Topic: Can't import audio files into MC11 (Read 36626 times)

StarBand Guy · « **on:** May 26, 2005, 04:11:47 pm »

When I try and import my MP3 collection, it finishes with the list, and when it comes up "adding files to library", it stops at the first file and returns a Windows error looking type box with a red "X" which is intitled "PlaybackEng" and says "the parameter is incorrect". The program is then essentially locked up until the task is killed.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the program to no avail. Photo's loaded in fine, as did MPEGs.

Anyone have any ideas?

Matt · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2005, 06:40:48 pm »

Uninstall MC 10 and MC 11. Reboot.

Reinstall the latest MC 11.

Let us know what you find.

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2005, 08:13:30 am »

No go; exact same message. This machine never had 10 on it, just the various permutations of 11. Tried re-installing the latest one just now.

Matt · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2005, 09:20:06 am »

Could you look at the log here:
C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Application Data\J River\Media Center 11\Log.txt

Let us know what file is causing the problem. (it'll be the last line in the log) Emailing a copy of the log and file to matt @ jriver.com might help.

Thanks for helping.

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2005, 10:39:25 am »

There's no log file anywhere on the disk that I can find. Is that a default, or do I need to turn on the logging function?

This seems to have something to do with the drive being mapped. They'll import if I move them to the Media Center machine.

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2005, 07:19:56 am »

Now I'm getting the exact same error even when trying to move files within the C: drive (that is import from the internal drive).

OK. I finaly got MC to record a log file by installing to a different directory.

It lists all of the MP3, then gets to the actual importation of the first one and the log ends with,

"8:45:26 AM: Import: AddFile: Found: G:\Music Files\WYNTON_M\STANDARD\21___WYN.MP3
8:45:26 AM: Import: AddFile: Found: G:\Music Files\ZZ_TOP\ZZTOP_LA.MP3
8:45:26 AM: Import: AddFile: Found: G:\Music Files\ZZ_TOP\ZZ_TOP_2.MP3
8:45:26 AM: Import: AddFile: Found: G:\Music Files\ZZ_TOP\ZZ_TOP_3.MP3
8:45:26 AM: Import: AddFile: Found: G:\Music Files\ZZ_TOP\ZZ_TOP_4.MP3
8:45:26 AM: Import: AddFile: Found: G:\Music Files\ZZ_TOP\ZZ_TOP_5.MP3
8:45:26 AM: Import: AddFile: Found: G:\Music Files\ZZ_TOP\ZZ_TOP__.MP3
8:45:26 AM: Import: GetNewFiles: Finish (8484 ms)
8:45:26 AM: Import: MakeLibraryBackup: Start
8:45:26 AM: Import: MakeLibraryBackup: Finish (281 ms)
8:45:26 AM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Start
8:45:26 AM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Adding: G:\Music Files\Adam Sandler\They're All Gonna Laugh at You\Adam sandler - key to the highway.mp3
8:45:26 AM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Finish (157 ms)"

This is when I can perform no further operations or quit the program as it maintains that an import process is occurring. I have to kill it with the task mgr.

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2005, 08:03:18 am »

Bump.

I'm still stuck and looking for ideas other than a reformat of the disk.
It sure appears that the "ImportNewFiles" is ending prematurely and not very gracefully.

I hate to beg, but I will. I've been using MC since 10 came out and I hate the thought of giving it up over something stupid like this!

I've searched on PlayBackEng errors without much luck. I've restored an old disk image that used to work, but it returns the same error. I don't get stumped very easily, but I am on this one.

I also tried installing on an entirely different machine and run into the same error when trying to import from that same shared drive - it is physically (usb) attached to that computer.

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2005, 12:06:42 pm »

No one else has seen this, huh?

Anybody?

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2005, 08:33:04 am »

OK, I've thrown in the towel on this one and am moving on. I've worked around the problem by installing an external usb drive on the Media Center machine rather than using the network drive.

The only thing I can think of that's left is that the offending drive is on a hub and perhaps MC is finding something it doesn't like about that with regard to music files an returns the PlayBackEng error?

I don't know, but MC is happily chugging away importing my 36000MPs, so I seem to be back in business.

11 has been worth the wait and the warts. It's looking great.

JimH · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2005, 08:58:54 am »

Quote from: StarBand Guy on June 01, 2005, 08:33:04 am

The only thing I can think of that's left is that the offending drive is on a hub and perhaps MC is finding something it doesn't like about that with regard to music files an returns the PlayBackEng error?

It's also possible that there is a bug in the network software or hardware.

FluoDude · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2005, 04:55:52 pm »

PlaybackEng

exactly the same for me,

I was used to MC10 with local or shared mp3's
i just bought a NAS (simpleshare 250) and copied all my music on it
i get this error on import and on play
I tried WMP10 and this one could play , it found the files on import but only imported 2 filles
Then I tried Itunes, works perfectly !!!! ??
I tried upgrading to MC11 , now i can scan and find them but not import or even play

I would like to keep using MC but my NAS is essential in my set-up

how come there is a difference between Itunes WMP and MC ?

Matt · « **Reply #11 on:** June 02, 2005, 05:10:47 pm »

That sounds like a NAS setup / installation problem. We use a NAS inhouse for testing all the time, and haven't encountered any problems.

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2005, 05:31:23 pm »

I have a NAS setup but wasn't using it in the problematic situation. I did try it, before I gave up and got the same error.

It also imported pix and video from another computer on the network fine - it was just this one external firewire or USB (I forget which now) drive.

It might be a LAN thing, I don't know. Someday, I'll wake up in the middle of the night and have the solution.

JimH · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2005, 07:02:55 pm »

Quote from: FluoDude on June 02, 2005, 04:55:52 pm

how come there is a difference between Itunes WMP and MC ?

Maybe the speed of MC hits the disk harder and causes a bug to surface that doesn't with iTunes. There are all kinds of possibilities. No two programs use the PC the same way.

FluoDude · « **Reply #14 on:** June 07, 2005, 08:31:40 am »

Okay then , one of the two has to go the simpletech Simpleshare NAS
or Media center , mmmm

The NAS is out ,

any recomendations on home NAS devices that work with media center (350 $)

I used the internal drive which is on IDE (tomshardware) so no hub problem.
Could it be that MC can not handle a samba server ? The file structure used can not be the problem , I tried both the internal drive an an external (USB2) fat32 drive.

I already contacted Simpletech , they af course say, since itunes works and WMP works 50% that it is program related.

StarBand Guy · « **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2005, 10:00:17 am »

It SHOULD work. I can find no reason it should not.

I haven't tried since unchecking FLAC options for import. There was some discussion that led me to believe that perhaps that may have had something to do with it.

It may work for you. Try it.

FluoDude · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2005, 12:30:48 pm »

I'm now thinking about this:

Maxtor Shared Storage Drive (H01R300)

does anyone has an idea if this one works, or has another NAS sugestion?

(When I sold the simpletech NAS i told the guy about MC,he uses itunes, now he wants to switch to mc , guess he to will try to sell the simple share , to bad it is a great NAS expept for MC support

)

nymaestro · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2005, 11:06:52 pm »

I am using the Maxtor Shared Storage Drive, and am receiving the "The Parameter is Incorrect" error when I am importing my library.

nymaestro · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2005, 06:44:55 am »

I am still getting this error ("The Parameter is Incorrect") after upgrading to 312. I even completely uninstalled the software and reinstalled it. The error still appears.

Looking at the log, it experiences the error after it searches for files and begins to import the first file.

KingSparta · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2005, 07:35:03 am »

this is the weekend

I don't have one but was thinking about getting something like it where i can share all the drives.

JimH · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2005, 08:03:27 am »

Quote from: nymaestro on August 19, 2005, 11:06:52 pm

I am using the Maxtor Shared Storage Drive, and am receiving the "The Parameter is Incorrect" error when I am importing my library.

This may be a bug in the drive's software. Try importing the same files from a local drive to confirm.

If that doesn't work, then:

Try importing a single file type (wma, for example). Choose advanced in the import to select file types.

Try importing a single directory.

You can also import single directories by using Windows Explorer. Right click on the directory, choose Media Center, Import.

nymaestro · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2005, 10:03:07 am »

Solved the problem, at least for the MAXTOR.

I needed to upgrade the Firmware, and TURN OFF "Drag and Sort"

JimH · « **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2005, 11:16:30 am »

Thanks for reporting the solution.

nickeaston · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2005, 07:03:30 pm »

None of the above solutions fit my setup. Using a third HD, no network or usb drives.

Import worked fine for months, now for no apparent reason it fails per the PlaybackEng error message. Version is 11.0.314. Number of files is about 50,000. Logging indicates that crash doesn't stop at any particllar file.

nickeaston · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:20:19 am »

continued...

I reinstalled MC10 and the same message PlaybackEng appears; only difference is it can be dismissed many times, allowing import to resume, before finally locking up.

nickeaston · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:50:07 am »

continuing...

Reinstalled MC11 after cleaning registry; same hanging behavior as before...tried to import only mp3s but makes no difference.

I wonder if fooling around with MoodLogic would cause this disruption??? It claims to not change files...

WXP/SP2
3.2 ghz/2gb ram

JimH · « **Reply #26 on:** October 16, 2005, 09:14:27 am »

Have you just left it overnight to see if it finishes?

Can you try importing a directory at a time to see where it fails?

Also try importing a single file type (mp3) and no others.

A hard disc problem could also be involved.

nickeaston · « **Reply #27 on:** October 19, 2005, 08:50:58 am »

MC crashes, locks up and must be closed with TaskManager.

Hardrive checks ok and has been defragmented without incident.

Single file type mp3 crashes.

I have hundreds of folders and not practical to try that approach.

Note that WinAmp imports and plays without problem.

Matt · « **Reply #28 on:** October 19, 2005, 09:13:13 am »

Quote from: nickeaston on October 19, 2005, 08:50:58 am

MC crashes, locks up and must be closed with TaskManager.

Hardrive checks ok and has been defragmented without incident.

Single file type mp3 crashes.

I have hundreds of folders and not practical to try that approach.

Note that WinAmp imports and plays without problem.

Try putting a file on a different drive. See if it works from there.

It's possible XP folder permissions are causing grief.

Otherwise, if you think it's file specific, send a sample to matt @ jriver.com and we'll try it here.

Thanks.

nickeaston · « **Reply #29 on:** October 19, 2005, 09:29:46 am »

Don't think it's file-specific--log doesn't stop at same file or folder each time

If there is a batch procedure to reset folder permissions I could try that but I have several hundred folders.

Why does WinAmp not complain?

Nobody has mentioned investigating the code error message mentioned at the top of this thread

smackafee · « **Reply #30 on:** November 02, 2005, 01:00:03 pm »

I, too, have had this trouble. I have a very large set of music files that need to stay on the NAS. I'm using the simpleshare250, too, and love it.

The simpleshare works like an NT4.9 network drive, and *every* other program works just fine with it.

I have had some individual file issues, but neither the log nor the popup window give me enough information to troubleshoot. As I see it, the process should continue until finished, skipping the problem files if there are any, and then report back with a list of problem files.

I don't want to sift through 50kilotracks directory by directory.

My hardware is new and functioning brilliantly. The NAS is new as well and upgraded. There is something else going on here.

smackafee · « **Reply #31 on:** November 02, 2005, 01:01:14 pm »

Quote from: Matt on October 19, 2005, 09:13:13 am

It's possible XP folder permissions are causing grief.

So... what does this mean, exactly, and what can we try to test this theory?

nickeaston · « **Reply #32 on:** November 02, 2005, 01:13:12 pm »

I'd check the permissions of my hundreds of music folders IF there is a batch processing method to do that...

In the meantime, WinAmp, while not as elegant as MC, allows me to listen to my music...

smackafee · « **Reply #33 on:** November 02, 2005, 01:29:44 pm »

The ugly way to do that in WinXP is to do a search on the root/main folder. Under "advanced options" there is a pulldown for type of file, and you should be able to select "folder" in there.

Once the folder list is populated in the right-hand frame, select all, right click, and choose properties. You can apply properties globally that way.

JimH · « **Reply #34 on:** November 02, 2005, 01:44:53 pm »

Quote from: smackafee on November 02, 2005, 01:00:03 pm

The simpleshare works like an NT4.9 network drive, and *every* other program works just fine with it.

This does not prove that the driver for the network drive is bug-free.

It only proves that the other programs (apparently) do not trigger the bug.

Please check for driver updates.

Again, we did have a problem that sounded a lot like this and the fix was a driver update.

Here's an example of the kind of problem:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=24041

and another:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=28233.0

Neither of those is the same problem I mentioned above, but they'll give you an idea why I'm asking you not to rule out the drivers as the source of the problem.

smackafee · « **Reply #35 on:** November 03, 2005, 12:39:10 pm »

Thanks. I have checked for updates for drivers or firmware, and there aren't any. This unit is only a week old, so I'm pretty sure it would have the latest anyway.

Just a qualifier here: my unit is a week old, but I also worked on the exact same unit about a month ago and had the exact same problem. I would love to know what the import process is actually doing at that point; maybe that would help me eliminate other factors.

RobertsJJ · « **Reply #36 on:** November 10, 2005, 11:43:22 pm »

Allow me to chime in on troubles too...

WinXP Pro SP1, and then same trouble after upgrade to XP2.

I store my music on a drive attached by USB2.0 with a drive-letter assignment.

--

Everything used to work. I diconnected my drive one day and forgot to reconnect it before starting MC11 (11.0.316). It choked on my files all being gone and loaded a different library. I switched back and imported into the desired library -- still forgetting that the drive was disconnected

Anyway, my setting were such that MC11 was set to delete items (from the library) that it couldn't find in the library anymore. I woke-up and connected the USB drive. Then I did the import thing. This is where is went wrong: it would stop at ~400 files, crash with the "hey, tell Microsfost about it" message. But I'm persistent. I try again. ~200 files and then a crash where it just closes-up MC11 without any warning/error. ANother time... ~1000 files. Again... ~300 files -- mostly crashing without warning but sometimes with the "tell MS" pop-up.

Logging shows nothing out of the ordinary -- no indication of an issue at all. The crash happens when "Adding files to Library..." (not during the search).

Any suggestions? Please?

Thanks,
RobertsJJ
MC/MJ user since version 7.

smackafee · « **Reply #37 on:** November 11, 2005, 12:15:30 am »

We should consolidate this stuff into one thread, but I don't know which one. Some Citizen of the Universe should make a suggestion...

Other thread: http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=30150.0

RobertsJJ · « **Reply #38 on:** November 11, 2005, 12:44:35 am »

Smack,

I don't know how I did it but I fixed it.

Actually, I did three things: (1) I excluded a directory of videos and (2) I changed the location of where I would keep the Track Images:

In Tools | Options | File Location ... there is a Track Images Location. I chose "In specific folder" and chose a path to my USB drive that holds my music...
Z:\Media\Music\Data\Cover Art\

(3) I did the same for Output File Location's Base Path:
Z:\Media\Music\

Then, after those three changes I tried to import again. It was fast and clean without any issues. I may brave adding the videos directory tomorrow but it's about 2am here and I've had it for now.

I wish you great success,
RobertsJJ

smackafee · « **Reply #39 on:** November 11, 2005, 11:06:55 am »

I appreciate the suggestions. I followed them and met with the original problems still. I think that excluding the videos was probably the kicker for you; is there anything specific about the videos, file types, text characters, etc.?

smackafee · « **Reply #40 on:** November 14, 2005, 05:51:12 pm »

Anyone helping here? I'm very happy to help troubleshoot this. I've been a JRiver customer since MJB8, and I'm very pleased with *most* of the changes. Now that I cannot import my library, I'm frustrated. I really, really, really don't want to use iTunes.

JimH · « **Reply #41 on:** November 14, 2005, 05:55:46 pm »

Try importing a single file type (MP3, for example).

Try importing single directories.

Make sure you have the latest build.

smackafee · « **Reply #42 on:** November 14, 2005, 06:34:27 pm »

I tried only importing MP3 files. Obviously, the file set is smaller, but the result was the same:

4:31:55 PM: Import: GetNewFiles: Finish (579 ms)
4:31:55 PM: Import: MakeLibraryBackup: Start
4:31:55 PM: Import: MakeLibraryBackup: Finish (140 ms)
4:31:55 PM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Start
4:31:55 PM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Adding: R:\Music Xition\Music2\Ambient\Akre, Carrie\Akre, Carrie - Blind - Home.mp3
4:31:55 PM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Finish (31 ms)

At this point, I have to kill MJ with the task manager.

I have tried to import only a single directory -- that's what I was attempting in the other posts.

I am using x.316, which I think is the latest.

Am I the only one who uses commas in my music files? That shouldn't matter, IMO, but just curious.

JimH · « **Reply #43 on:** November 14, 2005, 06:38:05 pm »

Try turning analysis off in the Import options.

Don't kill the program for a few hours.

R:? A network drive?

smackafee · « **Reply #44 on:** November 14, 2005, 07:03:13 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 14, 2005, 06:38:05 pm

Try turning analysis off in the Import options.

R:? A network drive?

By "analysis" do you mean the fix/remove stuff? I turned all that off prior to the last import.

No, "R:" is a local hard drive (it's one big enough to hold my collection, about 130Gb). I supposed i could make that some lower letter, if that matters, but it is local. I'll let the program run overnight tonight.

smackafee · « **Reply #45 on:** November 14, 2005, 07:51:51 pm »

Update. I have a little bit of new information. I have an M4x directory, and a large portion of it imported cleanly, so I thought I'd use it to troubleshoot. It got through all the files that were (tracknumber) - (filename), for whatever reason. It crapped out on the first one without a tracknumber.

I seriously doubt that's the problem but rather I bet that those were all created the same way, and that's why they work.

Can I post one of these troublesome files for you guys to play with?

Plus, I would let it run, but the last line of the logfile is:
5:47:01 PM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Finish (1594 ms)
... and I have to think that means it ain't doin' nuthin.

smackafee · « **Reply #46 on:** November 14, 2005, 08:56:44 pm »

I have experimented quite a lot this evening, and I submit that my problem is database or tag info related. But I need some help!

Matt · « **Reply #47 on:** November 14, 2005, 11:17:40 pm »

Quote from: smackafee on November 14, 2005, 07:51:51 pm

Update. I have a little bit of new information. I have an M4x directory, and a large portion of it imported cleanly, so I thought I'd use it to troubleshoot. It got through all the files that were (tracknumber) - (filename), for whatever reason. It crapped out on the first one without a tracknumber.

I seriously doubt that's the problem but rather I bet that those were all created the same way, and that's why they work.

Can I post one of these troublesome files for you guys to play with?

Plus, I would let it run, but the last line of the logfile is:
5:47:01 PM: Import: ImportNewFiles: Finish (1594 ms)
... and I have to think that means it ain't doin' nuthin.

You can manually import using drag-n-drop from Explorer into MC to test individual files.

If you find a file that MC doesn't like, please email a sample to matt @ jriver.com.

Thanks for the help.

nickeaston · « **Reply #48 on:** November 17, 2005, 08:03:14 am »

1. My MC never recovers from the freeze-up, even sitting all day.

2. I have 2 Maxtor network drives available but am not using them for my music library.

3. Using the drag technique, I get a 5 to 10 percent rejection rate (I have hundreds of folders).

4 It appears that in some cases, it's a punctuation problem in the folder name and/or the file name--the best example so far is my Bjork folder containing filenames with fractions and other 'foreign' characters...

5. In other rejection cases, there are no punction characters or other apparent abnormalities.

6. It seems to me that MC should be at least as tolerant of accepting the existing file and folder naming of my music as Windows Explorer and Winamp.

7. I'll keep trying as long as the suggestions continue, because other than this recent deal-breaking problem, I am a happy several year user of the jukebox.

JimH · « **Reply #49 on:** November 17, 2005, 08:14:34 am »

See if you can import single file types, one at a time.

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Author Topic: Can't import audio files into MC11 (Read 36626 times)