Anonymous

Comment #14 from Anonymous [Reply]

Thanks a lot for this! However, for complete clarity, you should say to download AND INSTALL the WMP Tag Support Extender plug-in.
Keep up the good work.

MHealy

Comment #15 from MHealy [Reply]

Thanks for pointing that out! I’ve updated the article to include that the WMP Tag Extender plug-in should be installed after it has been downloaded.

Anonymous

Comment #16 from Anonymous [Reply]

Thanks. I have my CD’s as a single flac file. WMC only shows each cd as 1 track and doesn’t show the embedded cover art. Any suggestions?

MHealy

Comment #17 from MHealy [Reply]

Unfortunately, WMP and WMC don’t currently support the .cue files to retrieve the track information from single flac files. There may be a possible work around using the MKV container but MKV would have to be added as an audio type. I’ll look into it and post a guide if I can figure it out properly.

As for flac album covers I believe this is a bug that is being currently being fixed by Microsoft. Once it is a folder.jpg file in the album directory should give you album art.

Anonymous

Comment #18 from Anonymous [Reply]

The codecs works with WMP32/64 but WMP Tag Support Extender Plug-in only works with WMP32. And the writer of the WMPTSEP does not have a 64bit version of Windows…

However funny thing is that with only the 64 flac codec and WMPTSE installed, they can be handled in WMP32, but it refuses to play them. They does however show up in WMP64 with art and all and can be played just fine Must be some shared library.

MHealy

Comment #19 from MHealy [Reply]

Yes, the library of WMP is shared with both 32 and 64 bit versions as well as Media Center. Changes made in any of these applications will be reflected in the rest. By this method using the plug-in through WMP x32 you can add the flac files to the library which can then be played in any of the applications as long as you have the correct codecs.

Anonymous

Comment #13 from Anonymous [Reply]

Thanks. I would not call it a minor omission that it does not support free and open source file formats. I would not call it easy to set up your MCE Media Center player by going through Windows Media Player. I would call it a royal pain in the ass. Again thanks to all who have taken their valuable time to make this possible. Pretty much, no thanks to Microsoft

sergyver

Comment #12 from sergyver [Reply]

In win media 12 a 64bits not working

SR

Comment #655 from SR [Reply]

I hate to say this but I really need to vent. I mean WTF, WTF? What’s the point of this crap? This shit totally blows.

First I tried to get WMP 32bit to read my Flacs and it after 24 hours of cranking my CPU up to 100% has barely added a thousand files. I have 30,000.

Then I went into WMC to see that even what little it has, it gives me an error that it can’t find the file.

WTF!!! F – Microsoft. What’s the point of having Direct Show support for codecs when nothing F’in works?

It’s F’in 2009 for heaven’s sakes. Get with the F’in program already.

This shit does not work. PERIOD.

If I load WMC up instead since it is 64 bit it will put everything in UNKNOWN. If I use WMP 32bit it takes its time in a way that if I left this on for a decade I cannot be sure it has found and cataloged my music. WTF?

Who do we talk to at MS about such a stupid retarded thing they should have taken care of already. I AM NOT USING WMA LOSSLESS. GO SUCK A DICK. I WILL STICK WITH OPEN SOURCE.

SR

Comment #656 from SR [Reply]

This shit sucks big donkey balls. Now as I delete my library to try again this POS garbage decides to “find” all my music again as I am deleting it this time only putting it straight into Unknown. I stopped the service “WMP Network Sharing” and the “client service for WMC” I mean how do I stop this shit from doing this. This is less control than those Apple morons are given over processes.

Give me a break this shit blows.

KV

Comment #818 from KV [Reply]

My friend, have a beer, stop venting and stop using beta software if you cannot deal with imperfection.

DDB

Comment #830 from DDB [Reply]

I think anger management classes are needed. Perhaps ‘I am dissapointed that I can’t get this to work’ is much more appropriate than expletives involving oral acts with lower animals gonads.

berg

Comment #1279 from berg [Reply]

I have a strange issue where WMP doesn’t add the FIRST TWO tracks from all of my FLAC encoded albums to the library. WMP can play them if I open it from explorer. But when I have it scan the folders to add to library, the first two from each of my 20+ FLAC albums is missing! Every other track is there with proper tags and all. I checked the tags in MP3tag and they all look correct. Can you think of any explanation/fix for this?

berg

@Reply #1280 from berg [Reply]

Guess I should say I’m on Vista Ultimate and WMP11. I see this is a windows7 post.

berg

@Reply #1281 from berg [Reply]

Turns out deleting the wmp ‘current database’ file from the appdata directory fixed my problem as well!

Although it does have odd behavior at first when I add a FLAC folder to the library (for example, doesn’t recognize the tags for half of the files from the folder I added, and puts them in ‘Uncategorized’ artist/album).

Now I just have to figure out how to handle the m4a files with the MP4 type tags.

Frnando Penido

Comment #1375 from Frnando Penido [Reply]

Thanks a lot. Great tutorial, step by step and quite simple.

PatSmith

Comment #1412 from PatSmith [Reply]

Hey this only works for about 1/3 of my 1,000 flac files. Any idea why?

mondo

@Reply #1413 from mondo [Reply]

I am able to play FLAC through Media Center on Win7 x86 RC. I just installed win7 codecs rather than following the tutorial above. The only issue that I am having is that there is a brief moment of silence between tracks. All of my FLACs are of live concerts so I would love to be able to achieve gapless FLAC playback. To those who used the method described in the tutorial – is FLAC playback gapless?

Anonymous

@Reply #1454 from Anonymous [Reply]

I’d like to know the answer as well. Does anyone have an ideas?

Michael Healy

@Reply #1455 from Michael Healy [Reply]

That’s truly odd. Flac is Flac and there really shouldn’t be any differentiating factors between them.

You could try a different Flac decoder such as madFlac (which is what Shark007 uses I believe). Alternatively, if you have FFDShow installed you could try enabling FLAC in the Audio settings and see if it picks up the slack for any reason.

Anonymous

Comment #1481 from Anonymous [Reply]

Thanks, Michael. Your suggestion was spot on. I had been using K-Lite codec pack, which in every other media player I’ve ever tried, including Vista Media Center, all of my lossless audio, (flac, ape, wv) had been supported. While the tag support showed the flac files in WMC, they would not play. After installing Shark’s codec pack, which includes madFlac, I am now in the lossless business once gain in WMC.

To the person who is only able to see or use only one-third of his flac files, instead of using the open-source “WMP Tag Support Extender plug-in,” use SoftPointer’s free “M4a/Flac/Ogg/Ape/Mpc Tag Support Plugin for Windows Media Player & Media Center v 1.1″

You can download it at http://www.softpointer.com/WMPTagSupport.htm

Be sure to uninstall the open-source version first. With the SoftPointer plugin, every last one of my lossless audio files is detected and properly picked up in WMP, and thus WMC. Such was not the case with the open-source plugin. I mean no disrespect to the author of that plugin, but in my instance, several thousand of my flac files showed up as “unknown.” This was not the case with the SoftPointer plugin. Hope this helps someone.

Rene Barto

@Reply #6227 from Rene Barto [Reply]

Don’t know about you guys, but tried the softpointer library, and still had many files classified in an unknown album, or everything under one. Tried another version which does work correctly.

Link is: http://bmproductions.fixnum.org/download/download.php?prog=WMPTagPlus&file=http://users.skynet.be/tim.debaets/software/WMPTagPlus-1.1.exe

t41

Comment #1701 from t41 [Reply]

I am using Shark’s codec pack and want to know if that also needs to be removed 1st and is there a way to get it to .shn files using SHN DirectShow Filter?

Thanks, t41

Michael Healy

@Reply #1704 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Using Shark’s codec pack you should already be all set to play back Flac files. I’m not sure whether or not SHN files are supported by default in Shark’s pack or not.

Shark007

Comment #1705 from Shark007 [Reply]

Like so many other people, simply by being a regular reader of Hack7MC, alot can be learned. Until just now, I have never heard of the audio format, SHN. I did some research and can tell you that in my next release for Windows 7 which will be Version 1.2.0, SHN will be fully supported in Media Center and WMP.

t41

Comment #1707 from t41 [Reply]

Thanks shark – that is great , I guess then you already know about the mkv thing and the flac tags in wmp.

Sounds good to me – thanks a lot for quick response

Shark007

Comment #1708 from Shark007 [Reply]

Concerning FLAC and MKV: The fact the people are screwing up thier own systems is not new information to me. A default install of my software handles FLAC and MKV properly. If they choose to use some kind of tag supporter or registry hack is not my problem, it is thier own problem. I do not know how to fix thier systems. Possibly the creators of the tag supporter or registry hacks can advise them on how to correct them. Also, a default installation of my software DOES NOT do file associations although I do provide an interface to associate to WMP in the Help TAB of the 32bit Settings Application. If you are a 64bit user and have set the x64 player as default the file association feature of the 32bit application will associate all new filetypes to the x64 player.
BTW: This isnt the place for support og my software. People who feel my software isnt acting properly should be taking thier issues to my http://shark007.net/forum

Shark007

Comment #1709 from Shark007 [Reply]

One more thing, using Xiph’s installers will screwup the WMP file open dialog by destroying the mediatype dropdown. If you have used Xiph’s installer in the past, installing my software, after removing Xiphs (my software includes Xiphs), my software will repair the damage done by Xiphs installer. I do not own an extender, I can not test this interface.

Michael Healy

Comment #1710 from Michael Healy [Reply]

I’ve never had any trouble getting MKV or Flac playback using Shark007’s packs working straight away. I’d never heard of the SHN format previously either and had to look it up as well.

I’ve updated the post a bit to cover using FFDShow audio as the decoder and adding madFlac for 32-bit users as well.

t41

Comment #1712 from t41 [Reply]

TY – will await the update from shark – thanks

Shark007

Comment #1715 from Shark007 [Reply]

I’m sorry to bring you bad news of the SHN codec. It causes windows explorer to crash in Windows 7 so it will only be added to my Vista release. When I spoke earlier I had tested it on a Vista machine and all was fine. I have since installed W7 7260 and as soon as you enter a directory containing a SHN file windows explorer crashes.

Once again: Windows 7 will NOT be getting SHN support.

t41

Comment #1718 from t41 [Reply]

why – what reason for no support – I’m no t a pc programmer or engineer but that is like sayin i refuse to build the twin towers because i personally cannot figure out the engineering.
You guessed it, I am a General contractor, because an engineer would not speak this way. Well mt brother works on the hubble for the past decade and what they siad cant or wont be done HAS!

DO NOT GIVE UP
a little research and maybe fortitude will bring you above the rest. Why is it crahing? must be a reason, and therfore a solution.

into why the system is crashing would help explain the sudden “not gonna happen” attitude- what goes with ape then? flac? should i just keep using http://www.softpointer.com/WMPTagSupport.htm

know what i am tied having to work, but do not understand the reason why it will not happen at all.
that is MICROSOFT WORDING
I respect you Shark, but WTF?

Michael Healy

Comment #1719 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Should probably take this over to Shark’s forums, it’s getting fairly off the original topic of this guide. It’ll be easier for Shark to manage that way as well. I’m sure if a solution comes along it’ll be implemented in Shark’s pack. I’ll keep looking for possible solutions as well.

Shark007

Comment #1721 from Shark007 [Reply]

If you can find me an shn codec that doesnt crash windows explorer on Windows 7 machines I’ll gladly incoorperate it into my software distribution.

This is an EXTREMELY old format that is no longer developed. The codec I have is from 2003. I truly doubt you’ll find anything newer.

Shark007

Comment #1722 from Shark007 [Reply]

Sorry about that Mike, i was typing, got distracted, returned and hit submit

Michael Healy

@Reply #1724 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Not a problem, I’m usually doing ten things at once myself (at least). Just think it would be much easier to manage the topic under a forum type setup versus a simple comment system like we have here.

Shark007

Comment #2105 from Shark007 [Reply]

Just a tidbit for your users Mike.

My newest release of the x64 Components addon supports playback of standalone FLAC audio files in x64 Media Center. Previously my x64 release only supported FLAC audio if it was in a container such as MKV.

cw-kid

Comment #2242 from cw-kid [Reply]

Michael

Why do you need to delete the WMP library first? Just wondering,

Also this looks like a newer version 1.4 of the Tag Support plugin see here: http://wmptagext.sourceforge.net/

I am assuming it is the same plugin it looks like it.

I’m going to try this guide will let you know how I get on!

Cheers

Stuart.

cw-kid

Comment #2243 from cw-kid [Reply]

Maybe they are different add-ins:

WMPTagSupport11.exe = 1045KB
Installer Image
WMPTagSupportExtender.1.4.msi = 343KB
Intaller Image

Looking at other guides on the net some say use one add-in other guides I’ve seen say to use the other add-in. Not sure which is best?

cw-kid

Comment #2244 from cw-kid [Reply]

I’m trying to set this up on a Vista Media Center not Seven, I decided to install WMPTagSupport11.exe after reading the other comments on this thread.

I can now see my album that is flac in the WMP11 library but when I play it, it says: Windows Media Player cannot play the file, the player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file.

I have FFDShow installed and enabled the Flac codec.

cw-kid

Comment #2246 from cw-kid [Reply]

OK I’ve got it working now, I am not using Shark007 Vista Codec pack on this particular machine.

I am using FFDShow Tryouts Beta6 / Haali Media Splitter.

I disabled the Flac codec in the the FFDShow audio config again and then installed the madFlac codec
and now it’s playing flac files in WMP11 and VMC.

I didn’t delete my WMP11 library either.

Probably easiest overall to just use Shark007 however.

Michael Healy

@Reply #2248 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Deleting the library won’t be necessary in most cases but I’ve had an instance or two where the library wasn’t updating properly until I cleared it so I included it in the directions.

Originally the guide only covered the alternative codecs, madflac and xiph’s open source codec, but I figured those with FFDShow installed might prefer to just use it instead.

Anonymous

@Reply #4216 from Anonymous [Reply]

IT WORKED, win7 x64
Disabling ffdshow flac decoder
Installed oogcodecs

clsid

Comment #2252 from clsid [Reply]

ffdshow can only decode FLAC audio that is present in a container, such as Matroska (mkv). It is not able to play .flac audio files.

Michael Healy

@Reply #2253 from Michael Healy [Reply]

Why is that? Seems incredibly backwards. 8|

Greed

Comment #2421 from Greed [Reply]

Thanks for this.

runemail

Comment #2588 from runemail [Reply]

Cannot get this to work as expected!

Followed this guide and:

Flac is imported to library, and shows up right with correct tagging and metadata, but:

If I start WMP12 first none of my flac will playback in WMP12 or 7WMC. Get the error: “Windows Media Player cannot play the file, the player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file.” in WMP12.

But if I start the file from explorer without loading WMP or WMC first, it plays without any issues. and from there i can play all flac from library and even open WMC and playback from there as well.

The difference is that Tag Support Plugin for Media Player does not load when i Start WMP this way!
Tried to deactivate the plugin but to no effect.

Anyone have any clues?

toon

Comment #2962 from toon [Reply]

“If I start WMP12 first none of my flac will playback in WMP12 or 7WMC. Get the error: “Windows Media Player cannot play the file, the player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file.” in WMP12.

But if I start the file from explorer without loading WMP or WMC first, it plays without any issues.”

I have the same problem, but also when I start a flac file from explorer and then try to play .ape files in my library, it doesn’t work. My .ape files play without issues in any other situation (using RadLight APE filter). So I effectively have a less than fully functional WMP no matter what I do.

vICTOR

Comment #3099 from vICTOR [Reply]

i agree. what kind ofa bullshit is this?
flac doesnt really play in WMP 12 on Winblows 7 X64.
Clicking from explorer is ok, but when navigating the WMP library and clicking from there doesnt work — says unsupported file or codec problem.
Media Center doesnt play em at all.

Michael Healy

Comment #3108 from Michael Healy [Reply]

If playing files from Windows Explorer allows FLAC to play inside WMP but once you’ve loaded the player first they no longer play it’s likely a conflict with a process or plugin being loaded by WMP itself and not a codec issue. I haven’t had time to look into this yet with an RTM version of Windows 7.

vICTOR

Comment #3248 from vICTOR [Reply]

I dont see any 32-bit processes running in Task Manager.

Michael, can you please look into a fix?

If you need a source for Win 7 x32 or x64, let me know.

anonymouse

Comment #3322 from anonymouse [Reply]

I followed the instructions and I can play FLAC files with WMP but I still get an error message in windows media center. Any thoughts?

dg

Comment #3892 from dg [Reply]

a new tag support extender will be ready soon.

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=75123

Arachnid

Comment #4206 from Arachnid [Reply]

Thanks for this post. Things are working fine on my Windows 7 WMP 12. The only problem is that WMP doesn’t detect any album or artist info from the .flac files.

Btw, I do believe that a simpler thing to do is to use VLC media player for all kinds of audio/video formats. It’s awesome, handles every type of file, and has never ever troubled me, be it on Windows or on Linux.

Ericovan

Comment #4464 from Ericovan [Reply]

Windows 7 & WMP
Works like a charm if all directions are followed.

Big Kev

Comment #4924 from Big Kev [Reply]

Thanks for the instructions!

Works well on Win7 x64 so far .. not tried the 64bit player though!

Steven

Comment #5000 from Steven [Reply]

Thanks, this stuff rocks

popcorn

Comment #5103 from popcorn [Reply]

Is there a way to get FLAC to play over an Xbox360?

What is the best way to convert FLAC on the fly for playback on the 360.

Win7 64 bit

Thanks

random

Comment #5131 from random [Reply]

I just tried the M4a/Flac/Ogg/Ape/Mpc Tag Support Plugin and it didn’t work for me (I’m running windows 7 ultimate x64) I did some searching on the internet and checked the HydrogenAudio website and someone has started developing a new plugin that was designed for WMP 11 and 12. It’s called WMP Tag Plus. Here is the main website: http://bmproductions.fixnum.org/index.htm?http://bmproductions.fixnum.org/wmptagplus/

Bryce Thomas

Comment #5138 from Bryce Thomas [Reply]

I’ve recently gotten .flac files playing in Windows Media Player 12 on Windows 7 Ultimate x64. I’ve just finished writing a guide at http://www.codeemporium.com/2009/11/26/convincing-flac-files-to-play-in-windows-media-player-12/ for getting .flac files playing in Windows Media Player 12 that I think simplifies some of the steps shown here by giving people a single set of short instructions to follow, regardless of whether they are using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Cheers, Bryce.

toon

Comment #5162 from toon [Reply]

Bryce Thomas’s link has the answer to my, and a few other peoples’ problem. Just uninstall the 64-bit codec and install the 32-bit one, even if you have 64-bit windows. I’m running Windows 7 64-bit and everything works fine now.

Anonymous

@Reply #5216 from Anonymous [Reply]

I ran into the exact same issue – even though I was running 64-bit windows 7, the 32-bit WMP was the default player. Installing the x86 codec from Xiph and starting WMP again worked for me as well.

John

Comment #5319 from John [Reply]

indeed, one solution is to install 32-bit codec and use only 32-bit WMP.

a better solution (for Win7 x64) :

1. install 64-bit codec from xiph (flac,etc)
2. install tag support plugin

If you want Media Center to work as well, then

3. go to C:\program files (x86) and rename “Windows Media Player” to something else e.e.g “WMP32″. Then copy “Windows Media Player” folder from C:\Program Files\.

This will force Media Center to run 64-bit WMP. If you have 64-bit codecs instaleld, now both WMP x64 and Media Center will play flacs, etc.

PS. Be sure to update your WMP shortcuts as well (start menu, etc) to point to 64-bit WMP (in c:\program files\Windows media player”

toon

Comment #5460 from toon [Reply]

I would do that if I had a 64-bit codec for .ape files, but I don’t. If anyone knows of one, let me know.

Aien

Comment #5801 from Aien [Reply]

Hi John,

thank you for this help, it runs perfect!

Geilomat!

Greatings from Germany

Randyboy99

Comment #5889 from Randyboy99 [Reply]

Just wanted to say thanks

Don

Comment #5919 from Don [Reply]

Everything works great for me. Except, no cover art.
Any fix for that issue yet?
VMC 32-bit

Rene Barto

Comment #6228 from Rene Barto [Reply]

I don’t know about you guys, but with the WMPTagSupport11.exe tag support from SoftPointer I still had either all files in one album, or a few in an Unknown album.
I finally installed this plugin, as also advertised by hydrogenaudio, and that works perfectly for me!

sleepy314

Comment #6423 from sleepy314 [Reply]

thanks for the tip.
i am on 64bit windows 7.
just downloaded, installed, and now i can play my flac files, no problems…
i gave the guys a few $$ for the good work.

Hypersolar

Comment #6603 from Hypersolar [Reply]

Thanks, it took seconds to install and worked instantly

gadgetzilla

Comment #6640 from gadgetzilla [Reply]

I have windows 7 x64. Unfortunately, the steps above did not work for me. I could not hear any audio.

As a test, I only ripped 5 CDs to FLAC format and added to my windows media player library. The startup time for Winow Media Player was pretty long. I can only imagine if I add all my 1200+ CDs as FLAC, it would take forever for it to open. I plan to rip 5 more and see how much time more it takes. If the load up time is completely unacceptable, ultimately, that is going to be the deal breaker for me – to not use WMP / WMC for FLAC.

Given that, I still proceeded with my testing to make FLAC work under Win7 Windows Media Player as well as Windows Media Center.

The only way I could get any audio from a FLAC file was to uninstall the CODEC suggested above and installing Shark007 codec. With that, I was able to hear the audio.

One minor issue, which I believe someone else already identified. When playing a particular song from a ripped CD. The song timer stays a 0:00. If anyone knows how to fix that – that would be AWESOME to know.

Thanks

Jerome Curran

Comment #6643 from Jerome Curran [Reply]

I have created a library of flac files on media player but the files are playing randomly. I like to listen to a full album/cd on my media player but the songs are playing randomly. Can you help me with this problem.

Thanks,

Jerome Curran

mhconley

Comment #6644 from mhconley [Reply]

Great write-up. You can also use the “official” flac codec from Sourceforge instead of the madflac one. WMP will complain that it can’t play the files but tell it to ignore the error and they play fine.

Schecter

Comment #6729 from Schecter [Reply]

Thank you so much! This plugin worked perfectly for me!

Ohmygosh thank you

srn

Comment #7126 from srn [Reply]

Does this work for shared libraries? I have my flac files playing fine on a local machine running vista. But when I use a win7 laptop to access the shared library, I can see the files but they don’t play.

Rompabear

Comment #7875 from Rompabear [Reply]

Can I return to GAPLESS FLAC.

I can play FLAC files gapless on my windows phone using pocket player – but can’t play them at home without gaps on my windows media centre?

Can anyone recommend a gapless FLAC decoder please.

Dumfy

Comment #7996 from Dumfy [Reply]

Hi All

Just found this site. What a fantastic resource of information!

Just built a new PC with Win 7 x64 and have installed Shark Codec Pack and x64 Update. All FLAC and APE files play in WMP 12.

I have the Unknown artist problem mentioned earlier, but only after I’ve ripped to FLAC using Roxio Media Creator 2010.

I did have Unknown Artist probs with older FLACS I had but since installing the plug-in mentioned above from Softpointer it now works – tho some automatically come up in a Playlist and others don’t. What’s causing that? Any ideas?

So two extra questions……

Why am I getting Unknown Artrist after ripping to FLAC with Roxio?

What’s the difference between WMA Lossless and FLAC/APE Lossless? If I used WMP12 to rip to WMA Lossless
would I still get these Unknown Artists issue?

Hope I’m not treading on any toes, but is there a reluctance to use WMA just because it’s from M$

Thanks again for a great site and info

Revrant

Comment #8111 from Revrant [Reply]

Well I installed it and I’m getting some bad audio distortion on the FLAC files, almost like reverberating bass, can’t fix it, oh well.

Guess I’ll have to use a third party player.