How to solve the Vodafone lockdown on using mp3’s as ring tones for the Sony Ericsson K700i (and others as well most probably). I have found out that there are at least two possibilities (three including unbranding) until Vodafone starts listen to the customer and remove the MP3 ring tone banning from our mobiles.
1. Converting the .MP3 to a .AMR audio file, which the K700i also can play as ring tones. The disadvantage is that you can only play 12.2 Kbps sound files (equals low quality). If you choose this solution I recommend that you register on the NOKIA developer forum at http://www.forum.nokia.com/main.html and download the file Nokia Multimedia Converter 2.0. You will need a register code as you install, which can be requested to your e-mail at the same location as you download. The program is very easy to use so I will not describe the process. Upload the converted file using IR, Bluetooth or cable.
2. Now to the Surprise! After some time of searching and testing I found out that you can play a MP3 if you attach DRM (Digital Rights Management) to them. The DRM wasn’t something new but the problem was to find the correct program to add the DRM with. Finally! Download the Drmpackager from http://developer.sonyericsson.com/. You will have to register here as well. Now you can apply DRM to a MP3 directly. Use the standard settings and load a MP3, press the Create DRM content and there you have it… A file named “Yourfilename.dm”. Upload this file instead of the MP3 you where planning to use as ring tone and you will see that it has the same quality as the original MP3 and you can select it as a ring tone. Cool eh? This process isn’t as easy as just uploading a MP3 directly but on the otherhand it does not take more than 20 sec to start the application and add the DRM to a MP3, so it’s not a big problem. The disadvantage is that the sounds can’t be passed on, just like other DRM protected sounds. And then of course this does not solve the actual problem. I really can’t understand why VF want to change a working firmware to something that doesn’t work especially since I find it hard to understand that someone really want to use the K700i as a fully functional MP3-player, but I suppose VF believes that =)
Written by PatRaven at www.engvall.nu
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