Hello All,
I use audacity on debian trixie, when I try to open a MP4 to extract audio tracks I get this error message :
”unable to open file : filetype incorrect”
Below my configuration :
Audacity release : 3.7.3
ffmpeg release : 7:7.1.3
The ffmpeg library appears under audacity in the library tab.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Kind regards
smokyrun
What does this online tool say about your “MP4” file? MediaInfoOnline - MediaInfo in your browser
Hello Steve,
You will find below all information about the mp4 file :
`General
Complete name : Amy Winehouse - Back To Black.mp4
Format : dash
Codec ID : dash (iso6/avc1/mp41)
File size : 50.2 MiB
Duration : 4 min 0 s
Overall bit rate : 1 755 kb/s
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS
Encoded date : 2026-03-14 12:34:49 UTC
Tagged date : 2026-03-14 12:34:49 UTC
Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 3 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 4 min 0 s
Bit rate : 1 752 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.034
Stream size : 50.1 MiB (100%)
Title : ISO Media file produced by Google Inc.
Writing library : x264 core 165
Encoded date : 2026-03-14 12:34:49 UTC
Tagged date : 2026-03-14 12:34:49 UTC
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Codec configuration box : avcC`
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards
That isn’t a normal video file. It’s part of a DASH stream, not a full MP4.
It may be possible to extract the video using MP4Box, but I’ve never used that app myself.
Hello Steve,
You’re right, I tried the same action with another MP4 file and everything work fine.
Thank you so much for your help and analyze, I’m going to try MP4Box.
Kind regards,
somkyrun
Good luck with MP4Box. Let us know if it works for you.
Make a note / bookmark for MediaInfo - it’s a really useful tool when dealing with unusual files.
Assuming you can play the audio/video file on your computer the “last resort” solution is to record it as its playing:
…That will only work for stereo, not surround sound (at least on Windows).
Thank so much for your reply, in fact I succeeded to make it works with Audacity, instead to download files in 1080 HD I downloaded them in 360 and in this case everything work fine.
That I need only to extract audio tracks I don’t mind if videos is not in HD format.
Kind regards,
smokyrun