Topic: Can't convert m4a file (Read 3654 times)

Krazykanuck · « **on:** May 24, 2007, 10:02:22 pm »

The file is an audio file.
When I attempt to convert the file I get an error saying that I may not have directshow filters installed but the file plays just fine.
I was looking at the directshow playback settings but not sure if that has anything to do with audio files.

I'm on 12.240

Twit · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2007, 10:41:10 pm »

I had the same problem, I installed the CCCP codec pack, and had no more problems.

Later
Simon

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2007, 06:52:14 am »

I have cccp installed.

As I said playback is no problem its conversion I can't do.

Yaobing · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2007, 08:40:19 am »

Quote from: Krazykanuck on May 25, 2007, 06:52:14 am

I have cccp installed.

As I said playback is no problem its conversion I can't do.

You must make sure playback is done through DirectShow, not Quicktime. If you are not able to play in DirectShow (but could still play in Quicktime), you can not convert. Do you see Spectrum Analyzer in "Current file" status window? Visualization in Display window?

glynor · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2007, 09:21:45 am »

Check that the DirectShow box for M4A is checked (read this for instructions).

Question... Did MC try to burn the disc anyway after you clicked OK to that error dialog, and burn a coaster? I recently had the identical issue (because that box was unchecked), and even though MC showed the error dialog, it still went on and tried to burn the CD (which I had already inserted). The burn process appeared to succeed but the disc wouldn't play in a CD player.

(Oh... You were trying to convert, not burn. Mind trying a burn for me before you check the box? You will likely have to sacrifice a blank disc, but it'd confirm what I'm seeing.)

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2007, 03:38:48 pm »

Yaobing

I do not see the spectrum analyzer so I assume that means that it is not using directshow for playback.
However in the directshow playback options I do have m4a checked.
Is there a particular filter I should have selected. I have tried various but still can't convert.

I have quicktime alternative installed not quicktime if that makes a difference.

Glynor

I tried to burn and it did not attempt to write to disk.

Yaobing · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2007, 05:12:07 pm »

Quote from: Krazykanuck on May 25, 2007, 03:38:48 pm

I have quicktime alternative installed not quicktime if that makes a difference.

I wonder if this would cause a conflict. Try specify filters:

Tools -> Options -> Playback -> Video -> DirectShow Playback Settings...

(this is where you checked m4a box). Make sure m4a is selected (highlighted), and click Select Filters button. Wait for the Select Filters window to appear.

On the left side "Source Filters", select "Haali Media Splitter".
On the right hand side ("Other Filters") select FFDShow Audio Decoder.
Click OK.

If that still does not fix it, you may need to open FFDShow's configuration (All Programs -> Combined Community Code Pack -> FFDShow Audio Decoder Configuration). Click "Codecs" on top of the left pane. Make sure "AAC" on the right pane is set to "libfaad2" (and not "disabled").

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2007, 06:51:42 pm »

Still no go.

I uninstalled quicktime alternative and now I get an error saying I need quicktime installed.

JimH · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2007, 07:27:32 pm »

Quote from: Yaobing on May 25, 2007, 05:12:07 pm

Try specify filters:

Tools -> Options -> Playback -> Video -> DirectShow Playback Settings...

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2007, 07:33:01 pm »

Ya did that as per Yaobing.
It still does not work thus my response.

From his last response it looked like he thought quicktime alternative might be an issue so I uninstalled it to see.

JimH · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2007, 07:37:59 pm »

I believe you'll need to get DirectShow to work for these files.

Yaobing · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2007, 08:07:16 pm »

Is that m4a file actually m4p (i.e. drm protected)?

Is it it encoded with Apple Lossless codec?

These are the two kinds of AAC files that can not be played with regular DirectShow filters.

The first type most likely will not have any filters able to play it. The second type can be played using Muvee Technology's "QuickTime Source Filter". This is a Source/Splitter/Decoder all-in-one filter. It happens to be on my computer, but I do not know where to get it.

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2007, 08:27:22 pm »

I keep getting confused when you say play.
I can play the file just fine. Well that was until I uninstalled quicktime alternative.
I can still play the file in VLC media player just fine, not sure what it is using for playback.

It was encoded with alac.
It is not drm protected.

If what you're saying is the problem is that it is an alac file I will look around and see what I can find for a filter.

I take it the filter you have installed came with other software you are running.

Yaobing · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2007, 10:17:18 pm »

Quote from: Krazykanuck on May 25, 2007, 08:27:22 pm

I keep getting confused when you say play.
I can play the file just fine. Well that was until I uninstalled quicktime alternative.
I can still play the file in VLC media player just fine, not sure what it is using for playback.

It was encoded with alac.
It is not drm protected.

If what you're saying is the problem is that it is an alac file I will look around and see what I can find for a filter.

I take it the filter you have installed came with other software you are running.

When I said play, I meant to say "play in DirectShow". You can convert m4a files if and only if you can play them in DirectShow.

Alex B · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2007, 04:28:15 am »

These links might help:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=46551
http://dsp-worx.de/index.php?pg=projects&tid=18

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2007, 07:03:45 am »

Thanks for the links Alex. I'll start looking into them.

Does anybody know what VLC uses since it plays the files without quicktime installed?

Back

Installed the dsmp3source codec package from dsp-worx.de and all is working now. I can play and convert, spectrum analyzer works etc.

From reading the thread at hydrogenaudio it appears that VLC has a newer or at least properly implemented libavcodec so that is why it played the files without quicktime.

glynor · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2007, 12:53:42 pm »

Quote from: Krazykanuck on May 26, 2007, 07:03:45 am

Does anybody know what VLC uses since it plays the files without quicktime installed?

VLC is not a DirectShow player, due to it's cross platform nature (DirectShow is a Windows component). It uses it's own built-in versions of the libavcodec from the FFMPEG project -- the same base as FFDSHOW. It has a wide variety of other splitting and decoding capabilities built in as well though... So, it doesn't work like MC or WiMP or MPC or ZoomPlayer at all. It is more akin to Quicktime Player, which also uses only it's own built-in stuff and it's own plugin system.

Do you have a copy of one of the "bad" M4A files that you can post somewhere so I can test it out? I'm curious what's wrapped up in there that CCCP isn't handling...

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2007, 01:16:49 pm »

I'll PM you the login info to an ftp site where I uploaded one of the songs.

Not sure what you listen to so I'll apologize in advance if you have to listen to the song.
My son is going through a hardcore/punk phase with his music tastes.

Alex B · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2007, 01:39:18 pm »

Glynor,

Did you notice that the format is Apple Lossless? For getting some "bad" m4a files you can just convert a few audio files to ALAC with iTunes. So far I have not been able to decode ALAC with FFDShow (though I have not tried that really hard).

glynor · « **Reply #19 on:** May 26, 2007, 02:59:49 pm »

I hadn't noticed. Thanks... I'll probably give it a go later tonight.

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