Why wont they play

delasnooch · #1 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009

I download some songs and when I transfer to my usb storage device and plug it into my alpine car stereo with some of the songs it says unknown or not supported when they are mp3's. When I put the same song on my mp3 player it plays with my head phones but when I connect it to my car again it says unknown or not supported why is this when my alpine can play mp3's, wma's, mp4's, etc. Please help its driving me crazy, and Thanks for your time
Snooch

Lord of the Rings · #2 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009

Only a guess, but perhaps some are in mp3pro format which also uses the same file extension of .mp3
If they are less than 200 kbps in bitrate then a reasonable chance the person used mp3pro format to encode them. mp3pro format is good for encoding files at very low bitrates below 160 kbps (eg: 64-128), but that's all. Some players are not licensed to play mp3pro format which 'is' a patent format.

delasnooch · #3 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009

I have tried even bitrates at 190 even 320 same thing. So how can I get around this problem?

Lord of the Rings · #4 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009

I guess you are aware there are lots of fake music files being spammed on the network. However if these files are playing with some players but not others, erm ... makes it a difficult situation. mp3pro is not usually used at such high bitrates though I do believe I've seen such.

You are sure the songs that will not play with some players do for sure play ok with other players?

delasnooch · #5 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009

yes they all play on VLC player but not on my car alpine stereo

Lord of the Rings · #6 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009

Cool

Yes VLC is an ideal audio file tester.

But your car player I presume can play mp3's?

Lord of the Rings · #7 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009

BTW little do many people realise VLC can in fact convert both video & audio but only to limited formats & file containors. Use the Streaming/Export Wizard under file menu. Then select Transcode/Save to file. Press Next button. Then select file in list after clicking the Existing playlist item.
Next button again, then select format desired. Example choose mpeg 4 audio, Next, Mpeg 4/mp4. Next. Select name & location. Alternatively, select uncompressed integer, press Next, select WAV.

VLC does have some strange output containors so be wary of that. But VLC export abilities is so far only very experimental.

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