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Ibook Author audio (AAC) media widget rejected in validation??

We have a complex image, video and music book from the Arctic created on ibooks author. Everything seems to validate through itunes producer on delivery except for this error message.


ERROR ITMS-9000: "Files of type audio/x-m4a are not allowed outside of widgets: assets/media/Arctic_master_music.m4p" at Book (MZItmspBookPackage)


We've done everything in widget sizing, placement, audio encoding to aac from QT, itunes and compressor. We can't get past there error? Is there a bug in the ibook author or am I missing someting.


Any ideas. The videos work fine, just the audio clip/


richard

Posted on Feb 23, 2012 8:22 AM

Reply
78 replies

Mar 1, 2012 11:51 AM in response to Richo

Did you ever figure this out? I had the same problem and it was very frustrating, but finally found a fix that at least worked for me.


No matter what I tried, I could load the clips in the widget, and even export as iBooks and play on my iPad. But it wouldn't validate with iTunes Producer.


I went through all the iTunes options (such as create AAC version, etc.) and still no luck.


The only thing that eventually worked for me was to open up each audio file in QuickTime. Then, I used the Export command, and exported each file as audio-only. This bumped up the file size slightly, but at last it worked.


The only weird thing was, I had six clips, and one, even with this work-around, still wouldn't validate. So I just dumped it and used another clip. But otherwise, I finally did get it to work. Hope this helps.

Mar 1, 2012 12:37 PM in response to MrBlobby1970

I started a ticket with apple and they suggested I send all the files and Ibook author file, so I decided to remove the offending audio first and submit the book. The book is fine without this audio for the time being.


The IBA book was delivered and is sitting in the que for quality control. This has been about 4 days and it's making me nervous as usual. But when the book gets online then I plan a revision to do what you suggest with the audio. But I did compress the audio out of Quicktime I thought, but also tried compressor and itunes, using the AAC defaults.


They (apple ibook support) didn't have any answers with our couple of emails that were sent. I'm sure it's on my end, since I did have the wrong wrapper on a couple of videos. Videos must be m4v.


But if you look at the error code as the next poster suggest it appears I have it in the wrong wrapper. But I know it was placed as a m4a. I unzipped the published book packaage and looked at the assets and the ibook compiler changed the wrapper on the audio from m4a to m4p. I had read somewhere that for Digital Rights Management, it changes it to m4p in the assets. Still, it doesn't return an unacceptable audio file, but this outside of the widget code. Humm.


Now this is really beginning to get over my head so maybe someone knows about this. But it definately changes it from my orginal to a m4p.

Mar 1, 2012 7:01 PM in response to Richo

But I know it was placed as a m4a. I unzipped the published book packaage and looked at the assets and the ibook compiler changed the wrapper on the audio from m4a to m4p... Now this is really beginning to get over my head so maybe someone knows about this. But it definately changes it from my orginal to a m4p.

FYI: I exported my test file and unzipped it also. Confirm the M4A (audio only) file extension was changed to MP4. However, the extension for a Podcast M4A was changed to M4V. Was also testing an M4V reference movie in the same project, but its extension remained M4V. M4A (audio only) content extensions in widgets also appear to be unchanged. (Need to check this further.) Am now wondering what happens to other media, HTML iframed media, or widget media after embedding in iBooks Author and/or if unchanged extensions in external widgets are the source of problems playing back widget embedded audio content in large projects—really a potential "can of worms" here.


User uploaded file

Mar 9, 2012 9:13 PM in response to Richo

I am also having the same problem with all my audio files. They are all original sound files, made in Garageband and brought into iBooks Author as m4a files exported through Quicktime. Everything works beautifully in on the iPad throough Preview, and validates through iTunes Producer, but when it comes to the upload, I get the "ERROR ITMS-9000: "Files of type audio/x-m4a are not allowed outside of widgets: message and then it names the file as an m4p file. The sound part of my book is crucial, so any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Mar 11, 2012 9:02 AM in response to K T

The book is about 340mb. A bit big, but has a lot of video. I think those of us with a lot of video and music content have a challenge between putting our wares out there or cutting it back for an easier download. I know less is more many times.


But we resubmitted the book to apple minus the audio (music) so the size dropped to 285mb and it was accepted with the video alone. Interestingly, they went over it with a fine toothed comb and sent it back for corrections, link issues and some metadata issues. It's back in the que for review. So this is all exciting but certainly no a slam-dunk if you have complex link, audio and video components. One the book is up, we are going to resend again with an audio update and see finally where the issue is.


Sorry for the long delay to your question. But the issue of a 30 min. music piece as far as length will be the question along with the "audio outside of widget" error. If anyone has insight please step forward.

Mar 11, 2012 9:16 AM in response to johnb47

John, as you can see by my previous response we haven't solved the audio error ITMS-9000, audio outside of widget. But we haven't forced the issue as of late.


We had so much video with audio, that we pulled the page with the music pieces. Our idea was to see if the book without the error on the audio would pass and it did. We had to make some other corrections and link fixes, but the video and images all passed. I was impressed that someone was actually going through page by page.


So once the book is up, we're going to start with the music (audio only) from scratch, strictly following the process that apple outlines. We will resubmit it and if it won't pass the error, then I have only one specific issue for myself and apple to deal with. I have a feeling it's something I'm doing in the music conversion, but we've compressed it from QT, from iTiunes and from compressor following their guidelines all with the same error of this audio placed within their media widget. Now maybe with their recent ibook author updates things have been fixed. See I have this little feeling it's a bug in ibook author compiler. But over many years where I jumped out and blamed someone and been wrong, I have to be sure it's me and not them.


So if anyone has had success in audio only book elements placed in ibook author media widget and successfully got it published, tell us your secret. Please. Or if others are having the same issue, then we need together to find an answer quickly.


Once I find the answer on this issue I'll be sure to post the steps to our success.

Mar 11, 2012 10:07 AM in response to Richo

Thanks for your reply, Richo. My book is166mb and contains about 15 small audio clips on some of the pages. I've done the clips in Garabeband and at one point the Apple tech thought the GB loops I was using may have been causing a DRM problem, hence the m4p designation to my m4a files. That doesn't seem to be the case. I've stripped out the loops, exported to iTunes and then into iBooks, I've even bypassed GB altogether and just used simple Quicktme test recordings, but I continue to get the same error message. The tech has promised me that he is working on it with his higher ups and I'm hoping this can be solved as soon as possible. I've put a lot into this and I'm excited about the opportunities that lie ahead if and when all this actually works. I will also post an snswer if I can get my project to load.

Mar 14, 2012 4:09 AM in response to Richo

Hi Guys. Same problem for me. "

ERROR ITMS-9000: "Files of type audio/x-m4a are not allowed outside of widgets: assets/media/2long1Short.m4p" at Book (MZItmspBookPackage) "


How can we have an audio file out of a widget ????

i cheked all the audio files. every thing is great, but with the last iTP update, no way to deliver again...???😢



and another mystery = > "

Mar 13, 2012. From Apple.

The book is locked in Landscape View and cannot be viewed in Portrait View."


So what is the use of the portrait or landscape lock button ???


if you guys have an idea.. 😕

Regards

Mar 14, 2012 12:58 PM in response to Corsicansailor

Dear Corsicansailor,


We too are waiting to figure out this error. Starting a new book with lots of audio, so this time we have to work this problem out with apple or whomever and I'll be sure to post the solution. I still think it's a bug.


Also, we had a book rejected with the "locked in lanscape view" as an issue. We deselected that to allow for portrait, but since we're an art book, not much sense. Like you said, why did IBAuthor give us the choice if it would create a rejection. I wish there was an easier way to communicate with Apple, since these ticket requests or inquiry are tedious and take time. We're into a almost 3 weeks now from our submission, corrections made and resubmitted and now waiting on Quality Control. Let me know if you have any luck with the audio please.


Richo

Mar 15, 2012 1:51 AM in response to Richo

Hi Richo.


it's a little bit hard to have a clear and followed conversation with the guys over the Atlantic....

The answer they gave me to solve either sound files problems and landscape or portrait view, having shown them the screen shots and all necessary details...

1 / Sound files : Please deliver again the package.... ???? What else George 😎


2 / Landscape and portrait : "Please deliver again, changing the primary book genre from Textbook to Book."

Ok, but what about the preview.... there is no preview possible in the Book genre.???


In the case i'm talking, i have 2 identical ibooks. The only difference betwen them is the language. French for the first which is on the store.. English for the second one, NOT on the store, but delivered at the same time and for which i have now to change primary genre.....

If someone as a solution, a contact , someone who can do something or explain exactly what to do, or happen, please tell us !😉


By the way Richo i'd like to know more about your Artic book.

Mar 16, 2012 8:42 AM in response to Richo

Greetings All,


We've appreciated the posts on this thread because we're experiencing the same problems. We have more than 90 audio files on nearly every page of our book which is a scene by scene analysis of Shakespeare's Macbeth.


We finally got the book to upload and it's currently under review by quality assurance. We tried dozens of the workarounds and suggested here on this thread and from Apple (I've crashed iBooks Author several times in the process and had to reinstall and rebuild the book from a backup version). The only thing that eventually worked is checking the "DRM Free" box in in the "Rights & Pricing" tab.


We won't have DRM protection, but at least the package is delivered.

Mar 16, 2012 9:19 AM in response to providence elearning

Interesting providence and thanks. I wouldn't have thought of trying that DRM FREE. I'm skittish on putting our book out with this since much of the music is soundtrack compositions with orginial stills and video and people love to get that into their own videos. But this is another discussion.


When we start on our next piece, we plan on going the original route and force the issue with Apple. The problem is the tech support issue on this. High technology on one hand with sanskrit communitcation over these tech issues.


I'm hoping the next version of IBA will address this audio issue, so this is why we're holding back rather then hit our head against the wall.


So thanks for posting this because it is a solution, albeit a limited one.

Ibook Author audio (AAC) media widget rejected in validation??

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