Windows Media Player 9 and MP3

I have just installed the latest version of Windows Media Player 9.
It is just great except that it refuses to play or stream mp3 files from websites. It seems to play all the other multimedia files but not mp3.
Has anyone else had the same problem or any idea what to do.
Dennis

 

It might be digital rights management stuff or the site may require another player, like Real Player or QuickTime.

 

Both Real player and Quicktime work OK but I had so much trouble with them I removed them both and reinstalled the latest version of Mplayer.
I have tested the player on Microsofts own media test site and it works with all the media accept mp3.
Dennis

 

Have never had that problem but try going to tools>options>file types in MP and make sure 'all' are selected. If they already are, deselect>apply>ok then reselecy>apply>ok and try to play them again.

 

Yes I have already tried that.
The point is that it will play mp3 files quite OK if you double click a mp3 file on the hard disk but will not download and play or stream and play a file on the internet. I have tried using m3u files on my web pages also but with the same problem.
I think in all my years of computing, sound and multimedia have caused more problems than anything else!
Dennis

 

Repeat. The sites from which you are streaming may REQUIRE either Real Player or QuickTime. I have all of them, and some more, installed. I don't make ANY of them default!

 

I am trying to play mp3 from my own websites which have always worked in the past - even with Mplayer version 6.
I am also unable to play mp3 files from Microsofts own test media page.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q316992#17
All other formats work OK including mp2.

I am coming to the conclusion that there is a bug in the latest version of Mplayer 9. (which I believe is very recent - have you tried it?)

Dennis

 

Dennis,

Tried the test page. No problem. Very strange.
I noticed this thread was moved from the Win98 forum. Are you using FE or SE?
Might try a fresh d/l and reinstall of MP and/or the codecs pack.
Is anyone else that you know of having problems with mp3's and MP9 on your websites? Possibly a recent bug there? Would gladly test if you post a link.

 

I have XP and WinMP 9 and I just tried the samples on the MS site. They were choppy and garbled. I never noticed a problem, but then, I never use WinMP for anything. Hmmmm.... Gonna play around some now...

Johanna

 

I have tried a re-download and install already.
I am running Windows 98 SE.
I have also posted the problem on
http://www.rds.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=48#post48

They confirm my problem but as yet have no answer.

Dennis

 

I went back to the MS test page and tried them all. On first run, I had to set my connection speed in tools>performance and change buffer rate to as much as 25sec. to play some of the files properly, ie; .mpeg-1, .aif .aiff .aifc, .snd and (shock to me) .wav, which I went all the way up to 60sec. with and it still wouldn't play right (like Johanna, choppy). I unchecked a couple file types then selected all and replayed all the test files again at the 'detect connection speed' and 'default buffering' settings without ever missing a beat.

I also checked out your thread at RDS and tried streaming some of their mp3 conversation files, which would not play, even if I downloaded them first. Right click>properties on those show a .pls extension though, which isn't supported.

I have an MP9 installation on 1 drive dated 6\26\2003, version 8.0.0.4490 and on another drive dated 12\7\2003, version 8.0.0.4490, the newer one having just downloaded from MS on a clean install. Both players stream within IE and from the drive, all supported formats.

I am running XP though, and although 98SE is supposed to support MP9, maybe this one thing is still a glitch. Maybe someone else with 98SE and MP9 can give a little more insight. Sorry I'm unable to help.

BTW, still willing to test your site!

 

For what it's worth the videos were choppy for me too. I don't usually have any trouble with video. Probably a buffer problem. Once the videos downloaded you can replay it by simply clicking the play button again and it'll play just fine. That's because it's not downloading the file again; it's playing it from the file in your TIFs.

I suspect what's happened here is the same as above. The file's in your TIFs so it plays smoothly. Try deleting your TIFs and then try playing them again and see what happens.

 

Well, I got to wondering...and it occurred to me that when people send me video clips by email, they open and play just fine in WinMP (So I do use it after all!) I checked a couple of old ones, and had no problems. Went back to the MS site, and prob for the reasons Zander pointed out, they played just fine the second time. So, no conflicts to report between XP and WinMP9, here. Maybe it's time you considered XP and moved up from 98?? Don't know what else to suggest, so I'll leave this for better minds...

Johanna

 

Thank you both for your help. If I find the solution I will post it here.
I have now modified my web site and made music clips available in swf format which work fine and are not dependant on mplayer.
If you are interested it is www.londoncharityorchestra.co.uk under the music downloads page.
Dennis

 

Makes sense to me Zander! But they all played OK for me even after deleting T.I.F.s.

BTW Dennis, good music! Have added to favorites

 

Just one final point. My version of Mplayer is 9.00.00.2980.

You seem to be using version 8, which also worked for me!

Dennis

 

I goofed! I was reading the file version from within my 'registered packages' folder rather than from my 'media player' folder. I too have version 9.0.0.2980 installed. Had me worried for a bit that windows update gave me version 8 and called it 9.

 

media player9 prob

i had some problems when i first got started downloading music it had something to do with windows couldnt read pdf files if you get this error you need acrobat thats the only thing that helped me and now i'm listening to everything just by drag and drop from my shared file hope this helps