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Topic: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u) (Read 10786 times) previous topic - next topic
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Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

The playback of m4a format on several files have a gap at 3:10(minutes and seconds)or suddenly the track stops to switch to the following song. 
In addition to this, car radio doesn't recognize all folders/artists inside usb pen(only 180 about an overall of 230).
I'm using a 128gb usb pen and qaac 2.67 codec, 44,1khz 16bit, true variable bitrate quality 100(by dbpoweramp).
What can I do to have a normal playback?

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #1
Embedded AAC decoders tend to have poor compatibility in my experience, especially with encoders other than iTunes. Try some Apple files and see if they work better?

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #2
I have just ended to encode my music collection by qaac codec in the hope It was the trouble(before It was aac fdk). I wouldn't like to make it again. Other alternatives? Do you suggest other car radios?
 

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #3
M4A is a container. In your case it contains AAC.
I had more or less the same problem with android media players.
Songs missing, tags missing, etc.
I'm afraid Saratoga is right, the decoder is poor.
Kenwood says MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC
Take any none-AAC format.
I suggest high bit rate MP3 if you want a lot of tracks on a 128 gB stick
TheWellTemperedComputer.com

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #4
Could I re-encode my whole collection by Itunes?
aac qaac>aac itunes

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #5
Bit unclear to me as I don’t use iTunes
My workflow:
- almost all audio I have is lossless
- make a playlist
- choose the desired format conversion in the media player
- the media player (MusicBee) transcode (on the fly format conversion) to a portable
An example: http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/SW/Players/MusicBee/MusicBee_Sync.htm
Wouldn’t be surprised if iTunes can do the same
TheWellTemperedComputer.com

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #6
Thanks. I'll take a look.
What about other car radios?
Is It a trouble of all car radios theoretically able to playback aac/m4a files?

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #7
Can't tell you
Had bad luck with Android / AAC
In the car I use Bluetooth to play the audio on my portable.
TheWellTemperedComputer.com

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #8
No luck about Sony and now Kenwood.
I'll try Pioneer and Alpine since Jvc is very similar to Kenwood.
In case I'll post some feedback.
Thanks for replies.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #9
I've been using a Kenwood KMM-BT304, which looks somewhat similar to yours, and I didn't notice any issues with AAC playback (qaac). Although I only tried USB playback for a little while, I mostly use Bluetooth now.
Did you try updating the firmware? Different USB stick?

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #10
It seems interesting. Are you sure you used qaac? Which program did you use to make qaac?
Firmare is already updated. I made test with two usb sticks.
Could you test further qaac inside usb stick? I have 230 folder/artists inside my usb stick.
Let me know.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #11
Yes, qaac converted with Foobar as m4a files. I don't have 230 folders to test right now, but I can try playing your problematic files.

BTW, I remember on a completely different car radio there were problems with mp3s that had a disc number in the tags. Maybe check that there isn't anything weird or unusual in your files.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #12
Thanks for courtesy.
I have tried removing tags from m4a/aac files: no difference, same problems.
I'm waiting for your feedback.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #13
Good AAC compatibility usually means something running Apple, Android or Windows. AAC is a complicated, relatively high memory format which embedded decoders tend to struggle with. Rockbox is better than average but even then there are files we can't decode.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #14
Surprising, since AAC was born in 1997(according to wikipedia).

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #15
Well, I was able to reproduce the "gap at 3:10" bug, even with my own files. At first glance it seems to be related to either the file size or the track length (smaller files don't have this bug).
I probably didn't notice this bug before, but it's also possible it was introduced with one of the firmware updates.

I'll send an email to Kenwood, but I'm not holding my breath for a fix.

Let us know if you find a solution or a different car stereo that doesn't have this problem.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #16
Thanks for feedback and email.
For my car radio there is european and asian firmware.
Could I flash asian one?
Asian firmware is "te1806k.krm" while european one is "te1803k.krm".


Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #17
I've no idea. I doubt it would do anything to fix this issue, though.

BTW, Kenwood support replied to me and said they will look into it.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #18
Thanks for help.
Did you warn them about tracks suddenly stop to switch to the next one too?
In the meantime  I have returned Kenwood Kdc-bt530u and ordered an Alpine UTE-92BT.
We'll talk for feedback.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #19
Report for Alpine UTE-92BT.

Pros:
1)Audio quality is amazing.
2)m4a/aac playback is PERFECT!!! No gaps, no tracks suddenly stop to switch to the next one.

Cons:
1)Only subfolders(albums) are shown. No main folders(artists)!!!
2)Car radio doesn't recognize/show all subfolders(albums) inside usb pen.

What a pity!!!
I'm going to return it.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #20
I'm going to order Pioneer DEH-S510BT or MVH-S510BT.
We'll talk for feedback.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #21
The "modern way" is Bluetooth and a phone (or iPod or other audio player with bluetooth).

I have an iPod classic and two vehicles with iPod docks.    I chose that solution because at the time the iPod was a "standard interface" and anything with an iPod dock would "just work".     I installed a stereo in my van with an iPod dock and I got an iPod dock adapter for the factory stereo in my Honda.  

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #22
Yeah, when I was buying a new 1DIN unit last year I learned that the market is basically stuck in the past with little effort to innovate or polish the products. Software which just barely covers the specs on the box, but forget about gapless playback or ReplayGain or variable playback speed, sane folder navigation... As for the hardware, it's usually tiny plasticky buttons and crappy displays. 2DIN isn't much better, either. Can't get full Android unless you order some sketchy unit from China.

So Bluetooth seem to be the sanest option, as long as it connects reliably, which is not a given (I had issues with an older Alpine unit). And then you still run into problems like the volume on the phone suddenly dropping, because of "hearing safety" measures...
I better stop ranting now.

Let us know about the Pioneer.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #23
Thanks for comprehension.
I'll let you know.

Re: Playback troubles(m4a format) on Kenwood car radio(kdc-bt530u)

Reply #24
Report for Pioneer DEH-S510BT.

Pros:
1)Not as good as Alpine UTE-92BT but anyway great audio quality.
2)m4a/aac playback is PERFECT!!! No gaps, no tracks suddenly stop to switch to the next one.
3) All folders(main=artists; subfolders=albums) are shown.

Little Cons:
1)search modality could be better(I have to push "up arrow for" 2-3 seconds to show folders list).
2)when I turn off and on the engine the car radio takes a bit to recognize usb pen.

I have organized my music collection by 3 levels.
1)First level: alphabet letters for corresponding artist
2)Second level: artist folders
3)third level: album folders
Now It's easier browsing between folders.

I suggest to try it.

PS: all m4a/aac files made by dbpoweramp and codec qaac 2.67.