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[never2clever]

I am getting a "Media Center encountered errors while trying to play the last several files. Please make sure that the path in your media library points to the right location."

But:
- The "filenames" shown in the media library (in the "filenames" column) are correct
- I can do other things with the files (I did an update library from tags on the whole library and had no problems)
- I just imported everything this morning
- Everything worked yesterday in MediaJukebox
- The files play in another player
- I tried making a new library (in the library manager), importing some files into it, and those don't play either (same error)

Some data:
- All the files are on the local disk, and are MP3s. They were actually "sorted" into directories by MediaJukebox.
- This morning I uninstalled MediaJukebox and installed MediaCenter. I downloaded a fresh copy (it looks like 12.0.473)
- I have been using MediaJukebox on this machine, and MediaCenter on a different machine, without a hitch for a few weeks.

I would appreciate any and all advice on how to remedy this.

Thanks!

[JimH]

Strange.  What kind of file?  MP3?

Are you playing from with MC?  Or from Explorer.

[never2clever]

All of the files are MP3 files. (I don't have other audio files on this machine to test). They play fine in Windows Media Player (and played fine yesterday in MediaJukebox).

I tried importing a directory of pictures (JPG and NEF) and everything seems to work fine with them.

I did just notice that somehow the directory with all the music got marked read only - but changing that did not change the behavior. (I did not recreate the library after making the directories writeable)

I am playing from within MC. Either by picking Audio and then double clicking on a line in the listing, or trying to play a smartlist.

I can even edit the tags OK.

This is truly bizarre - I have had such good luck with this thing so far (which is why I bought it).

Is there a mechanism for "cleaning out all previous settings and trying again". (I did a piece of this by making a new library - but is there some hidden state that might have gotten messed up)?

Thanks!

[never2clever]

Is there any way to get more diagnostic information than just
"Media Center encountered errors while trying to play the last several files" (getting it to tell me what errors) - this might help in debugging.

[gappie]

you could post your system info. you find it under help>system info. just copy and paste.
besides that you can turn on logging also under help. and see if it gives some errors inthere.

 
gab

[JimH]

In MC, try File/Library/Library Manager and set up a new library (don't clone).  Switch to it and import a single directory of MP3 files.  What happens?

We see a lot of weird problems that often turn out to be programs like virus checkers.

MC has logging under Help.  You could try that.

[never2clever]

I tried creating a new library.

After creating it:
- If I drag-and-drop a file int to MC window (from explorer) - I get the "encountered errors" dialog

- If I import a single directory (didn't try a single file) - everything shows up correctly in the recently imported, I can edit tags, etc...  - but I get the "encountered errors" dialog if i try to play it

I will put the "help->system info" output below.

I have tried logging. I'm not sure what to look for, but I see no obvious red flags. Th e log (even if I just turn it on when trying to play 1 song is quite long) - is there a mechanism for me to upload it so an expert can look at it? I'll include a seemingly relevant snippet below.

=================================
Media Center 12.0.473 Registered -- C:\Program Files\J River\Media Center 12\

Microsoft Windows XP  Workstation 5.1 Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
AMD Unknown 2208 MHz MMX / Memory: Total - 2096 MB, Free - 1257 MB

Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.2180 / ComCtl32.dll: 5.82.2900 / Shlwapi.dll: 6.0.2900 / Shell32.dll: 6.0.2900 / wnaspi32.dll: N/A
Ripping /   Drive D:   Mode:Normal  Type:Auto  Speed:Max
  Digital playback: Yes /  Get cover art: Yes /  Calc replay gain: Yes /  Copy volume: 32767
  Eject after ripping: Yes /  Play sound after ripping: No 

Burning /  Drive D: LITE-ON  DVDRW SHM-165H6S   Addr: 0:0:0  Speed:48  MaxSpeed:48  BurnProof:Yes
  Test mode: No /  Eject after writing: Yes /  Direct decoding: Yes /  Write CD-Text: Yes
  Use playback settings: No /

Portable Device Info
  Removed devices:


Interface Plugins:
  last.fm (Active)
  Library Server (Active)
  TiVo Server (Active)
  UPnP Server (Active)
=============================================
0019531: 2532: Playback: CJRPlaybackEngine::Play: Playing C:\Music\Acoustic\David Grisman and Martin Taylor\Tone Poems II\David Grisman and Martin Taylor - Tone Poems II - 01 - Swanee.mp3 with type mp3
0019531: 2532: Playback: CJRPlaybackEngine::StartPlayFile: Start
0019531: 2532: Playback: CJRPlaybackEngine::StartPlayFile: Play returned: 0
0019531: 2532: Playback: CJRPlaybackEngine::StartPlayFile: Finish (0 ms)
0019531: 2532: Playback: CJRPlaybackEngine::Play: StartPlayFile returned 0
0019531: 2532: Playback: CJRPlaybackEngine::Play: Finish (15 ms)
0019531: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Play: Finish (31 ms)
0019547: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Start
0019547: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Checking for invalid position
0019547: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Attempting next chapter
0019547: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Checking for next disabled
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Checking for display / internal mismatch
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Checking can play next state
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Updating position, old=0
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next:   new=1
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Next: Play
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Play: Start
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Play: Handling exclusive playback zones
0019563: 2532: Playback: CPlayerZone::Play: Getting actual playback track
0019563: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (single file): Start
0019563: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (multiple files): Start
0019563: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (multiple files): Finish (0 ms)
0019563: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (single file): AllowAction(Action: Play Prepare) single file results: '1'
0019578: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (single file): Finish (15 ms)
0019578: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (single file): Start
0019578: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (multiple files): Start
0019578: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (multiple files): Finish (0 ms)
0019578: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (single file): AllowAction(Action: Play) single file results: '1'
0019578: 2532: Service: CServicesPlugins::AllowAction (single file): Finish (0 ms)

[JimH]

12.0.476 is at the top of the MC12 board.  Try installing it and rebooting.

Is there anything unusual about your PC or the files? 

Do the same files still play in MJ?

[Matt]

If you think it's file-specific, please email a sample file to matt at jriver dot com.

Thanks.

[never2clever]

I tried all of these suggestions (except 1):
1) I reinstalled the 476 build. (complete uninistall, reboots after uninstall and install)
2) I sent the log file to Matt
3) I did not try MJ, since I uninstalled it
4) even though I uninstalled MC, all of my settings seemed to be preserved. (i did the uninistall as a different user)

There is plenty that is unusual about this PC. However, it all used to work. (I tried MC for a while, uninstalled it, then tried MJ, and uninstalled it when I decided I was going to pay for MC).

Some things that might be relevant (but they used to work):
- I installed things as administrator, but am using my user account.
- My user profile gets saved/loaded by a very unusual custom login scheme set up in my department
- I have tried putting the library in my profile, but also in a "normal" place on the local disk.

Everything else works, except for playback.

I'm stumped. I guess I don't NEED such a sophisticated media player in my office...

[Matt]

Thanks for the log.  Unfortunately, it didn't show an obvious problem.

Please do the same test with this special build I just emailed you a link to.

Then email me the log, same as before.

Thanks!

[Matt]

It can't create the output plugin.  I'm not sure why.

What if you switch from WaveOut to DirectSound (or vice-versa) in Options > Playback?

[never2clever]

That's it! It works now! (I switched to DirectSound, it was WaveOut)

(I never intentionally changed this setting - I have no reason to prefer one over the other, so I am happy to keep it this way)

Should I go back to the "official" 476 version?

Thanks again for the help!

[Matt]

That's it! It works now! (I switched to DirectSound, it was WaveOut)

(I never intentionally changed this setting - I have no reason to prefer one over the other, so I am happy to keep it this way)

Should I go back to the "official" 476 version?

Thanks again for the help!

Glad to hear it's working.  I'm not sure why WaveOut wouldn't work for you.  You might futz with WaveOut and the settings just to see if we can learn anything.  Maybe it'd work if you picked a specific sound card line?

Also, the version you have is fine.  You might upgrade (again) once a newer one is available here.

[never2clever]

Thanks again.

I don't see any reason to mess with it now that its working.

The sound "card" is an external USB device (too much electrical noise inside the case) - specifically a creative X-Mod.

[Matt]

I don't see any reason to mess with it now that its working.

I thought we might learn something that would help anyone else with this problem.  It's possible our code could handle some WaveOut subsystem failure better, but we need more details.  I tried WaveOut running as Guest, and it worked fine.

Have a nice weekend.

[never2clever]

I am happy to help you track down a problem - please let me know if there is something I could try that would give you more insights.

It very well could be that there is some bizarre thing on my machine (we have an IT staff that likes to do things differently), so I woudln't be suprised if this was something very specific.

Again, thanks for the fantastic support!

[Matt]

Try picking "Wave Out" in Options > Playback, and then pick "Output mode settings..."

Does the dialog appear?

If you pick the specific sound card line you're using, then play, will that work?

Thanks.

[never2clever]

I switched back to wave out, quit and and ran media center again, and...

Everything works fine. I didn't have to manually select the specific output device or anything.

I doubt this gives you much insight into the problem, but...
1) you might give a more descriptive error message when there is a waveout subsystem failure
1b) less generic error messages might be helpful in general - even if its a "search for error 352 on the wiki"
2) you might recommend that when this error occurs people try a different output, or even just to switch back and forth
3) in the help, you might give some guidance as to why I would prefer one over the other, and what the drawbacks are. (having done some computer music stuff, i understand why asio is desirable, but i have no idea why i would chose between waveout and directsound)