C#4.0 Issues playing .mp3 files over 192kbps using winmm.dll

Question

MCIERR_INTERNALI am trying to make a simple Media player inside an app, but I've noticed that my code WILL NOT play music unless the file is a low bitrate around 192kbps or less. The issue is that most of my music is around 260-320kbps.

Here's my code, if there's something I can do to up the 'available' bitrate options let me know, otherwise I'll need a new DLL suggestion please!

class MusicPlayer
{
    [DllImport("winmm.dll")]
    private static extern long mciSendString(string lpstrCommand, StringBuilder lpstrReturnString, int uReturnLength, int hwndCallback);

    private static void checkMCIResult(long code)
    {
        int err = (int)(code & 0xffffffff);
        if (err != 0)
        {
            throw new Exception(string.Format("MCI error {0}", err));
        }
    }

    public void open(string file)
    {
        string command = "open \"" + file + "\" type MPEGVideo alias MyMp3";
        checkMCIResult(mciSendString(command, null, 0, 0));
    }

    public void play()
    {
        string command = "play MyMp3";
        mciSendString(command, null, 0, 0);
    }
    public void pause()
    {
        string command = "stop MyMp3";
        mciSendString(command, null, 0, 0);
    }
}

**EDIT: -Winform application

-using Windows 7 sp1

-Using Visulal Studio 2013 community edition

-From error catching I now see the error number is 289, -256 = 22: MCIERR_INTERNAL, not sure what that's all about

[Error number](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa228215(v=vs.60).aspx) should be 277 for MCIERROR_INTERNAL. I'm here because of the very same error 277. Also don't subtract 256. That's silly, because see link. — Bitterblue, Aug 10 '16 at 09:29

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:16

This is not an inherent limitation in Windows, problems like these are environmental. A basic check-list:

Try this with a known-good MP3 file. That test file is encoded at 320 kbps. This helps eliminate a specific problem with your files, like a wonky DRM scheme that only permits playback on an approved player.
Make sure you run this code on an STA thread, the kind provided by a Winforms or WPF app. Not a console mode app, it requires the kind of code you find in this post.
Beware of having non-standard ACM drivers installed. There is a lot of junk out there, always treat "codec packs" with strong distrust. Review the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32 registry key, that's where ACM drivers are registered.
And last but certainly not least, you are blind as a bat as long as you are ignoring the return value of mciSendString(). When it fails, it produces an error code that tells you the reason.

A simple implementation of an error checker method:

    private static void checkMCIResult(long code) {
        int err = (int)(code & 0xffffffff);
        if (err != 0) {
            throw new Exception(string.Format("MCI error {0}", err));
        }
    }

Usage:

    public static void open(string file) {
        string command = "open \"" + file + "\" type MPEGVideo alias MyMp3";
        checkMCIResult(mciSendString(command, null, 0, 0));
    }

There are a lot of possible MCI errors, you'll find them listed in MMSystem.h file in the Windows SDK "include" directory on your machine. Like C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.1A\Include\MMSystem.h. Start at MCIERR_INVALID_DEVICE_ID, subtract 256 from the error code. Always mention your Windows and VS version btw.

thank you! I'll note I'm using Visual C# 2013 Community, This is a windows7 sp1 OS, and I am making a winform application. I'll take heed of your advise to look at what sorts of error reporting I;m getting when the files fail to play. You'll get the bounty in 21hr when I'm allowed to give it out. Thanks! — Medic3000, Nov 20 '14 at 18:50
The **known-good MP3 file** solved it for me. My first test mp3 had a creative commons license. Silly world -.- — Bitterblue, Aug 10 '16 at 09:34

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 20 '14 at 19:19

1

Ok, so I figured this out (thanks to @Hans Passant), the error code I was recieving was 277, Turns out there are problems with MCI and mp3's which had a large ID3(v2.x) tag - Album art, lyrics etc.

Coincidentally the 2 files causing me the trouble had album art, and completely filled out ID3 data (including Lyrics). So I'll be switching over to some other audio library for my needs

answered Nov 20 '14 at 19:19

Medic3000

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If you figured this out thanks to Hans' answer, you should mark his answer as the accepted one. Especially since you put a bounty on it. – Chuu Nov 20 '14 at 19:25
fair enough, I'd planned to give the bounty to him regardless. – Medic3000 Nov 20 '14 at 19:26

score 0 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

A typical problem with Windows API playing or not playing specific MP3 files is the following. One of the standard MP3 reading/parsing components has a [presumably?, I am under impression 16KB is in question] fixed size buffer to read initially, then skip tags and get to the real bitstream. With a lot of tags, the parser is unable to read the data and rejects the file as non-playable.

When played through DirectShow (for C# code, this would typically be playback through DirectShow.NET open source library), it is suggested to use another stock Windows component capable to read MP3 files, which is free from tag problem: Windows Media ASF Reader filter.

See related:

Even though it's a long standing issue, Microsoft years ago decided to not update standard MPEG-1 stream splitter and the problem basically exists in all Windows versions.

you didnt answer the question, I don't know what DirectShow is, but I was using Winmm.dll for my audio playback. This is non-helpful for me — Medic3000, Nov 20 '14 at 22:25

C#4.0 Issues playing .mp3 files over 192kbps using winmm.dll

3 Answers3