INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => Media Jukebox => Topic started by: Pdb on July 28, 2005, 08:28:06 am

Title: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: Pdb on July 28, 2005, 08:28:06 am

I have MJ 8.0.400 and Windows XP Home.

I recently downloaded a speech which is an MP3 file.  I can play it with MJ, but it sounds funny, with some of the words chopped off or run together, and what sounds like chirps every once in a while.  If I play it with Windows Media Player or Real Player V10, it sounds fine.

Does anyone have suggestions as to why this is occurring?  I have played many other MP3s OK with MJ8.  What can I do to correct this?

Thanks 

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: KingSparta on July 28, 2005, 11:20:55 am

make sure no other programs are running.

increase memory

buy a faster computer

post your system specs

try media center 11

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: JimH on July 28, 2005, 11:23:44 am

Try changing your playback options.  Direct Sound vs. Wave Out, for example.

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: KingSparta on July 28, 2005, 03:35:24 pm

that reminds me

turn off DSP and see if the problem goes away

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: Pdb on July 29, 2005, 09:10:41 am

System specs.  512MB Ram, 80 GB HD, Pentium 4, 2.8GHz, CD-RW drive and DVD+/- RW drive.  I doubt that the system is inadaquate.

Since I paid for MJ V8, I'd like to make it work, (or at least understand why it won't) instead of using Media Center 11.

I have tried several adjustments to Playback Options:  Direct Sound, Wave Out, Various settings of Bit depth, Performance = More responsive or More skip resistant.  None of these helped.

What do you mean by "turn off DSP"?  I went to Player>DSP Studio, and unchecked the three choices.  I also changed Overflow Handling.  Nothing changed the sound while playing this file.  If this did not turn off DSP, let me know how to do that.

I should also point out that I have no problem playing many other mp3 files with MJ8, and they sound very nice.  It must be something about this particular file which MJ8 doesn't like.  But, as I said before, other players play it well.

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: Pdb on July 30, 2005, 11:07:56 am

I downloaded and installed a free file conversion program called Switch (www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html) which allowed me to change the bitrate of the problem file (debate.mp3) which was 25 kbps, to 48 kbps.  I burned a CD-R.  This CD now plays on all my MP3 players, and sounds great when played with MJ8.  I guess that MJ8 can't play 25 kbps files properly?  Is this as advertised?

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: KingSparta on July 30, 2005, 02:10:40 pm

Quote

I guess that MJ8 can't play 25 kbps files properly?  Is this as advertised?

No Clue, but it may have problems because when MJ8 was made like 4 years ago they did not have any settings for ABR and in media center 11 they do.

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: JimH on July 30, 2005, 08:55:51 pm

Thanks for reporting the solution (or work-around, at least).

Title: Re: Playing an MP3 file
Post by: Pdb on July 31, 2005, 12:02:57 pm

Viewers,

While my last note on this subject was true, I think my conclusions are very suspect.  I recently downloaded another MP3 file of a speech (from a different source), and played it on Media Jukebox V8.  No problem.  MJ said it had a bit rate of 24kbps!!  I then burned a CD-RW, and it played very well on the reluctant player which I mentioned in one of my previous notes.  Apparently, bit rate is NOT the culprit.  I have neither the knowledge nor means to examine the problem file any further.  If anyone would like to pursue this any further, I'll be happy to send a portion of the cantankerous file.   

Thanks for the help you have been.