vB Easy Archive - E815: Problems playing audio files from browser

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E815: Problems playing audio files from browser
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Posted by: Cablestein

I am trying to play MP3 or MIDI files through the web browser ont he Motorola E815. I get mixed results.

When I select an MP3 link (I have a basic WML page on a private server) the file gets downloaded and the media player opens up. But there's no audio to be heard, and it looks like a dead file (no content). I have tried Layer 1, Layer2, very small files like 4kb, 2 seconds long.

When I select a MIDI link, the device gives me an error: "File Type Not Recognized" instead. It doesn't download or go to the player.

This MIDI error is strange because this device definately supports basic MIDI playback through the media player: If I go to the sounds folder I see tons of pre-loaded MIDI's and they play in the media player just fine.

This is a Motorola E815 using Bell Mobility here in Toronto, Canada.

Conversely, the Motorola V710 plays an MP3 and MIDI through the browser just fine (Telus). What's up with that?

Posted by: jlbrightbill

The Bell Mobility E815 has issues with audio through the browser, post this in the stickied E815 thread in the Bell forum and they should be able to help you out.

Posted by: computerwiz222

i have the same issues with mine...

Posted by: Cablestein

Ok I found a solution. Not sure if this was listed in the forum before, but I haven't seen people talking about it much so I assume not.

The E815 seems to need a descriptor file for the MP3 (and other media files too?) to be able to download it. This is similar to a JAD file for a J2ME jar application. The descriptor follows a standard called OMA (Open Media Alliance). Search the net about it.

ALSO I found that the E815 doesn't seem to support Mpeg 2 Layer 3 (with my settings anyways). This is what some free software and uploaders seem to produce for it...? Once I made my MP3 into Mpeg 1 Layer 3, the file played. Has anyone else gotten an Mpeg2 Layer 3 to play?

A descriptor file is built like this:

Code:

<media xmlns="http://www.openmobilealliance.org/xmlns/dd">
<name>my mp3</name>
<vendor>ABC123 Corp.</vendor>
<description>MP3 ringtone from my PC</description>
<objectURI>http://www.server.com/file.mp3</objectURI>
<size>335423</size>
<type>video/mpeg3</type>
<installNotifyURI>anything.asp</installNotifyURI>
</media>

Some of those tags are not required. You may have to begin the file with something like <?xml ..... ?>. Search the net about that.

Just save this as a plain text file, give it a .dd extension... and may as well make the filename same as your mp3. It's absolutely crucial that the filesize in the descriptor matches the filesize of your actual file. To get the exact number in bytes, simply right click your file, go to Properties and then copy the number for "Size" that's in brackets.

Upload this to your web server (some free servers may block the .dd filetype?). On your E815 connect to the .dd file, and you will be presented with the descriptor with a download link. WORKS. The web server I use is private and basically open. We did configure some MIME types on it (ie allow .dd and .mp3), this may or may not helped us in this situation.

If I were to point the E815 directly to the MP3 file, the player would open but no audio data would be present. Pointing it to the .dd delivers the MP3 without a hitch.

That's it, worked for me. Made the mp3 as ringtone, did a call test, worked.

Posted by: computerwiz222

Could someone please further explain this, i know html and i understand what this file does but some of the tags make no sense. Thanks a lot

Posted by: computerwiz222

anyone? please!

Posted by: Cablestein

This has nothing to do with HTML.

Just copy-paste that code text into a plain text file (using Notepad), when you save it, instead of .TXT, just save it as .DD and the filename can be whatever you want too.

Upload this file and your MP3 to any web server (for example, Tripod.com free webspace).

Then point your mobile phone browser to the full URL of the .DD file... voila. This works on Bell Mobility on the E815 here in Canada... I don't know about other carriers in the world. The web server you use may also restrict you as well (they may block certain files).

Posted by: computerwiz222

ok so lets say i want to download a midi or a 3gp do i change the type?