zack371
03-08-2004, 11:18 PM
ORIGINALLY POSTED BY CHANDCK (dead links to be removed soon)
Article one
===========
Only about 50% of my MP3 files played on both my Apex 660 decks. After many hours and a lot of trial and error, I have figured it out and I have had great success. I have gone from only 50% of my 1,500 MP3 files playing on the Apex 660 to 100%. Here are my findings:
1. Rip CDs to MP3 or download MP3
2. Use Winamp (free download) and pull MP3 files into Winamp playlist
3. Right click on each MP3 file in play list and select "file info" to open MPEG File Info Box + ID3 Tag Editor
4. Make Sure the ID3v2 box is checked off.
5. Make sure the ID3v1 box is checked and have at least the song and artist information.
6. If any changes were required in step #4 & 5, then select "update" and the tag editor information will be updated in the MP3 file.
7. Make sure MP3 file name does not contain a period, except for .MP3
- example R.E.M. or R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. in file name will result in the song not showing on the 660 play list and the deck will appear to freeze for a period of time. (this took a while to figure out)
8. I used Adaptec CD Creator 4.03
9. Joliet - (which allows all 11 characters to be displayed on 660)
10. Mode 1
Notes:
Step 4 & 5 fixed all my problems with MP2, DTS and ? being displayed in the play list of the 660 and also the fast timer problem.
Step 7 fixed the problem of the 660 freezing for no apparent reason. It was really stuck on a file with more than one period in the file name.
I had no problem using folders and subfolders. Be aware that shuffle only works in a folder - this is actually in the manual.
I was able to use any media, even the cheap stuff and CD-R and CD-RW workded fine, 74 and 80 minute CDs.
I hope you find this information useful and good luck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 2
=========
Here's a little checklist for you...
- Some CD/MP3 players won't/can't read a CD unless you've closed the session. So, make sure you've burned a closed session CD.
- Your MP3/VCD player might ONLY support ID3V1 tags. Hopefully you've got a program (like MusicMatch Jukebox) that can convert ID3 Tags to whatever versions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 3
=========
Wow !! Now I can say that 100% of my mp3s will be read by AD660.
First see the thread http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1762&t=1734 (http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1762&t=1734) on why I got curious.
Thanks a lot bruce !
My test is successfull. I used Nero Burning ROM, Music Match Juke Box and tried on a Memorex CD-RW. The settings are ISO9660, Level 2(31 char), Mode 1, Joliet checkmarked.
The problem with Apex is, when it doesn't find the mp3 sync block (32 bit) within a particular offset, it doesn't like it and refuses to play. Also it takes a hell lot of time, to detect all mp3s within a folder if the mp3s have got the first mp3 sync block at nonzero offset. So I also followed bruce's approach. I created two folder
1) Hindi (The original mp3s produced by Music Match Jukebox). Apex only detected 50% of the files. Other files were displayed as DTS Dolby Digital Files and "?" files. Some files were displayed as mp2 file.
2) Hindi1("Hindi" mp3s after stripping off the initial bytes so that the header can be found at 0 offset). The folder access was real fast in comparison to "Hindi". All files detected as mp3 file.
Use the latest winamp(2.71) to get information about the header offset(enqueue in winamp and press Alt-3). The info from winamp after stripping of the junk bytes is similar to this:
Header found at: 0 bytes
MPEG 1.0 layer 3
128kbit,
44100Hz Joint Stereo
CRCs: No
Copyrighted: No
Original: No
Emphasis: None
For the above attributes the sync block is "FF FB 92 40". (To interpret this info refer: http://www.oreilly.de/catalog/mp3/chapter/ch02.html#60112 (http://www.oreilly.de/catalog/mp3/chapter/ch02.html#60112) )
I used the following free hex editor http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000VOX&b= (http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000VOX&b=) (Author: rkibria@hrz1.hrz.tu-darmstadt.de)
This is all manual and will be really painful to edit 130 mp3s. So someone has to write a simple program which will search all mp3 within folder and subfolders and modify the mp3 files such that header can be found at 0 bytes. This will be very easy if you already know the sync block format(e.g. if you use the attributes I use, it will be "FF FB 92 40". The first byte is always FF regardless of the format).
After this, write the mp3, sit back and relax.. !
Please post your results.. and let us know if you find any problem even after having the header at 0 bytes.
Thanks again Bruce!
KosB
1 or both of these will fix your problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 4
=========
I definitely agree about the FAQ. I'm sure I'd have some things to contribute... No, I'm not volunteering. http://www.cdrom-guide.com/ubb/smile.gif
Rocco - Read on in this forum and you will find lots of info on burning MP3's for the 660. I started a similar thread a month ago that got a lot of great responses: http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1640&t=1640 (http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1640&t=1640) Atrac's summary basically nailed it tho. From there you just need to worry about your naming conventions (How to rename all your files to 8.3 - consider trying a util like NameWiz) and whether or not to use folders. The advantage to folders is that you can more easily maneuver to a track (without using the TV). The disadvantage to folders is that you cannot shuffle between folders. If you put everything in the root directory, you have problems with the annoying remote control and the fact that the track numbers only go up to 99. To get to track 99, you would have to hit (+10) 9 times, and then 9. You can play higher numbered tracks such as 100, 101, 102, etc... but they display as 0, 1, 2... Of course, the reason most people choose to put everything in the root directory is to put in a disc and hit shuffle and get 10 hours of your favorite music... If that is your goal, put it all in the root.
Article one
===========
Only about 50% of my MP3 files played on both my Apex 660 decks. After many hours and a lot of trial and error, I have figured it out and I have had great success. I have gone from only 50% of my 1,500 MP3 files playing on the Apex 660 to 100%. Here are my findings:
1. Rip CDs to MP3 or download MP3
2. Use Winamp (free download) and pull MP3 files into Winamp playlist
3. Right click on each MP3 file in play list and select "file info" to open MPEG File Info Box + ID3 Tag Editor
4. Make Sure the ID3v2 box is checked off.
5. Make sure the ID3v1 box is checked and have at least the song and artist information.
6. If any changes were required in step #4 & 5, then select "update" and the tag editor information will be updated in the MP3 file.
7. Make sure MP3 file name does not contain a period, except for .MP3
- example R.E.M. or R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. in file name will result in the song not showing on the 660 play list and the deck will appear to freeze for a period of time. (this took a while to figure out)
8. I used Adaptec CD Creator 4.03
9. Joliet - (which allows all 11 characters to be displayed on 660)
10. Mode 1
Notes:
Step 4 & 5 fixed all my problems with MP2, DTS and ? being displayed in the play list of the 660 and also the fast timer problem.
Step 7 fixed the problem of the 660 freezing for no apparent reason. It was really stuck on a file with more than one period in the file name.
I had no problem using folders and subfolders. Be aware that shuffle only works in a folder - this is actually in the manual.
I was able to use any media, even the cheap stuff and CD-R and CD-RW workded fine, 74 and 80 minute CDs.
I hope you find this information useful and good luck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 2
=========
Here's a little checklist for you...
- Some CD/MP3 players won't/can't read a CD unless you've closed the session. So, make sure you've burned a closed session CD.
- Your MP3/VCD player might ONLY support ID3V1 tags. Hopefully you've got a program (like MusicMatch Jukebox) that can convert ID3 Tags to whatever versions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 3
=========
Wow !! Now I can say that 100% of my mp3s will be read by AD660.
First see the thread http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1762&t=1734 (http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1762&t=1734) on why I got curious.
Thanks a lot bruce !
My test is successfull. I used Nero Burning ROM, Music Match Juke Box and tried on a Memorex CD-RW. The settings are ISO9660, Level 2(31 char), Mode 1, Joliet checkmarked.
The problem with Apex is, when it doesn't find the mp3 sync block (32 bit) within a particular offset, it doesn't like it and refuses to play. Also it takes a hell lot of time, to detect all mp3s within a folder if the mp3s have got the first mp3 sync block at nonzero offset. So I also followed bruce's approach. I created two folder
1) Hindi (The original mp3s produced by Music Match Jukebox). Apex only detected 50% of the files. Other files were displayed as DTS Dolby Digital Files and "?" files. Some files were displayed as mp2 file.
2) Hindi1("Hindi" mp3s after stripping off the initial bytes so that the header can be found at 0 offset). The folder access was real fast in comparison to "Hindi". All files detected as mp3 file.
Use the latest winamp(2.71) to get information about the header offset(enqueue in winamp and press Alt-3). The info from winamp after stripping of the junk bytes is similar to this:
Header found at: 0 bytes
MPEG 1.0 layer 3
128kbit,
44100Hz Joint Stereo
CRCs: No
Copyrighted: No
Original: No
Emphasis: None
For the above attributes the sync block is "FF FB 92 40". (To interpret this info refer: http://www.oreilly.de/catalog/mp3/chapter/ch02.html#60112 (http://www.oreilly.de/catalog/mp3/chapter/ch02.html#60112) )
I used the following free hex editor http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000VOX&b= (http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000VOX&b=) (Author: rkibria@hrz1.hrz.tu-darmstadt.de)
This is all manual and will be really painful to edit 130 mp3s. So someone has to write a simple program which will search all mp3 within folder and subfolders and modify the mp3 files such that header can be found at 0 bytes. This will be very easy if you already know the sync block format(e.g. if you use the attributes I use, it will be "FF FB 92 40". The first byte is always FF regardless of the format).
After this, write the mp3, sit back and relax.. !
Please post your results.. and let us know if you find any problem even after having the header at 0 bytes.
Thanks again Bruce!
KosB
1 or both of these will fix your problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 4
=========
I definitely agree about the FAQ. I'm sure I'd have some things to contribute... No, I'm not volunteering. http://www.cdrom-guide.com/ubb/smile.gif
Rocco - Read on in this forum and you will find lots of info on burning MP3's for the 660. I started a similar thread a month ago that got a lot of great responses: http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1640&t=1640 (http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/read.php?f=3&i=1640&t=1640) Atrac's summary basically nailed it tho. From there you just need to worry about your naming conventions (How to rename all your files to 8.3 - consider trying a util like NameWiz) and whether or not to use folders. The advantage to folders is that you can more easily maneuver to a track (without using the TV). The disadvantage to folders is that you cannot shuffle between folders. If you put everything in the root directory, you have problems with the annoying remote control and the fact that the track numbers only go up to 99. To get to track 99, you would have to hit (+10) 9 times, and then 9. You can play higher numbered tracks such as 100, 101, 102, etc... but they display as 0, 1, 2... Of course, the reason most people choose to put everything in the root directory is to put in a disc and hit shuffle and get 10 hours of your favorite music... If that is your goal, put it all in the root.