from http://www.any-video-converter.com/version-compare.php which came highly recommended by cnet and a few other reviewing groups.
They have a free version that I started with, but then upgraded (pretty inexpensive) when I found I was using it for all kinds of things--making my own ringtones, stripping off audiofiles from videos, etc.



I hope that helps....

When you iTunes>Advanced>Create MP3 version, iTunes by default creates the new MP3 file in the same folder as the original m4a (Mpeg 4) so your description of both files in the folder on your computer makes sense.

On your computer, using Finder, I would make a new folder or subfolder and separate the mp3's from the m4a's to make sure you are not inadvertently mixing them when adding to your flash drive.

Next try would be to open the flash drive in Disk Utility on your Mac. Test/Repair/First Aid it to make sure it is OK. You may be able to wipe it/zero it out to make sure that it is clean before adding only the mp3's.

If above doesn't work, borrow or buy a different flash drive. They are inexpensive. A bad flash drive is actually my first suspicion from your description; sounds like you are doing things correctly. I don't think your conversion process is the problem.

Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

You suggested. I'm going to try buying a new flash drive and start over. I' thinking it may be a problem with the car's software because the flash drives work fine in my neighbor's Acura.
Thanks again for your help.

I've had similar problems in the past. There are plenty of video converters available free for download on the web. Just Google video converter, or refer to this mac guide about converting from mpeg4 to mpg 3. http://www.ilikemall.com/how-to/convert-mpeg-to-mp4-mac.html

MP3 is MP3; if you're converting in iTunes the songs should play fine assuming the target system can read them, which based on what you're saying about filenames, is what my gut is telling me is the problem.

First, convert everything in iTunes. 192k joint stereo is a good baseline. Then create a new folder in Finder and open it, so you have an empty window. Go back to iTunes and search for "mp3"; this should leave you with only the mp3 versions listed in the iTunes window (it will list ALL the mp3s you have in your library, if you only want some, you need to make a playlist with just those tracks). Select everything in the iTunes window and drag-and-drop them to the empty folder (it helps if you shrink the iTunes window a bit and move it off to one side so you can see the empty Finder window peeking out from behind). Then copy that folder to your flash drive, it should work fine.

The files that start with "." aren't showing up in OSX or playing in the Subie because in Unix and Unix-like systems, which OSX is, files that start with a "." are invisible, meant to be seen and used only by the operating system at a low level. I suspect they contain specialized data about the songs that is only needed by iTunes and that would "break" the MP3 files if it were included directly. I'm not sure if exporting the files by drag-and-drop will also export the dotfiles; if it does you're going to need to get your hands a little dirtier to erase them. Let me know and I'll be happy to help!

Sweet car. I saw one at the dealer the other day it look amazing. I hope it's a standard?

Let me know what you think of the car!

But 200hp? Really? Drop an STi engine in there and we can talk. Other than that it looks like the reincarnation of my much-beloved hard-thrashed Nissan 240SX, god rest her soul..

so somewhere there is a Scion just like it... I think it's the F... something.

I guess that is why the engine is not quite enough power, silly Toyota.

On this topic and use it at some point.

It's great so many people help each other out on computer related and other stuff.

Here's a link:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2719/how-to-convert-video-files-formats-to-mp3-with-vlc/