Problem opening large .wma in Audacity v 2.1

[Gale Andrews]

2.1.0 cannot open a whole bunch of formats into a waveform, as it follows from recent discussions on this forum. It could be a problem with Audacity and not FFmpeg 2.2.2.

No, it's a problem with FFmpeg 2.2.2. Here is the result when I attempt to decode a 24-bit lossless WMA to a WAV file on Windows using FFmpeg 2.2.2 directly at the command-line:

Code: Select all

C:\Program Files (x86)\FFmpeg for Audacity>ffmpeg -i 24bit_lossless.wma 24.wav
ffmpeg version 2.2.2 Copyright (c) 2000-2014 the FFmpeg developers
  built on May 22 2014 19:56:44 with gcc 4.8.2 (GCC)
  configuration: --disable-static --enable-shared --enable-gpl --enable-version3
 --disable-w32threads --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-fontconfig --ena
ble-frei0r --enable-gnutls --enable-iconv --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --e
nable-libcaca --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgme --enable-libgsm --enable-libi
lbc --enable-libmodplug --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-
libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libopus --enable-librtmp --enabl
e-libschroedinger --enable-libsoxr --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable
-libtwolame --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --
enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libwavpack --enable-libwebp --enable-l
ibx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs --enable-libxvid --enable-decklink --en
able-zlib
  libavutil      52. 66.100 / 52. 66.100
  libavcodec     55. 52.102 / 55. 52.102
  libavformat    55. 33.100 / 55. 33.100
  libavdevice    55. 10.100 / 55. 10.100
  libavfilter     4.  2.100 /  4.  2.100
  libswscale      2.  5.102 /  2.  5.102
  libswresample   0. 18.100 /  0. 18.100
  libpostproc    52.  3.100 / 52.  3.100

[wmalossless @ 01d38400] Bit-depth higher than 16 is not implemented. Update your FFmpeg version to the newest one from Git. If the problem still occurs, it means that your file has a feature which has not been implemented.

The result is the same on Mac.

I got a 404 error on the links to your file, but thanks for uploading it.

On Mac in Audacity 2.1.1-alpha, QuickTime refuses my above 24-bit lossless WMA file as expected (and QuickTime also refuses a 16-bit WMA lossless file as expected). I've attached my 24-bit lossless WMA file so you can see if Audacity 2.0.5 will import it on your machine. It should be a compliant file, encoded by dBPowerAmp. I would guess your file is partly corrupt in some way. You can look in the log in Audacity 2.0.5 to see which importer opened it.

If for whatever reason QuickTime attempts to open your specific file in Audacity 2.1.0, then nothing will happen after import due to the bug: Audacity 2.1.0: FFmpeg required for MP4/M4A/MOV/ALAC import. That bug is fixed in our 2.1.1-alpha source code, but that still doesn't explain why QuickTime attempts your file.

2.1.0 on Mac and Windows imports a 16-bit WMA lossless correctly, using FFmpeg 2.2.2.

2.0.5 on Mac and Windows will not import 16- or 24-bit WMA lossless files, using the supported FFmpeg 0.6.2.

If anyone else has a legitimate 24-bit WMA lossless file on Mac then it may be hard to convert because most converters use FFmpeg. I think Flip4Mac (not free) will "probably" let QuickTime play the file then you could record it into Audacity or convert it to lossy M4A. Switch converts from WMA on Mac but it is not clear if it converts from 24-bit WMA lossless.

Gale

[sergeima]

OK, attempt to open attached 24-bit lossless .wma in A. 2.1.0 resulted in known behavior - loading timer (fast blink), then nothing on screen. Logs:

20:57:11: Audacity 2.1.0
20:57:11: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
20:57:11: mLibAVFormatPath ('/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib') is not empty. Loading from it.
20:57:11: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib'.
20:57:11: avformat not monolithic
20:57:11: Loading avutil from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavutil.52.dylib'.
20:57:11: Loading avcodec from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavcodec.55.dylib'.
20:57:11: Loading avformat from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib'.
20:57:11: Actual avutil path /Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavutil.52.dylib
20:57:11: Actual avcodec path /Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavcodec.55.dylib
20:57:11: Actual avformat path /Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib
20:57:11: Importing symbols...
20:57:11: All symbols loaded successfully. Initializing the library.
20:57:11: Retrieving FFmpeg library version numbers:
20:57:11: AVCodec version 0x373466 - 55.52.102 (built against 0x373466 - 55.52.102)
20:57:11: AVFormat version 0x372164 - 55.33.100 (built against 0x372164 - 55.33.100)
20:57:11: AVUtil version 0x344264 - 52.66.100 (built against 0x344264 - 52.66.100)
20:57:11: FFmpeg libraries loaded successfully.
20:57:42: File name is /Users/maurits/Music/Подкастинг_тесты/24bit_lossless.wma
20:57:42: Mime type is *
20:57:42: Opening with libav
20:57:42: Error: FFmpeg : avcodec_open() failed. Index[00], Codec[15027 - ]
20:57:42: Opening with libsndfile
20:57:42: Opening with liboggvorbis
20:57:42: Opening with libflac
20:57:42: Opening with lof
20:57:42: Opening with quicktime
20:57:42: Open(/Users/maurits/Music/Подкастинг_тесты/24bit_lossless.wma) succeeded

[sergeima]

A. 2.0.5 opens this file all right, waveform appeared on screen. From the logs it is clear that FFmpeg 2.2.2 is not compatible with this version and the file was opened into editable waveform with QTime. I am really glad I still have this outdated version and its dmg.

Logs:

21:03:59: Audacity 2.0.5
21:03:59: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
21:03:59: mLibAVFormatPath ('/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib') is not empty. Loading from it.
21:03:59: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib'.
21:03:59: avformat not monolithic
21:03:59: Loading avutil from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavutil.50.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavutil.50.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avcodec from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavcodec.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavcodec.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avformat from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: Unknown dynamic library error
21:03:59: Actual avutil path
21:03:59: Error: Unknown dynamic library error
21:03:59: Actual avcodec path
21:03:59: Actual avformat path /Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib
21:03:59: Importing symbols...
21:03:59: Error: Failed to load symbol av_write_header
21:03:59: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from default path, '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avutil from '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavutil.50.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavutil.50.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avcodec from '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavcodec.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavcodec.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avformat from '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Error: Failed to load FFmpeg libraries.
21:03:59: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from legacy path, '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avutil from '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavutil.50.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavutil.50.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avcodec from '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavcodec.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavcodec.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avformat from '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Error: Failed to load FFmpeg libraries.
21:03:59: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from system paths. File name is 'libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Checking for monolithic avformat from 'libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(libavformat.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avutil from 'libavutil.50.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(libavutil.50.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avcodec from 'libavcodec.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(libavcodec.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Loading avformat from 'libavformat.52.dylib'.
21:03:59: Error: dlopen(libavformat.52.dylib, 1): image not found
21:03:59: Error: Failed to load FFmpeg libraries.
21:03:59: Error: Failed to find compatible FFmpeg libraries.
21:04:26: File name is /Users/maurits/Music/Подкастинг_тесты/24bit_lossless.wma
21:04:26: Mime type is *
21:04:26: Opening with libav
21:04:36: Opening with libsndfile
21:04:36: Opening with liboggvorbis
21:04:36: Opening with libflac
21:04:36: Opening with lof
21:04:36: Opening with quicktime
21:04:36: Open(/Users/maurits/Music/Подкастинг_тесты/24bit_lossless.wma) succeeded

[Gale Andrews]

OK, attempt to open attached 24-bit lossless .wma in A. 2.1.0 resulted in known behavior - loading timer (fast blink), than nothing on screen.

Do you have some rules added to Audacity's Extended Import Preferences?

Or have you installed Flip4Mac or some other additional codec support for QuickTime that explains why QuickTime is attempting to import WMA files in Audacity 2.0.5? Natively, QuickTime does not support WMA.

Here is my log (no added rules, no Flip4Mac):

Code: Select all

06:04:54: Audacity 2.1.0
06:04:54: Error: dlopen(.bundle, 2): image not found
06:04:54: Error: dlopen(.bundle, 2): image not found
06:04:56: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
06:04:56: mLibAVFormatPath ('/Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavformat.52.dylib') is not empty. Loading from it.
06:04:56: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavformat.52.dylib'.
06:04:56: avformat not monolithic
06:04:56: Loading avutil from '/Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavutil.50.dylib'.
06:04:56: Loading avcodec from '/Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavcodec.52.dylib'.
06:04:56: Loading avformat from '/Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavformat.52.dylib'.
06:04:56: Actual avutil path /Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavutil.50.dylib
06:04:56: Actual avcodec path /Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavcodec.52.dylib
06:04:56: Actual avformat path /Users/gale/Downloads/FFmpeg_v0.6.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX/libavformat.52.dylib
06:04:56: Importing symbols...
06:04:56: Error: Failed to load symbol avformat_find_stream_info
06:04:56: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from default path, '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.55.dylib, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Loading avutil from ''.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(.bundle, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Loading avcodec from ''.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(.bundle, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Loading avformat from '/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(/Library/Application Support/audacity/libs/libavformat.55.dylib, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Error: Failed to load FFmpeg libraries.
06:04:56: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from legacy path, '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.55.dylib, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Loading avutil from ''.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(.bundle, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Loading avcodec from ''.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(.bundle, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Loading avformat from '/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Error: dlopen(/usr/local/lib/audacity/libavformat.55.dylib, 1): image not found
06:04:56: Error: Failed to load FFmpeg libraries.
06:04:56: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from system paths. File name is 'libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Checking for monolithic avformat from 'libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: avformat not monolithic
06:04:56: Loading avutil from '/usr/local/lib/libavutil.52.66.100.dylib'.
06:04:56: Loading avcodec from '/usr/local/lib/libavcodec.55.52.102.dylib'.
06:04:56: Loading avformat from 'libavformat.55.dylib'.
06:04:56: Actual avutil path /usr/local/lib/libavutil.52.66.100.dylib
06:04:56: Actual avcodec path /usr/local/lib/libavcodec.55.52.102.dylib
06:04:56: Actual avformat path /usr/local/lib/libavformat.55.33.100.dylib
06:04:56: Importing symbols...
06:04:56: All symbols loaded successfully. Initializing the library.
06:04:57: Retrieving FFmpeg library version numbers:
06:04:57:    AVCodec version 0x373466 - 55.52.102 (built against 0x373466 - 55.52.102)
06:04:57:    AVFormat version 0x372164 - 55.33.100 (built against 0x372164 - 55.33.100)
06:04:57:    AVUtil version 0x344264 - 52.66.100 (built against 0x344264 - 52.66.100)
06:04:57: FFmpeg libraries loaded successfully.
06:07:55: File name is /Users/gale/Downloads/24bit_lossless.wma
06:07:55: Mime type is *
06:07:55: Opening with quicktime
06:07:55: Opening with liboggvorbis
06:07:55: Opening with libflac
06:07:55: Opening with libsndfile
06:07:55: Opening with libav
06:07:55: Error: FFmpeg : avcodec_open() failed. Index[00], Codec[15027 - ]
06:07:55: Opening with lof
06:07:55: Opening with libmad
06:07:55: Open(/Users/gale/Downloads/24bit_lossless.wma) succeeded
06:07:55: Error: Importer::Import: Opening failed.
06:08:49: Attempting to load LAME from system search paths
06:08:49: Loading LAME from libmp3lame.dylib
06:08:49: Error: dlopen(libmp3lame.dylib, 1): image not found
06:08:49: load failed
06:08:49: Attempting to load LAME from builtin path
06:08:49: Loading LAME from /usr/local/lib/audacity/libmp3lame.dylib
06:08:49: Actual LAME path /usr/local/lib/audacity/libmp3lame.dylib
06:08:49: LAME library successfully loaded
06:09:16: File name is /Users/gale/Downloads/24bit_lossless.wma
06:09:16: Mime type is *
06:09:16: Opening with libav
06:09:16: Error: FFmpeg : avcodec_open() failed. Index[00], Codec[15027 - ]
06:09:16: Opening with libsndfile
06:09:16: Opening with liboggvorbis
06:09:16: Opening with libflac
06:09:16: Opening with lof
06:09:16: Opening with quicktime
06:09:16: Error: Importer::Import: Opening failed.

As you can see I get the expected 15027 Codec error (because FFmpeg does not support 24-bit WMA lossless) and then QuickTime refuses to attempt the file.

As I said, the QuickTime "empty imports" issue is solved in 2.1.1-alpha. If you have installed WMA codecs for QuickTime, obtain 2.1.1-alpha from the top of this list http://www.audacity.homerow.net/index.p ... order=desc. Then if your QuickTime has suitable WMA codecs installed, it might import your file. If so, let us know how you added WMA support to QuickTime.


Gale

[sergeima]

2.1.0 cannot open a whole bunch of formats into a waveform, as it follows from recent discussions on this forum. It could be a problem with Audacity and not FFmpeg 2.2.2.

No, it's a problem with FFmpeg 2.2.2.

For the end user it is not so different, what disables trusted features in the new version - switch to a new library or something else in the code internally. The bottom line is lost functionality

I got a 404 error on the links to your file, but thanks for uploading it.

Sorry, it is a weird combination of Russian with spaces in the URL, I guess. I should've upload the file with more conventional name, but I just used a link I got originally myself. It is 0.4GB, you know... Sorry again.

On Mac in Audacity 2.1.1-alpha, QuickTime refuses my above 24-bit lossless WMA file as expected (and QuickTime also refuses a 16-bit WMA lossless file as expected).

Bad news. Why it is expected, by the way? Well, I mean, not from the technical point but from a broader perspective

I've attached my 24-bit lossless WMA file so you can see if Audacity 2.0.5 will import it on your machine. It should be a compliant file, encoded by dBPowerAmp. I would guess your file is partly corrupt in some way. You can look in the log in Audacity 2.0.5 to see which importer opened it.

Done, see above. Lucky importer was QTime, according to the logs.
Also, my original file is not corrupt, just large and long. It happens...

If for whatever reason QuickTime attempts to open your specific file in Audacity 2.1.0, then nothing will happen after import due to the bug: Audacity 2.1.0: FFmpeg required for MP4/M4A/MOV/ALAC import. That bug is fixed in our 2.1.1-alpha source code, but that still doesn't explain why QuickTime attempts your file.

2.1.0 on Mac and Windows imports a 16-bit WMA lossless correctly, using FFmpeg 2.2.2.

2.0.5 on Mac and Windows will not import 16- or 24-bit WMA lossless files, using the supported FFmpeg 0.6.2.

I think, QTime took care of this file in A. 2.0.5

If anyone else has a legitimate 24-bit WMA lossless file on Mac then it may be hard to convert because most converters use FFmpeg. I think Flip4Mac (not free) will "probably" let QuickTime play the file then you could record it into Audacity or convert it to lossy M4A. Switch converts from WMA on Mac but it is not clear if it converts from 24-bit WMA lossless.

Bingo. I have Flip4Mac (not free) on my system. I am saved. For now
Having nothing to loose, I'll install 2.1.1-alpha to try my luck...

Thank you very much, I really appreciated you attention to this matter.
Sergei

[sergeima]

I loaded your short 24-bit lossless .wma into A. 2.1.1-alpha all right. I guess,
my long and heavy .wma will be loaded also.

Here is the Log content:

22:18:48: Audacity 2.1.1-alpha-May 2 2015
22:18:48: Error: dlopen(.bundle, 2): image not found
22:18:49: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries...
22:18:49: mLibAVFormatPath ('/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib') is not empty. Loading from it.
22:18:49: Checking for monolithic avformat from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib'.
22:18:49: avformat not monolithic
22:18:49: Loading avutil from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavutil.52.dylib'.
22:18:49: Loading avcodec from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavcodec.55.dylib'.
22:18:49: Loading avformat from '/Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib'.
22:18:49: Actual avutil path /Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavutil.52.dylib
22:18:49: Actual avcodec path /Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/./libavcodec.55.dylib
22:18:49: Actual avformat path /Users/maurits/Downloads/ffmpeg-mac-2/libavformat.55.dylib
22:18:49: Importing symbols...
22:18:49: All symbols loaded successfully. Initializing the library.
22:18:49: Retrieving FFmpeg library version numbers:
22:18:49: AVCodec version 0x373466 - 55.52.102 (built against 0x373466 - 55.52.102)
22:18:49: AVFormat version 0x372164 - 55.33.100 (built against 0x372164 - 55.33.100)
22:18:49: AVUtil version 0x344264 - 52.66.100 (built against 0x344264 - 52.66.100)
22:18:49: FFmpeg libraries loaded successfully.
22:19:09: File name is /Users/maurits/Music/Подкастинг_тесты/24bit_lossless.wma
22:19:09: Mime type is *
22:19:09: Opening with libav
22:19:09: Error: FFmpeg : avcodec_open() failed. Index[00], Codec[15027 - ]
22:19:09: Opening with libsndfile
22:19:09: Opening with liboggvorbis
22:19:09: Opening with libflac
22:19:09: Opening with lof
22:19:09: Opening with quicktime
22:19:09: Open(/Users/maurits/Music/Подкастинг_тесты/24bit_lossless.wma) succeeded


I have many things potentially related to QTime/.wma on my system. One of them is Flip4Mac.
Further, .wma files are marked as audio files in my Finder by default. Attempt to open them
by simple double clicking plays them with FlipPlayer 3.2 (circa 2013). I can drag that uploaded
file to QTimePlayer and it will be played after short "Conversion" message on the player screen.
RealTime player will play it as well, but it contaminates the file's pure tone with "This is demo
for Flip$Mac" message. Finally, QTime Player 7 will play it, apparently without any hesitation
and/or conversion.

I don't know, what is critical. I think, it is Flip4Mac (Flip$Mac). I hear that message "This is
demo for Flip..." from time-to-time, mixed with audio of .wma opened in Audacity. I thought,
I paid for Flip$Mac. Perhaps, not enough....

Sergei

[Gale Andrews]

2.1.0 cannot open a whole bunch of formats into a waveform, as it follows from recent discussions on this forum. It could be a problem with Audacity and not FFmpeg 2.2.2.

No, it's a problem with FFmpeg 2.2.2.

For the end user it is not so different, what disables trusted features in the new version - switch to a new library or something else in the code internally. The bottom line is lost functionality

Most users won't have modified QuickTime to import WMA so they won't see the problem.

For most users, FFmpeg 2.2.2 for Audacity 2.1.0 adds the ability to import 16-bit lossless WMA that 2.0.5 did not have.

On Mac in Audacity 2.1.1-alpha, QuickTime refuses my above 24-bit lossless WMA file as expected (and QuickTime also refuses a 16-bit WMA lossless file as expected).

Why it is expected, by the way? Well, I mean, not from the technical point but from a broader perspective.

As I said, QuickTime does not natively support WMA. That is Apple's decision. It is not really surprising considering WMA is a competing format made by arch-rival Microsoft.

If anyone else has a legitimate 24-bit WMA lossless file on Mac then it may be hard to convert because most converters use FFmpeg. I think Flip4Mac (not free) will "probably" let QuickTime play the file then you could record it into Audacity or convert it to lossy M4A. Switch converts from WMA on Mac but it is not clear if it converts from 24-bit WMA lossless.

Bingo. I have Flip4Mac (not free) on my system. I am saved. For now
Having nothing to loose, I'll install 2.1.1-alpha to try my luck...

OK. I did not know for sure that Flip4Mac would allow Audacity to import WMA using QuickTime. As I understand it, Flip4Mac does not let iTunes import WMA files. Do you agree?

Note that 2.1.1 is an alpha version, so there may be other bugs. However it should import your and my WMA lossless 24-bit file using QuickTime (if 2.0.5 does so). If 2.1.1-alpha does not, let me know.


Gale