Found this software from sony that converts mp3 to atrac3 and plus. Converts single file or complete lists of mp3s. Free download from this site

www.connect-europe.com/sonicstage This is Sony software. You can make a data disc with the atrac3 files and the AVIC Z2 will play and record them.

So you are telling me that you can make a DATA disk, not a Music CD and it will record the ATRAC3 to the Z2's HDD? If that is the case, loading files would be a hell of a lot easier. Has anyone else done this and had success?

I tried it, using stuff that I read about in PSP hacking forums...It didn't work out for me....I just copied over one track, but it doesn't show up anywhere on the Z2....I think that they write data in several diferent folders....One folder stores the actual music file, but the id3 tags(or whatever your call them) and playlist grouping is spread across a couple of other folders..

I gave up on it, as like you said....just ripping them over with the OG disc is much faster/easier....I guess it's worth it for people that steal their music(mp3's)

what you pay for ur music

Yup....I fly straight now-a-days....Too much to lose..

Found this software from sony that converts mp3 to atrac3 and plus. Converts single file or complete lists of mp3s. Free download from this site

www.connect-europe.com/sonicstage This is Sony software. You can make a data disc with the atrac3 files and the AVIC Z2 will play and record them.

Did it work for you?

If someone is interested I have an idea.

If you have an unlocked drive and can hook it up to your computer, try this:

I think system mechanic(a program) allows you to take a snapshot of your computer(harddrive etc..) and after you install something it will tell you what is different.

Well if someone can figure out a way to take a snapshot of their z drive, put it into their z record a album to it, bring it back to the computer and compare, we will know what needs to be done for songs to show up and play once converted..

Just brainstorming... I dont have an unlocked drive (just got z2) so I cant try, maybe I will soon with my buddies z1.

There are other threads where people have been experimenting with this, attempting to decode ATRAC3's from the Z1/Z2 and upload their own.

Basically, although the Z1/Z2 uses the ATRAC3 format, it's somehow modified and not a straight ATRAC3 file. There seems to be some differences in formatting and some sort of DRM security built in. Needless to say, Pioneer is using it's own proprietary version of the format.

And, assuming you ever did crack the format, you'd then have to crack the indexing/uploading scheme. There are hundreds of empty folders in the music partition which need to be filled in a certain way, as well as an index file(s?) which is updated when importing a disc and is responsible for quickly browsing the library. In much the same way, you can't just drag MP3's to the ipod.

I'm not trying to be negative - I'm just warning you not to get discouraged when dragging-and-dropping ATRAC3's doesn't work. If it were that easy, we'd have cracked it by now. =\ Plus, since it's easy enough to just burn and rip audio-format CD's, well, yeah.