M4A files and Safari

Question

Level 2

180 points

M4A files and Safari

i have just started making podcasts and i am trying to make mp3 files as well as m4a files.

when i click on a link to the uploaded m4a file, it just gives me a load of code in my safari browser window, BUT on a windows computer it starts an immediate download because it is recognized as an audio file. mp3 files play and download fine.

how do i alter the m4a file when i create it to work properly in safari?
im using ilife 06's garageband to create the m4a file by using the "export to disk" feature ( as opposed to the send to iTunes feature)...

thx...

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jul 30, 2006 7:17 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 30, 2006 7:30 AM in response to Erich Meatleg

When you get "code" instead of music it means the server doesn't use the proper MIME settings (or they are not properly configured).
Many servers (the place you're uploading the file) don't know much about .m4a extension.
It could also be improper html page code. Could you post a link so we can check it?

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Answer 2

Erich Meatleg Author

Level 2

180 points

Jul 30, 2006 7:38 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

m4a: http://oceanboom.com/podcasts/Oceanboom-Episode-1.m4a
mp3: http://oceanboom.com/podcasts/Oceanboom-Episode-1.mp3

its my site, so lemme know what i need to tell the server guys...

it has pics in the file that you can see if you DL it to iTunes...

also, if you listen to all of it: There is no merchandise section on the site yet, and we are not selling CDs on the site yet, so don't be confused when you hear that in the podcast. I am updating the site to include these features but I had to make the podcast first because I was in Wakayama near my friend's band, and I had to interview them when I had the chance.

thx

PS - why does it automatically DL for windoze? is the server geared towards windows OS?

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Answer 3

Jul 30, 2006 7:48 AM in response to Erich Meatleg

The problem is obvious (to me, anyway). You are directly linking to the files and not giving the browser the proper "instructions".
The instructions are used to tell the browser how to handle the file (download, display or call a plug-in). To use the .m4a file extension you'll want to call the QuickTime browser plug-in. You do this with special html code (object and embed tags) or javascript.
More info at these links:
http://developer.apple.com/internet/ieembedprep.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61011
You could bypass this code and use "direct" links but only if you instruct your page visitors to "right-click" and download the file.

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Answer 4

Erich Meatleg Author

Level 2

180 points

Jul 30, 2006 7:58 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

cool.. ill try that later....
thanks
but,
even if i right click on the file, i still get a text file when i try to download it...
unless i am not using safari.... is safari not the cause of the problem?

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Answer 5

Jul 30, 2006 8:24 AM in response to Erich Meatleg

Yep. I just tested (Control-click) on your .m4a file. The download window showed an iTunes icon for a split second and then it reverted to text (.txt).
This means that your server isn't configured for .m4a file extensions.
You'll need to contact them and ask them to add the .m4a extension to there MIME configurations.
http://www.javascriptkit.com/howto/htaccess9.shtml
Send them the link above.
You could set the page code to "force" the QuickTime plug-in be used by using the special qtsrc="blah.m4a" tag. Use the info found at the links in my first post to understand how it's done.

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Answer 6

Erich Meatleg Author

Level 2

180 points

Jul 30, 2006 5:36 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

is it possible to plug in this code into a blog article? or only into a standard webpage. i tried to paste qtsrc="myfilename.m4a" into the "a href" brackets so that didnt work....

i just want mac users to be able to DL this m4a file by clicking on a link from my blog, for now.

does the blog (blogspot) have to be properly configured too?
thanks

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Answer 7

Jul 30, 2006 5:48 PM in response to Erich Meatleg

You need object and embed tags to call the QT plug-in. It is the only way an .m4a file can be used from your server because it doesn't support the extension.
You have two options:
Stop using the .m4a file extension (continue with .mp3).
Archive (.zip) your .m4a files and load these on your server. The .zip file will always download to the computer.
Many of your visitors (mostly Mac users) will still have your .mp3 file play back via QuickTime. They will not be able to save this file once the QT plug-in displays it for playback unless the own QT Pro (allows saving).
If your visitors want to save the .mp3 they will have to be instructed to right click on your "direct" link in which case you don't need the object and embed tag code. But you must instruct them. A click may open the file in a new browser window. They must right click to save the file.

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Answer 8

Erich Meatleg Author

Level 2

180 points

Jul 30, 2006 6:14 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

awesome. thatll do... i have lots of pics inbedded in the podcast and they dont ALL show on the mp3 version (only the first picture shows). the zip file idea works great...
thx a lot..

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Answer 9

Erich Meatleg Author

Level 2

180 points

Oct 27, 2006 9:47 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

one more question,
i have posted the files via iweb, but i wanna make a feed on my actual website that will allow me boradcast the podcast cheaper than .mac allows. have you ever used or heard of Feeder?
http://reinventedsoftware.com/feeder/
i am going to try to use this, do you think it will be successful in allowing mac users to download podcasts from my server if i am successful in creating an RSS feed?
thanks a gain

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