Problems getting MP3 files to play

[John111872]

I have Office XP Professional. I need to use MP3 files in presentations, but
they usually do not play for me. Files that play for others in their
PowerPoints do not play for me at all. SOme files created through an
indentical process with the same program will play, but most will not.

 

[Austin Myers]

Do you know which codec is being used to create the MP3s?

Austin Myers
MS Powerpoint MVP Team

 

[John111872]

No. How can I tell?

Do you know which codec is being used to create the MP3s?

Austin Myers
MS Powerpoint MVP Team

 

[John111872]

One more thnig: I have failed with mp3's made by several creators.

 

[Austin Myers]

Now I am confused. You said,

"SOme files created through an indentical process with the same program will
play, but most will not."

How are you creating them without knowing how they are created?

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

 

[John111872]

Confusion reigns supreme. I think the confusion is with the term "Codec."

I converted a batch of WAV files to mp3. Some of them will play in a
PowerPoint, but most will not. In trying to troubleshoot, I sent the troubled
files to someone else, who played them with no trouble. He made a new mp3
file that worked for him, but it would not work for me. We did the same with
a Windows Media File.

 

[Sonia]

Where are you storing your MP3 files? Are they in My Documents? Try going to
Start > Run and type mplay32.exe and click OK. Then open one of the problem MP3
files and click on the Play icon. Does it play? If so, move it to C:\Test and
then open PowerPoint and create a new simple blank slide. Insert your MP3 file
via Insert > Movies and Sounds > Sound from File and browse to C:\Test and
select it. Now go to slide show and test the presentation. Does the sound
play?
--

Sonia Coleman
Microsoft PowerPoint MVP Team
Autorun Software, Templates and Tutorials
http://www.soniacoleman.com

 

[Austin Myers]

John,

Do a goolge search on "mp3 codec". As you'll see there are a number of them
available. The key is to figure out which one is being used in your files
then install the proper one.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

 

[John111872]

The sound files play in every application I have except PowerPoint. The
method you describe for inserting the sound is what I have always used.

 

[Sonia]

I understand, but PowerPoint has some issues with the file. Does it play in
mplay32.exe? What is the length of the full path to the file? Did you try the
test I suggested (to move everything to C:\Test) which will shorten the path?

 

[John111872]

It does play in the mplay32.exe. I did not originally try the test suggestins
because I did not understand that length of path could be an issue. I did not
see how it could be, because of the fact that some files worked and otehrs
did not, and they were located in the same directory.

However, by moving the files, I am able to get them to play.

Thanks.

 

[John111872]

Why did it play the WAV versions of the same files located in the same
directory?

John

 

[Sonia]

Do they have shorter names or are they linked? They're probably embedded. You
can tell by right clicking on one of the WAVs and selecting "Edit Sound Object".
If it says that the file is contained in the presentation then it is embedded
and that is why it plays. No link path to locate. Only WAVs can be embedded.
MP3s are always linked.

 

[John111872]

I forgot to mention--the WAV files were inserted in exactly the same way, so
thier directory paths were identical.

We are now having another person with the same problem.

 

[Sonia]

But, as I said, they may not be linked. Did you check? Also, if they are not
embedded the file names may be shorter, resulting in a shorter path length.

 

[John111872]

That was it.

Do you know which codec is being used to create the MP3s?

Austin Myers
MS Powerpoint MVP Team