**Server Version#: 4.43.4 ** Player Version#: IOS Latest version 7.10.1
I have a few .m4b files that will not play on the IOS device. It plays on my TV, my computer and I am sure it will play almost anywhere else. It happens both locally and remotely. I checked out the server side logs and the server keeps kicking back this error when I am trying to play it. Probably tries 10 times to stream it to my client.
Request: [172.58.157.24:19212 (WAN)] GET /library/parts/13057/1606442438/file.m4b?download=1 (9 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (mark@email.net) (range: bytes=217162644-) Content-Length of /Volumes/Plex/AudioBooks/Author/Author - Series (4) - Title.m4b is 4346325 (of total: 221508969). Failed to stream media, client probably disconnected after 147456 bytes: 32 - Broken pipe
I have used .m4b files for a long time and haven’t had an issue until now. I have removed the app from my phone a few times and reinstalled it. Same behavior. Clearly the server is able to stream the file since it works on Safari and my TV. The Mac OS can quick look play it as well. How do you figure this out?
I too enjoy Author, and I’m looking forward to book (5) in Series.
I assume other media does play correctly for you on those devices? Do other .m4b files work, but not some specific files?
That’s not particularly large for an audiobook, but it’s much bigger than the average song. Do you notice any pattern with file size or book length?
I’ve noticed that even some purchased audiobooks were created with poor encoders, strange encoder settings, or just appear to be concatenated together. :-/
And, if you aren’t aware of it, have you tried Prologue? There are a few reasons I like it better than the native Plex Client for audiobooks. Perhaps it will behave differently on these problem files.
Other .m4b files made 30+ days ago seem to work just fine. I only spot tested them. It seems 80% of the my newer ones I created in the last week or so are not working. In fact, only a single one works (RP2). I have used Audiobook binder to convert them down to something pretty small and mono instead of stereo. I usually get them as MP3 and convert them to M4B. However, if I convert the M4B back to MP3, they seem to work just fine. I am not opposed to using MP3, but my tried and true process fo audiobooks has been working ever since I converted to Plex from Windows Media Center with only a few issues. I share my library with others so I really need the native app to work if possible. I am certainly no opposed to using a different app specially made for audiobooks as the Plex interface is quirky at best for audio. Any idea(s) on what could be causing this or to troubleshoot it? I have been a computer guy for over 3 decades and I am used to having to “figure out” what is wrong with software and hardware. I just don’t know enough about the architecture to know where to start.
I didn’t know RP2 existed. I was momentarily excited, but now I’m sad I saw the reviews. :-/
If that’s a low bitrate file, and it’s still THAT big, I’m wondering if you’re running into some other (unintentional?) parser or decoder limit. How long is it?
10 Hours I think. I am half way through. Pretty good. Not as good, obviously, as the original. However, I am a complete nerd and am liking it. The original was so good (I listen to once a year on average) so I cam unable to not listen to #2. Decent enough story. This is by far not my longest book. Atlas Shrugged is like 30 hours or so.
I don’t mind spending the money. I will even pay for Prologue once I get some time under my belt. However I find it difficult to believe that it is the file.
UPDATE: You won’t believe this… I had purchased a TP-Link AC1750 to replace my old Apple Airport router. The CPU would occasionally spike to 100% so I decided to get a dual processor router. So I changed out my router this morning and at least 1 .m4b that would not play yesterday is playing today. How about that? I will need to investigate this some more. “Dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!”
