Device Compatibility Issues with Windows Media 9 Series (329865)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Media Format 9 Series SDK
Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK

This article was previously published under Q329865

This article discusses a Beta release of a Microsoft product. The information in this article is provided as-is and is subject to change without notice.

No formal product support is available from Microsoft for this Beta product. For information about how to obtain support for a Beta release, see the documentation that is included with the Beta product files, or check the Web location from which you downloaded the release.

SYMPTOMS

Some devices that use chips from NEC and ESS do not play back Windows Media audio content that is generated with the Windows Media 9 Series SDK, Encoder, or Player.

Some of the devices that use the NEC chip include car stereos from Aiwa, Kenwood, and Pioneer (models DEH-P9400 and DEH-P8400). Some of the devices that use the ESS chip include the Apex AD-1600/AD-2100 DVD player.

CAUSE

Content that is generated with the beta versions of the products listed in this article contain a header that cannot be interpreted by the NEC and ESS decoder.

RESOLUTION

If you have a device that is based on the NEC WMA decoder, you must regenerate any beta generated content with the final release of the player.

If you have an Apex DVD player, you must obtain a firmware update from Apex.

STATUS

The final version of the products listed in this article will encode WMA files that are compatible with devices based on the NEC decoder.

The Apex DVD players based on the ESS decoder will remain incompatible until the firmware has been updated.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	1/16/2004
Keywords:	kbDSWWMM2003Swept kbbug kbpending KB329865