Hi everyone,
For the past several weeks, I have been having serious playback issues with my 3rd gen iPod 8 gig nano. (Note: I use a Dell laptop -awful... I know- running Windows XP SP2 and have the latest versions of iTunes, iPod software, etc.) Certain tracks will play for a limited amount of time then skip to the next. The time is always the same for a particular track, but each track has a different time when this occurs. For example, Interview With the Vampire (purchased from Audible) only plays for 3 seconds, while Real Time with Bill Maher ep 138 (audio podcast) will play for 12:14.
Detailed Symptoms:
- Does not seem to occur with music
- Real Time is the only podcast I've had an issue with
* Some episodes work, others don't
* Problem episodes all have different stop points
- Anne Rice books from Audible.com seem to be a problem
* Audible books have not been a problem in the past.
* Anne Rice has been the only author I have downloaded in the past week, so it might be a new issue and not just the author
- Audiobook problems seem to be tied to chapters... For example, chapter 1 might not go past 45 seconds, but if I go to chapter 2 before it messes up then its fine. In my current book, 3/4 chapters have this issue (chpt. 1, 3, 4)
- Everything is fine when I play it in iTunes
- Several websites have articles documenting problems with tracks which are 4+ hours. Strangely, every book/podcast I have had a problem with has been under this. The podcasts in question are either about an hour or 10 min, and the books are just under 3 hours. I have listened to several books which come in 7 hour segments and have never had a problem with them.
I have tried just about everything I can think of/find on the web to solve this.
Here's a list of my attempted fixes:
- deleted files, synced iPod so that files were removed from it, redownloaded files, then resynced iPod to get new file
* problem still occurs at the same exact times after this
- reset iPod
- downloaded different audio quality versions of books
- deauthorized then reauthorized both iTunes and audible.com accounts
- fastforwarded past the problem point and then tried to play
* this creates a really weird glitch where it still displays my current book but is actually playing from that timepoint in the subsequent book
- deleting books after my current book so there is nothing to jump to
* this causes it to loop back to the first book
- moving past the problem point in iTunes, syncing the iPod so it has a bookmark there, then clicking resume on the iPod
* This worked for one book. Does not work with my current book or with podcasts. It still works for that first book, though.
- I called Apple (useless) so I headed to the Apple store. They tried to tell me it was my files, but then thought it might be the device once they heard what I had tried so far. They gave me a brand new iPod refurb and the problem was COMPLETELY UNCHANGED... same issues at the same exact times for the problem tracks
Given this latest development, I figure that it must be either the audio or an iPod bug. I really don't think it is the tracks because they are completely fine in iTunes.
I am completely at a loss and ready to tear my hair out. My monstrous laptop is not exactly convenient to lug around as an mp3 player. I would tremendously appreciate any help or advice which you all could offer. I'm new to the forum, so please let me know if I leave out any info which is usually needed (and please excuse me if I come across as rude/entitled to help even though I'm new) Regardless of whether or nor you can assist, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this.
Laura
For the past several weeks, I have been having serious playback issues with my 3rd gen iPod 8 gig nano. (Note: I use a Dell laptop -awful... I know- running Windows XP SP2 and have the latest versions of iTunes, iPod software, etc.) Certain tracks will play for a limited amount of time then skip to the next. The time is always the same for a particular track, but each track has a different time when this occurs. For example, Interview With the Vampire (purchased from Audible) only plays for 3 seconds, while Real Time with Bill Maher ep 138 (audio podcast) will play for 12:14.
Detailed Symptoms:
- Does not seem to occur with music
- Real Time is the only podcast I've had an issue with
* Some episodes work, others don't
* Problem episodes all have different stop points
- Anne Rice books from Audible.com seem to be a problem
* Audible books have not been a problem in the past.
* Anne Rice has been the only author I have downloaded in the past week, so it might be a new issue and not just the author
- Audiobook problems seem to be tied to chapters... For example, chapter 1 might not go past 45 seconds, but if I go to chapter 2 before it messes up then its fine. In my current book, 3/4 chapters have this issue (chpt. 1, 3, 4)
- Everything is fine when I play it in iTunes
- Several websites have articles documenting problems with tracks which are 4+ hours. Strangely, every book/podcast I have had a problem with has been under this. The podcasts in question are either about an hour or 10 min, and the books are just under 3 hours. I have listened to several books which come in 7 hour segments and have never had a problem with them.
I have tried just about everything I can think of/find on the web to solve this.
Here's a list of my attempted fixes:
- deleted files, synced iPod so that files were removed from it, redownloaded files, then resynced iPod to get new file
* problem still occurs at the same exact times after this
- reset iPod
- downloaded different audio quality versions of books
- deauthorized then reauthorized both iTunes and audible.com accounts
- fastforwarded past the problem point and then tried to play
* this creates a really weird glitch where it still displays my current book but is actually playing from that timepoint in the subsequent book
- deleting books after my current book so there is nothing to jump to
* this causes it to loop back to the first book
- moving past the problem point in iTunes, syncing the iPod so it has a bookmark there, then clicking resume on the iPod
* This worked for one book. Does not work with my current book or with podcasts. It still works for that first book, though.
- I called Apple (useless) so I headed to the Apple store. They tried to tell me it was my files, but then thought it might be the device once they heard what I had tried so far. They gave me a brand new iPod refurb and the problem was COMPLETELY UNCHANGED... same issues at the same exact times for the problem tracks
Given this latest development, I figure that it must be either the audio or an iPod bug. I really don't think it is the tracks because they are completely fine in iTunes.
I am completely at a loss and ready to tear my hair out. My monstrous laptop is not exactly convenient to lug around as an mp3 player. I would tremendously appreciate any help or advice which you all could offer. I'm new to the forum, so please let me know if I leave out any info which is usually needed (and please excuse me if I come across as rude/entitled to help even though I'm new) Regardless of whether or nor you can assist, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this.
Laura