How to Link Music and Audiobooks to Yoto Cards
Adding custom content like music or audiobooks to the Yoto Player is surprisingly straightforward, provided you know where to start with the source material. While getting the files into a format that works for Yoto requires a few extra steps—especially with services like Audible—the actual process of linking everything together is quick once you get past the initial file conversion hurdle.
How Do I Actually Add Content Files to My Yoto Player?
The content can be added in two main ways: by creating a playlist directly through an app or website, or by uploading pre-converted files. For maximum control and ease of use, sticking with the website method is recommended.
Using the Yoto Website for Playlists
- Navigate to the Yoto website and find the “Make Your Own” section.
- Look for the “Visit Library/Make Playlist” option and sign into your account.
- You can then create a new playlist, giving it a name, description, and even uploading custom artwork.
Choosing Content: Audio vs. Stream
When adding content to the playlist, you have two choices:
- Add Stream: This requires a direct link to an internet radio station’s audio stream.
- Add Audio: This is for selecting specific files, such as music or audiobooks.
Supported File Formats and Customization
The supported file formats for custom audio uploads are MP3, AAC, and M4A.
- MP3: These are the most common music file types.
- AAC/M4A: These formats typically come from Apple’s Music or iTunes library.
If you want different visual elements for various tracks, you can press the plus icon to change the pixel art. While Yoto has a large built-in selection, checking out yodoicon.com is suggested as a resource for community-made icons.
Note on Linking: Remember that only one playlist can be linked to a single custom card. Once the playlist is ready, you link it to your physical or digital Yoto Player through the app or player itself.
What’s the Hard Part: Converting Existing Audiobooks and Music?
The primary difficulty isn’t using the Yoto system; it’s getting copyrighted or proprietary audio files out of their original services in a usable format.
Working with Apple Music/iTunes
If you use iTunes, the process is fairly direct:
- Locate the content you want to use.
- Use the download icon provided by the service.
- To find where the file landed, clicking the three dots and selecting “Show in Finder” helps locate everything. These files usually appear as M4A format.
Audiobook Conversion: Audible vs. Open Source Tools
Audiobooks present a greater challenge because many services employ DRM (Digital Rights Management).
-
Audible: This service does not currently offer an easy way to download MP3 files compatible with Yoto uploads.
- For those who own existing Audible content, software like Open Audible is mentioned as a paid option that syncs with Audible to convert books into usable MP3 files.
-
LibriVox (or similar open-source tools): An open-source route involves using programs like Librivox.
- This process requires more technical setup, involving downloading the correct version for your operating system (Windows/Mac/Linux) from GitHub and potentially needing to use Terminal commands on a Mac to finalize the installation.
A Simpler Alternative for New Purchases
If purchasing new books is the goal, the transcript suggests looking into services like libro.fm. This service reportedly offers an option to download files directly to your computer, bypassing the complex conversion steps needed with other platforms.
The Final Verdict
For adding custom audio content to a Yoto Player, the process is manageable if you are comfortable doing some file management beforehand. If your goal is simply to add music and you already own digital copies of MP3 files, that path is relatively straightforward using the Yoto website. However, when dealing with proprietary sources like Audible or other protected audiobooks, users may face significant technical hurdles requiring third-party software or a change in purchasing strategy.
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