m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

[hitmouse]

I've been using the m4a (Release 8) converter to make iphone ringtones from mp3 files trimmed to 30 seconds or less.

I have found that when I use the CBR option, the Duration of the created m4a file comes out as double what it should be. If I use ABR then the Duration is correct. Unfortunately the iPhone will only accept CBR-encoded files, not ABR or VBR.

Could someone please confirm this bug?

I would actually like to have a tool that would force recalculation of durations of a number of files I have in various formats (mp3, WMA mainly).

[Spoon]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

When you play it, is it played half as fast as should be, or played the correct length?

[hitmouse]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

It plays at correct speed to the correct length but various playback software (iTunes, WMP) have a seek-bar at the length recorded in the Duration field, so it appears to cut-out half way.

iTunes won't even transfer the ringtone file over to my iPhone if it reads it as over 30 seconds regardless of actual playback time.

[LtData]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

What bitrate are you converting to?

[hitmouse]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

Since they're just to be ringtones, they're 128 kbps, but I found this makes no difference. It's just the CBR setting that seems to have this effect.

The only problem AFAICT is the Duration information stored in the files.

[hitmouse]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

nudge

[Spoon]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

Seems it is an issue of the playing software (if you ook at the popup information for the file - holding the mouse over it - is the correct duration shown?)

[hitmouse]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

I already answered that above. Windows Media Player, iTunes, everything I use has the same problem.

[hitmouse]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

Actually I should say that the original bug states the wrong duration is seen by all playback software ie 2 x actual duration.

[hitmouse]

Re: m4a CBR files get incorrect duration

I'm guessing this bug is not going to get any attention.