I'm trying to burn an audio CD using MP3's from different sources. When I try and drag and drop the tracks into Nero, some, no problem, the others give the message 'unrecognisable file format'. I've tried converting to wav with the same result. They all play OK in Winamp.

The only difference I can see is when I check the MP3 tag information. The 'OK' tracks are quoted as MPEG Layer III whereas the tracks that are unrecognisable are MPEG Layer II.

Apart from the obvious, what is the difference between the two and will Nero, or any other prog, be able to recognise and burn them ? If not, can they be re-sampled or converted to Layer III ?

Any help appreciated as always.

You can just use winamp to convert the files to wave... Just switch the output plugin to file writter and then change it back after you are done...

If you want to convert to mp3 then you can use lame or possibly other mp3 encoders to go straight to mp3.

These are MP2 files not MP3. They are playable by QuickTime and as you stated WinAmp. You can play the file in WinAmp and convert it to wave with the Disk Writer output plug-in. You can also install a WMA or MP3 output plug-in to convert to WMA or MP3. To convert to MP3 download and install the MP3 plug-in from here (follow the readme.txt instructions): http://www.winamp.com/plugins/detail.jhtml?componentId=177

Thnaks both, I'll give it a try tonight.