m4a files synchronised - Album play order issue

cprelude · 04-09-2012, 07:05

Hi,

I am adding m4a files from my Itunes library to my Media Monkey Library. All the files appear fine in the Media Monkey Library. I.e., the play order is fine, and files play back OK.
When I synchronise them with the iAudio10 the following happens: the tracks go across, but in Album view the play order is wrong. In Folder view for the same run of tracks the play order is correct.
It seems that the Audiophile in Album view is "ignoring" the track number tag in the file metadata tag...Or something.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this issue?
Paul

cprelude · 04-10-2012, 10:56

A quick note that others may find useful, especially if they own an iPod and are trying to transfer folders/files across to the Cowon: I have discovered that by converting the files to mp3 the problem of ordering is solved. Apparently it's about the Cowon being able to work with the M4a file format sound-wise but can't read the tags properly...Or something (and there are other threads on this forum about this).

Anyway, I've forked out for the Media Monkey full version which does convert on the fly, whilst dropping them in to the Cowon. Doubtless there are loads of other "free" ways of doing this, I am sure documented in this invaluable forum, but I chose the line of least resistance.

In conclusion, it seems that, as far as m4a file format is concerned, Iaudio 10 compatibility is only partial.
I am sticking to mp3 for now, being something that seems to work.

Paul

popsimax · 04-11-2012, 10:24

I posted about this same problem in this thread. I haven't found a solution, so converting to MP3s seems sensible. If the file names all start with their track number then you can just play them through the folder view, of course.

FYI foobar2000 will convert between file formats for you.

cprelude · 04-11-2012, 14:15

Hi there Popsimax, thanks for your reply...Thanks for the advice on foobar2000, but I went with the paid solution in the, somewhat eccentric, MediaMonkey programme, for the reason that it saves me a step. With this feature installed I can now "add" an iTunes folder to my MediaMonkey library, then ask it to convert the files as it transfers them to the Cowon. This saves me having to make second copies of the files on my hard drive in the converted format (I guess Mp3 is the safest, haven't tried others like Ogg yet), and then having to move them across to the Cowon. As yet, I haven't found a "quick" or simple way of doing any of this...I still have to drop my album art in manually and use the open source AlbumArt Downloader for the images, which does a grand job. Then I am manually saving each jpg in to the Cowon folder containing the tracks as "cover.jpg" (not folder.jpg, as it doesn't seem to like that!).

Actually, foraging for my own cover art is quite fun, and I am quite enjoying the ritual now. For me it's a bit of a one-off job, and once I've transferred the bulk of my stuff, it'll be worth it.

I am thinking about writing a book about my experiences with this product!! (In semi-seriousness)...But, I am doing it all "because she's worth it"...The sound the device actually makes is so breathtakingly good, that I would willingly spend a year of my life getting the audio on there if I had to, frankly. It certainly outstrips any living room hi-fi I have heard by a mile...!

Paul

04-09-2012, 07:05	#1
cprelude Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 9	m4a files synchronised - Album play order issue Hi, I am adding m4a files from my Itunes library to my Media Monkey Library. All the files appear fine in the Media Monkey Library. I.e., the play order is fine, and files play back OK. When I synchronise them with the iAudio10 the following happens: the tracks go across, but in Album view the play order is wrong. In Folder view for the same run of tracks the play order is correct. It seems that the Audiophile in Album view is "ignoring" the track number tag in the file metadata tag...Or something. Does anyone have any thoughts on this issue? Paul

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04-10-2012, 10:56	#2
cprelude Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 9	A quick note that others may find useful, especially if they own an iPod and are trying to transfer folders/files across to the Cowon: I have discovered that by converting the files to mp3 the problem of ordering is solved. Apparently it's about the Cowon being able to work with the M4a file format sound-wise but can't read the tags properly...Or something (and there are other threads on this forum about this). Anyway, I've forked out for the Media Monkey full version which does convert on the fly, whilst dropping them in to the Cowon. Doubtless there are loads of other "free" ways of doing this, I am sure documented in this invaluable forum, but I chose the line of least resistance. In conclusion, it seems that, as far as m4a file format is concerned, Iaudio 10 compatibility is only partial. I am sticking to mp3 for now, being something that seems to work. Paul

04-11-2012, 10:24	#3
popsimax Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 6	I posted about this same problem in this thread. I haven't found a solution, so converting to MP3s seems sensible. If the file names all start with their track number then you can just play them through the folder view, of course. FYI foobar2000 will convert between file formats for you.

04-11-2012, 14:15	#4
cprelude Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 9	Hi there Popsimax, thanks for your reply...Thanks for the advice on foobar2000, but I went with the paid solution in the, somewhat eccentric, MediaMonkey programme, for the reason that it saves me a step. With this feature installed I can now "add" an iTunes folder to my MediaMonkey library, then ask it to convert the files as it transfers them to the Cowon. This saves me having to make second copies of the files on my hard drive in the converted format (I guess Mp3 is the safest, haven't tried others like Ogg yet), and then having to move them across to the Cowon. As yet, I haven't found a "quick" or simple way of doing any of this...I still have to drop my album art in manually and use the open source AlbumArt Downloader for the images, which does a grand job. Then I am manually saving each jpg in to the Cowon folder containing the tracks as "cover.jpg" (not folder.jpg, as it doesn't seem to like that!). Actually, foraging for my own cover art is quite fun, and I am quite enjoying the ritual now. For me it's a bit of a one-off job, and once I've transferred the bulk of my stuff, it'll be worth it. I am thinking about writing a book about my experiences with this product!! (In semi-seriousness)...But, I am doing it all "because she's worth it"...The sound the device actually makes is so breathtakingly good, that I would willingly spend a year of my life getting the audio on there if I had to, frankly. It certainly outstrips any living room hi-fi I have heard by a mile...! Paul