Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

No Duration stated on some music files

Jul 18, 2012 4:56PM PDT

I use XP.
Some of my music files, on my external drive, have no duration on my home pc. Windows media player will not play them but VLC will play them.
If I plug my external drive into my pc at work (also XP) then the duration is stated.
How can i get duration to be shown on my home pc

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
That's proper. It's NOT a bug.
Jul 19, 2012 3:36AM PDT

Windows and WMP only know a limited number of music encodings.

There are CODECS that may help but before you do this be aware that some CODECS contain trojans. Be sure of your source for these CODECS.

I hope you know what a CODEC is. I will get the short version of "It's like a driver for music and other files for WMP." I'm sure folk will jump all over me for such a simple explaination.

--> Look up MEDIA INFO and let it look at a file that didn't work. Now google for that CODEC if MEDIA INFO didn't offer one.
Bob

- Collapse -
No Duration
Jul 19, 2012 5:09PM PDT

Hi Bob

Thanks for your reply.

Will try it over the weekend.