Frank Lowney

Q: Why do "enhanced" .m4a file fail to playback in iTunes U.app?

I have audio-only .m4a files in my iTunes U course that play back just fine in the iTunes U.app but "enhanced" .m4a files do not play back correctly.  I get:

Error

Playback Failed

 

An enhanced .m4a file (aka enhanced podcast file) is created in GarageBand and has images placed at arbitrary points along the timeline to accompany the audio.  Think of an annotated slide show (Keynote or PowerPoint).  These files play just fine in QuickTime Player X on MacOS X and in the Podcasts.app on iOS.  That is, you hear the audio and see the different still images. The images are different from album art.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4), 12 TB Disk Space

Posted on Sep 15, 2012 1:43 PM

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Q: Why do "enhanced" .m4a file fail to playback in iTunes U.app?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by dwaynen,

    dwaynen dwaynen Dec 7, 2012 8:02 AM in response to Frank Lowney
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2012 8:02 AM in response to Frank Lowney

    I have a very similar problem in that my enhanced podcasts WILL play in iTunes U but they don't show any of the enhanced features (no artwork, chapters, etc.)  In fact, they do the same in iTunes, but play perfectly in GarageBand and QuickTime.  This is very irritating because you CAN listen to the podcast but you can't see the pictures that are being discussed making the whole thing pointless.  I have seen other forums where it has been suggested that the podcast be saved as an .mov file and uploaded to YouTube but neither GarageBand nor Quicktime will allow me to save it in any sort of a video format.  Someone else suggested opening it in iMovie and changing the format but iMove won't open an .m4a enhanced podcast file.

     

    ANY suggestions from anybody would be appreciated.

  • by profxtjb,

    profxtjb profxtjb Dec 14, 2013 3:50 PM in response to dwaynen
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Dec 14, 2013 3:50 PM in response to dwaynen

    Just purchased an iPhone 5c, so I am experiencing the same problem: How does one view the artwork track of an enhanced audio podcast?

     

    I hate the idea that I have to use video .mov of my lectures.  Yes, I can do it, but, no, it is hateful to burn so many electrons!

  • by profxtjb,

    profxtjb profxtjb Dec 14, 2013 3:51 PM in response to Frank Lowney
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Dec 14, 2013 3:51 PM in response to Frank Lowney

    I use Profcast now, though I used to make my podcasts with GarageBand.