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M4B - MPEG-4 Audio Book File

What is a M4B file

M4B files are audiobook files based on the very well-known and common container format MPEG-4. Typically, they are compressed using .AAC encoding. M4B files are very similar if not almost identical to another audio file format that uses the M4A file extension. However, the M4B file is not just an audio file but rather an audiobook file. This enables audio players, for example, to bookmark these files.

Files with the extension M4B can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes store. They are audiobooks that can be protected by Apple's very own DRM protection system, FairPlay DRM. This means that only authorized computers, iPods or other Apple devices can open these protected files. Some programs for non-Apple products can also play M4B files, however, such as Winamp for Windows. However, they can only play unprotected M4B files and often need some tweaking of plugins to allow this specific file format.

Here's a small, but not exhaustive list of programs that can open M4B documents:

  • Apple iTunes (Windows & Mac)
  • File Viewer Plus (Windows)
  • Nullsoft Winamp (Windows)
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player (Windows)
  • Roxio Creator NXT Pro (Windows)
  • Ventis Media MediaMonkey (Windows)
  • VideoLAN VLC media player (Windows, Mac & Linux)