up vote 2 down vote favorite
3
share [g+] share [fb]

Is there a good plugin or codec that allows Media Player/Media Center on Windows 7 to play Apple Lossless (ALAC) encoded files? As the files are shared between multiple iTunes installations and one Media Center I don't want to transcode them. Bonus points for proper meta data parsing. :)

link|improve this question
50% accept rate
isn't wmp in 7 supporting m4a out of the box? – OrangeRind Sep 19 '09 at 4:51
@OrangeRind Apparently .m4as are okay, Windows Explorer is even reading the meta data on its own. ALAC isn't supported though. – deceze Sep 23 '09 at 3:31
feedback

7 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted
+75

Install K-Lite Codec pack.

Supported formats include:

  • AVI (.avi .divx)
  • MPEG-PS (.mpeg .mpg .m1v .m2v .mp2v .mpv2 .evo .m2p)
  • MPEG-TS (.ts .m2ts .m2t .mts)
  • Matroska (.mkv .mka)
  • MP4 (.mp4 .m4v .mp4v .mpv4 .k3g .mqv)
  • Ogg (.ogm .ogv .ogg .oga)
  • DVD/VCD/XVCD (.ifo .vob .dat)
  • Flash Video (.flv)
  • QuickTime (.mov .hdmov)
  • RealMedia (.rm .rmvb .ra .ram)
  • 3GP (.3gp .3gpp .3g2 .3gp2)
  • MP3 (.mp3)
  • MPEG-4 Audio (.m4a .aac)
  • FLAC (.flac)
  • Musepack (.mpc .mpp)
  • WavPack (.wv)
  • OptimFrog (.ofr .ofs)
  • Monkey's Audio (.ape .apl)
  • True Audio (.tta)
  • Apple Lossless Audio Codec (.alac)
  • AC3/DTS (.ac3 .dts)
  • AMR (.amr)
  • AMV (.amv)
  • (.xm .s3m .it .umx)
link|improve this answer
I'll give it a shot later. It seems they're using DC-Bass Source for ALAC playback, which I already tried as a standalone install and it failed. I hope they sprinkled some magic dust on it to make it work. – deceze Sep 30 '09 at 8:32
3  
As a general rule I don't install "codec packs" on my computers and wouldn't recommend anyone else do this either. They are treasure troves for (ad|spy)ware. – jtimberman Sep 30 '09 at 15:54
2  
@jtimberman I agree, I dislike codec packs as well, but K-Lite seems rather legitimate and if it fixes my problem, I'd be happy. I'll try it on a test system first before messing with my media center, haven't found the time yet though. – deceze Oct 1 '09 at 1:49
1  
Tried it on a pretty clean install of 7, didn't work. Apparently there's no extra magic dust in there that isn't in the standard DC-Bass Source. Has anyone actually got this to work? – deceze Oct 2 '09 at 1:01
1  
Any update on this ? – Sathya♦ Oct 5 '09 at 20:12
show 1 more comment
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

http://www.orban.com/plugin/ free as in beer, but.. kinda hidden away. There's a little button there about midway through the page. That should let WMP run it perfectly.

link|improve this answer
I just tried it briefly and WMP gave me a "Problems playing back this file" message. Not sure if I have something in there that conflicts with it or if I need to restart or slaughter a lamb or something. I'll have to look into this again later, but do you have any extra advise by any chance? :) – deceze Sep 19 '09 at 22:40
well, it just worked for me. I suppose re-booting wouldn't hurt. – Journeyman Geek Sep 20 '09 at 13:31
I poked around it some more and it just doesn't do it. It seems to be for AAC only, no mention of Apple Lossless. – deceze Sep 23 '09 at 3:27
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

@deceze : This will play Apple Lossless in WMP12 (or 7MC), but it involves a few changes

  1. Uninstall any codec packs (K-Lite, Shark) etc that you don't really need.

  2. Make sure Quicktime is installed. While iTunes will not be used to play these files, we need to install a directshow filter that will use the quicktime codec to play back Apple Lossless files. (Don't worry, this will not be a major resource hog)

  3. Install the quicktime directshow filter from http://www.riverpast.com/en/prod/quicktime/.

  4. Rename the .m4a file to .mp4 and play in WMP12. This will be added to the library. You can use a batch renamer to rename all the files.

This solution will still work when you are syncing iPod/iPhone using iTunes.

Do tell us if this works for you.

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

The advice on the answers.microsoft.com page:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-sound/apple-lossless-m4a-in-wmp12/d68a4dc0-224a-43b6-adfb-52402106b53b

Basically they say install the DC-Bass Source Filter and you should be able to play the files.

Unfortunately, if the files have an "m4a" extension they appear in the Other Media section rather than in Music.

The suggested 'solution' is to rename your files to "mp4" but when I do that the files no longer play.

"alac" extension files don't appear at all.

Not really a solution, but hopefully information that might help the community get one step closer.

Oh, and Microsoft, if you're reading this, Apple Lossless is now open source, so I'm sure there's some way you can bundle it into windows media player.

link|improve this answer
Thanks for an answer not requiring a pack, it works perfectly in MPC-HC to play Apple Lossless m4a files (with the goal of applying ffdshow audio mixer on it)! – mtone May 20 at 18:53
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

Codecs packs can be evil, but i prefer to install simply the ones i need

I use free-codecs.com

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/3ivx.htm - This will allow .m4a playback
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/DirectShow_FilterPack.htm - This will allow .ALAC playback

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

The QuickTime directshow filter from Riverpast should work.

It does not work with ALAC (apple lossless music)

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote -3 down vote

Go for http://www.foobar2000.org/ !

With the right plugins and individualization it'll be far better than the clunky, stupid Media Center/Player.

Examples how it can look: http://customize.org/foobar

link|improve this answer
While I agree with you, the question seemed pretty targeted for WMP. – Diablomarcus Sep 19 '09 at 12:51
Maybe so, maybe he'll ditch the WMP..*shrug*. Can't hurt to suggest something. – Don Salva Sep 19 '09 at 12:53
I know you Foobarers love your Foobar, but I'm asking about Windows Media Center. I wouldn't touch WMP with a ten-foot pole if I'd have the choice, but unfortunately it's a necessary evil for Media Center. :) – deceze Sep 19 '09 at 22:43
You can make your Foobar to a Center, you know ;). A Foobar Center :P. Just a question of plugins. Or if you want, try Songbird ( getsongbird.com ) – Don Salva Sep 25 '09 at 7:49
Is there a plugin for recording TV...? >:-P – deceze Sep 28 '09 at 7:07
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.