No sound when playing M4A files

[johnforster21]

This may be a bit of a dumb question, but I have just installed Winamp 5.51 and it recognises M4A files OK, seems to be able to edit the tags etc, but when I ask it play one of these files it just skips through to the end in a second or so, producing no sound, nor any error messages.

It seems fine playing normal MP3 and Flac files.

If anyone has come across the same problem and has found a solution, or if anyone recognises the daft mistake that I am making, I'd appreciate the benefit of their wisdom!

Happy Xmas y'all

[DJ Egg]

MP4/M4A is just a container format.
It's what's inside the container that counts.
For audio-only files, the audio content could be any of LC-AAC/M4A (aka: Nero Digital), HE-AAC/M4A (aka: aacPlus), ALAC/M4A (aka: Apple Lossless), or even MP3/M4A.

What does it say under Format Info in the Basic Info tab of the File Info (Alt+3) dialog for these M4A files? Please take a screenshot and attach it in a zip, along with your List Of Plugins.

If the problem persists, we will also need a link to a sample m4a file which exhibits the problem. Upload one to any of sendspace.com, stashbox.org, or mediafire.com and post the download url here.

[johnforster21]

Thanks for your response.

I have taken a much closer look at things, and have found that my installation of Winamp plays a standard MPEG-4 AAC LC file without any problems.

All of the files that do not play come up with "alac" under the Info column of the format info. The playing time appears to be correct, and the kbps and Hz fields are correct (or at least believable).

The only common theme with these unplayable files is that I have used Winamp to edit the Artist and other tags - is there any known problem with this? Or am I perhaps missing a codec to decode this type of file?

Thanks again for you help.

[Nunzio390]

Maybe first provide what Egg asked for? Then perhaps he can help you further.

Originally posted by DJ Egg...
Maybe take a screenshot and attach it in a zip along with...
your "List Of Plugins" <--clickable link

[DJ Egg]

ALAC isn't supported by default.
There's an ALAC decoder available in the Essentials Pack.

[johnforster21]

File containing info requested by Egg is attached.

Thanks for you interest in my problem!

[johnforster21]

Egg, you're a star - I'd have never figured that out myself.

Is there anything worth reading that would give me some more info on these sorts of things - as you can tell I'm a complete rookie!

Thanks again!

[DJ Egg]

For sure, but it's probably best to just deal with issues if/as and when they arise.

Glad to hear everything worked out ok :-)

[The_Teflon_Tom]

Hello Egg,

I am experiencing the same issue with m4a files. The difference is Winamp simply skips these files and moves on to the next file. I have seen several posts related to either 'no sound' or 'skipping file' but haven't figured out how to fix it.

- I am using 5.52 Pro.
- I have installed the Essential Pack and the ALAC decoder.
- When I get the file info for these files, the information is blank.
- This problem began when I started using 5.5X prior to this, these files would play without issue.
- Itunes is able to play these files without issue.
- I have attached a file showing my plug-ins.

Thanks!

Tom