What is the last itunes version to keep Mp3 format

Question

I am using Itunes in Panther with an old Tangerine G3 laptop. I need to use songs in Mp3 format to import into slideshows. I was running Itunes 7.7, but found my music trapped in Mp4 and most music could not be converted to Mp3. I downgraded to itunes 4 to keep Mp3 format. Now I can't connect to the itunes store. What is the latest version of itunes that can connect to the store and still keep Mp3 format?
I asked on the Panther board. They sent me here.

Answer 1

The version of iTunes you have has nothing to do with the format of songs from the iTunes Music Store. None of the songs from the iTunes Store are in MP3 format, the store has only ever sold songs in AAC (MP4) format. The standard 128 kbps songs from the store are protected ACC and cannot be converted, all you can do with standard songs is burn them to audio CD which you can use like any other CD you have. If you need songs that can be converted then you need to be sure and purchase iTunes Plus songs (they have a little plus sign beside the price). If you want any songs you import from CD etc, to be in MP3 format then adjust your import settings accordingly. In iTunes 7 go to iTunes>Preferences>Advanced>Importing and choose MP3 as the format you require. When you want to convert a song the conversion command in the Advanced menu on the Finder bar and be labelled "Convert Selection to MP3". You can also purchase songs from other stores such as Amazon who sell unprotected MP3s which can be played in iTunes and used in other programs..