How do you 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 were 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 for www.engvall.nu, W w w . e n g v a l l . n u
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FAQ
Q; It doesnt work!
A; I am using the R2V001 firmware and it works very well and I dont believe this should be different with any other firmware. Remember to use the "forward-lock" method when applying the DRM? The Drmpackager had that option as default though it might be different on yours perhaps?! The "Combined Delivery" works in general as well depending on what settings you apply to it (be smart). A working MP3 should have the MP3 icon + a key icon to the right of it while browsing the sounds folder of the k700i...
Q: It doesnt work part II
A; One report states that this doesnt work with the R2A041 firmware and another says it doesnt work with the R2N001 firmware. If you have done everything "according to the book" and you have one of these firmwares I guess you are out of luck...
Q; Cant find the DRM Packager on Sony Ericsson website...
A; This will get you a bit closer, but you still need to register...
http://developer.sonyericsson.com/site/global/newsandevents/
latestnews/newsfeb04/p_drmpackaging_full_oma.jsp
Q; Is it possible to play these .DM-files anywhere else?
A; You can play them for sure in e.g WinAMP either by associate the DM extension to WinAMP or by renaming the .DM to .MP3. A DRM file protected with the "Forward Lock" method does not include any encryption so therefore you should be able to play the generated sounds anywhere.
Q; Cant you rename the DM to MP3 and use it in the phone?
A; Yes you can and you will be able to play it (at least with the R2V001 firmware). But then you loose the possibility to use the sound as a ringtone.