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    I have an HP Mediasmart server running WHS and a an HP MediaSmart Connect device.   I'd like to be able to store my audio files on WHS and then play them on the MediaSmart Connect device but this is currently not doable.  The files are in m4a format and, as explained in Ken Warren's post of January 8th of 2008 - it seems WHS doesn't support .m4a streaming.

    I understand there are anti-competitor strategies to consider but the failure of Microsoft to support .m4a creates a significant hassle for customers (not for Apple).   I'm not a media expert by any stretch but I'm guessing m4a is the default format for iPod's since I can't remember ever changing it.  I would think I am a typical iPod user who has a significant library of audio media in this format.  Wouldn't it make sense for Microsoft WHS to support streaming this format - thereby allowing WHS to be the media server it is marketed to be?

    Is .m4a supported now and there is something I need to do on my WHS configuration to get it going?  If not, is there a plan to support .m4a streaming in the near future?


    Thanks
    Monday, January 5, 2009 2:06 AM

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    .m4a is not supported by Windows Home Server at this time, no. There are third party tools (Firefly, for example) that can stream .m4a files.

    As for future plans, Microsoft has not released any details about any future updates to Windows Home Server. So there's no way to answer that question.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Proposed as answer by Ken WarrenModerator Monday, January 5, 2009 5:32 PM
    • Marked as answer by Kazoo Monday, January 5, 2009 6:26 PM
    Monday, January 5, 2009 5:32 PM
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    Hi,

    The MediaSmart.net is the place for HP servers and their own Add-Ins, but have you ensured you have Guest access enabled for the relevant folders.

    Colin

    If anyone answers your query successfully, please mark it as 'Helpful', to guide other users.
    • Marked as answer by Kazoo Friday, January 23, 2009 9:33 PM
    Monday, January 5, 2009 6:40 PM
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    Hi Kazoo,

    Yes, PVConnect does stream m4a. I am currently streaming these to my PS3.

    One thing to note about streaming audio or video is when adding the 'tags' to your media files, don't use ID3 tag version 2.4 (or higher), stick with version 2.3. Otherwise you will not see any of the information from your tags showing in the streamed files.

    Originally the ID3 tag information was held at the start of the media file, but as of version 2.4 the tag information was moved to the end of the file for performance reasons. This has the side effect of the media player not being able to see the tag information until the whole file has been streamed.

    PS. iTunes gives you an option to convert your ID3 tags up or down through the versions.
    • Marked as answer by Kazoo Friday, January 23, 2009 9:33 PM
    Monday, January 12, 2009 4:55 PM

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    .m4a is not supported by Windows Home Server at this time, no. There are third party tools (Firefly, for example) that can stream .m4a files.

    As for future plans, Microsoft has not released any details about any future updates to Windows Home Server. So there's no way to answer that question.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Proposed as answer by Ken WarrenModerator Monday, January 5, 2009 5:32 PM
    • Marked as answer by Kazoo Monday, January 5, 2009 6:26 PM
    Monday, January 5, 2009 5:32 PM
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    Thanks Ken.

    I notice that the "PVConnect" add in that was provided by HP does support m4a according to its documentation.  I have the PVConnect installed and it appears on my playback device (HP MediaSmart Connect) but on every attempt to access it I get an "access denied" error.  I expect this is the sort of question that I should be asking of HP but have been unable to locate a forum or support resource targetting the MediaSmart Connect so far.  Does anyone here have any ideas on how to resolve the "access denied" error?  I have searched extensively but have not found another post reporting the problem.

    Thanks.
    Monday, January 5, 2009 6:31 PM
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    Hi,

    The MediaSmart.net is the place for HP servers and their own Add-Ins, but have you ensured you have Guest access enabled for the relevant folders.

    Colin

    If anyone answers your query successfully, please mark it as 'Helpful', to guide other users.
    • Marked as answer by Kazoo Friday, January 23, 2009 9:33 PM
    Monday, January 5, 2009 6:40 PM
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    Hi Kazoo,

    Yes, PVConnect does stream m4a. I am currently streaming these to my PS3.

    One thing to note about streaming audio or video is when adding the 'tags' to your media files, don't use ID3 tag version 2.4 (or higher), stick with version 2.3. Otherwise you will not see any of the information from your tags showing in the streamed files.

    Originally the ID3 tag information was held at the start of the media file, but as of version 2.4 the tag information was moved to the end of the file for performance reasons. This has the side effect of the media player not being able to see the tag information until the whole file has been streamed.

    PS. iTunes gives you an option to convert your ID3 tags up or down through the versions.
    • Marked as answer by Kazoo Friday, January 23, 2009 9:33 PM
    Monday, January 12, 2009 4:55 PM
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    Thanks guys.

    Both issues were in play. 

    Friday, January 23, 2009 9:34 PM