Big problems with M4A after updating to Windows 11 22H2

Anonymous

Dear colleagues, after updating Windows 11 to 22H2, there were significant problems with playing files purchased from iTunes in .m4a (AAC, ALAC) format. This problem has been fixed by a lot of people all over the world and is especially evident on the DJ forums. Problems are observed with the quality of playback, and with the volume and with a number of other parameters. This problem is detected on software that uses the built-in Windows 11 22H2 codecs (on earlier versions, the problem is not observed), Windows Media Player, RekordBox, Serato DJ Pro, etc. On players that use their own codecs (VLC, iTunes, JetAudio HD, etc.) there is no problem. When converting m4a to mp3, there are no problems. What it looks like: https://youtu.be/WqAA12pfWjg and https://youtu.be/um3QSTuLg6s Software vendors fix this issue after the 22H2 update as well, label it as a Microsoft issue and offer a workaround, such as converting the entire m4a database to other formats, which of course is completely unacceptable advice with a database of several thousand files. https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/12212808237337-RekordBox-5-8-7-m4a-problems Does Microsoft acknowledge the existence of this problem and when is it planned to release an urgent fix, since. the problem has been observed for a very long time and prevents normal operation?

Thanks in advance!

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Anonymous

I installed KB5035942 and unless I'm severely mistaken, the issue seems to be resolved.

Can anyone else confirm?

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Anonymous

2024-01-27T13:08:40+00:00

Stephen, please go back and read my actual replies. It seems you may have skipped them. I didn't disregard this issue at all. I explained why posts on the internet don't actually report problems to us. Finally, I said a fix was on the way to be delivered in February.

Pete

Dear Pete,

KLite Codec does not resolve the problem - this is how to reproduce :

Window 11 Family, 23H2 / on AMD Rysen 7, 32 Go Ram | Lenovo Legion

KLite Codec 18.0.5 Basic - Currently Latest version

Rekordbox - 6.8.2 - Currently Latest version

Ava Max Kings & Queen m4a / bought on iTunes @ 1:40

The following video shows the problem..

https://youtu.be/w76FviCTA04?si=bSeIQ9RxPpWEi_-_

Thanks for your support

Very Best Regards
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Anonymous

2024-01-26T15:51:05+00:00

Stephen, please go back and read my actual replies. It seems you may have skipped them. I didn't disregard this issue at all. I explained why posts on the internet don't actually report problems to us. Finally, I said a fix was on the way to be delivered in February.

Pete
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Anonymous

2024-01-26T15:22:24+00:00

I have a fix that works great. I also encountered problems with playing .m4a files from iTunes. The sound would skip during playback almost like I was playing from a defective vinyl record. The fix is simple and free. Go to "www.codecguide.com" and follow the instructions of how to download and install "K-Lite Codec Pack" for Windows. They have a link to donate to their team which I assume they would appreciate but that is not required. I have no connection with this site or its applications.
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Anonymous

2024-01-26T08:30:35+00:00
Dear Pete,

I have encountered this problem for years now; the m4a problem is very well described here, and is still present with the latest Win11 updates. This thread is not the only one on the Internet. I think you don't understand the impact of disregarding this issue.

Users playing m4a files on Windows music software can no longer rely on their iTunes library.

Why?

Because m4a tracks cannot be broadcasted nor played in public with the problem described here.

Translating m4a into mp3 could be a work-around but will have 2 issues
1. all metadata and hotcues will be lost
2. playlists referencing any m4a must be manually updated with mp3 copies - may be very long
3. with the iTunes system, both m4a and mp3 will be stored on the disk - doubling the library space.
We are not talking about a few files bought on iTunes. Professionals do store thousands of tracks and iTunes is a good solution to get the music on different devices instantly, providing tracks with very good metadata information.

The solution - for me and I think many users - and despite the advantages of iTunes - is not buying anything ion the iTunes Store anymore- because m4a library is too complicated afterwards to maintain.

Is it the goal? Killing iTunes? I can't believe it...

The consequence is more like users running Music Software like Rekordbox Virtual DJ or Traktor can regret not having bought a Mac instead of Windows computer.

Now if Microsoft really "supports" m4a, I think that Microsoft must provide a solution - not only work-arounds.

As m4a codec is part of Windows 11 system still have issues, I think there are 3 concretes options to consider today:

a) Microsoft announces that Windows 11 no longer supports m4a - forcing software vendors like Serato providing there own codec part of their product.

b) Microsoft announces a date for a patch to be released

c) Alternative: statu quo and Microsoft supports an agreed vendor able to fix this issue delivered in a third-party driver software.

Thank you for your consideration and feedback about this annoying issue

Very Best Regards
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