Non iTunes AAC files wont play on shuffle

[perdomot]

I bought my IPS about 2 months ago to use for workouts because I didn't want to mess up my Mini. I loaded it up with a bunch of mp3s and its been working fine but when I added some AAC files I bought online, the IPS jammed. I did a search at Apple.com and found that in the troubleshooting section, it says that AAC files not made by iTunes may not play on the IPS. Since I planned to eventually switch over all my music to the better sounding AAC codec, this is a big problem for me. Not only did I buy the IPS, I bought the Sportscase and the Armband and I don't have any of the receipts for them because it seemed to be working fine. Any ideas of what I should do? The songs play on my Mini so I know they are all right. That just leaves the IPS as the problem.

[zip22]

where are the songs bought from?

[perdomot]

Don't have the link on this PC but doubt it makes any difference since Apple acknowledges the flaw and the same songs play on my mini. Hoping there is a workaround or some solution to this problem.

[Galley]

What file format are they .AAC, .RAX?

[zip22]

it shouldn't be that hard to convert the files. i wasn't aware that other companies where using aac.

[perdomot]

I also converted a bunch of songs from my CDs, used db Power Amp if I remember correctly. Problem is I donated the CDs to Goodwill after I ripped my songs so I can't re-rip them. The fact that Apple is aware of this problem but doesn't put it on the specifications page bothers me. That's not right that they say AAC files will play on the suffle but they don't tell you only their AAC files will work.

[perdomot]

Well, I contacted Apple support and got no help whatsoever on this. Basically, I was told it was my fault for not using iTunes to rip and convert the files to AAC. Nevermind that they don't tell you that anywhere on the tech specs page. This may well be the last iPod I buy as I don't particularly like being treated this way.

[zip22]

where the hell are the files from? if they're not protected, it should be very easy to convert them.

[Kevin523]

it's funny because I can play FAAC m4a aac files in itunes just fine.

[perdomot]

I created the files by ripping my CDs mostly and then using db poweramp to encode to AAC. Problem is I donated the cds to Goodwill after I ripped them since ITunes played them fine. The issue with the Shuffle occured after I transfered the files onto it and the Shuffle would jam for several minutes and only play the MP3 songs. I tried the songs on a friends IPod mini and they worked fine so the issue is specific to the Shuffle and the troubleshooting section at Apple mentions this. That info should be listed in the Tech Specs for buyers to see.

[zip22]

in itunes, change the import preferences to AAC and the bitrate you want, then try right clicking on the files and "convert to AAC".

[zip22]

another idea, if it won't let you re-encode them at the same bitrate AAC as they already are, try enabling variable bitrate. it should make the files smaller and not degrade quality at all. that has to work, since the files will be changing.

[perdomot]

Unfortunately, re-encoding any already compressed audio file will result in lesser quality. The variable bit rate might help a little but not much. Thanks for the suggestions though. Wish I knew what is causing the problem since the files play just fine on the Mini. I'm surprised they haven't released a firmware update to deal with this serious flaw. I hope the Nano doesn't have this issue as it is a flash based player like the Shuffle. If it does, there are going to be some seriously PO'd customers.

[zip22]

i don't think there will be too many people who are ####ed. not many people encode in AAC with programs other than itunes, and even if they do, i do not think re-encoding will suffer a noticeable loss of quality. what bitrate are they at now?

[perdomot]

At 128 Kbits. You may be right about the number of people who don't use something besides iTunes to convert files but those of who do have a genuine grievance with Apple for not making in known up front that you have to use iTunes to encode files with the Shuffle. Apple's "too bad" attitude certainly made things worse to me.

[chrisleeuk]

I've had a lot of bad experience with this using DBPowerAMP FAAC.

Some files would work but at low or high bit rates (anything that is not 128Kbs) I had a lot of trouble with my personally encoded AAC files on the shuffle.

Some tracks would not play on the shuffle others would not allow you to fast forward, going back to the start of the track.

So what did I do? I switched to the DBPowerAMP encoder that uses itunes directly.

This should solve all the problems right? well it appeared to at first until I encoded an audio book at low bit rate in itunes.

The Shuffle just locked up every time I tried to play one of the files.

It would appear that the shuffle does not like non itunes AAC files and even some none standard formats such as Variable Bit Rate won't work, even if they are encoded in itunes.

Apple can't be blamed for other software not creating files that work correctly, but they should not allow you to encode a file in itunes itself that does not work on its current hardware (at least they should warn you about any limitations)

[perdomot]

Well, I was able to take my shuffle back to the store and get a credit because I still had the box and stuff. I pointed out to the clerk that Apple knows about the flaw and lists it on their site but don't tell you about it up front. Since a big chunk of my music is aac files not encoded by itunes, I couldn't really use the shuffle and they gave me the credit. If you still have the box, try returning it and getting either the Nano or a refreshed Mini from the store.