Big problems with M4A after updating to Windows 11 22H2

Anonymous
2023-05-16T09:52:13+00:00

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!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2024-03-27T00:42:35+00:00

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

Can anyone else confirm?

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  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-27T16:07:08+00:00

    Please post your feedback hub link with your repro recording. I've said many times in this thread that videos are great, but they don't get us the detail we need to actually figure out the cause. Instructions are in this thread. I'm at the NAMM show on my phone so can't post screenshots or anything so please look back in this thread.

    It's possible the klite codec reads the flags in the iTunes files the same way we do.

    Pete

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