firmware updates. It is possible that such an update may provide support for DRM-protected Windows Media files.
The method used to update devices will vary but generally an update is downloaded and run on your computer while your player is connected to it. Your computer will update the software on your device. Check your device documentation for specific instructions for updating your firmware.
Which devices do you recommend for use with your service?
OverDrive does not recommend any specific devices. We have tested a number of devices and have posted the results on our known compatible devices and known incompatible devices pages. We do not endorse any particular device, nor are we affiliated with any device manufacturer.
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