Why are there wav files that Outlook cannot play?

[RealCat]

Hello.

I wanted some audible notification when I get a new rss feed, so I
made a rule which plays a wav file when any rss feed arrives. But it
looks like that there are wav files that Outlook cannot play. For
example,

http://misako.co.kr/externaldata/ok.wav <- this is OK
http://misako.co.kr/externaldata/error.wav <- this is no't OK, Outlook
plays the 'ding' sound instead.
(Note : file names have been changed to let you distinguish them
easily)

At first, I thought it must be because of different bit rates or
sampling rates or whatsoever, but after examining the two wav files
above, I've found that their properties (at least those I can check)
are the same. I cannot figure out what is wrong. Could you give me any
hint? Thank you.

PS : Outlook 2008, Vista (64bit)

 

[F.H. Muffman]

I wanted some audible notification when I get a new rss feed, so I

made a rule which plays a wav file when any rss feed arrives. But it
looks like that there are wav files that Outlook cannot play. For
example,

http://misako.co.kr/externaldata/ok.wav <- this is OK
http://misako.co.kr/externaldata/error.wav <- this is no't OK, Outlook
plays the 'ding' sound instead.
(Note : file names have been changed to let you distinguish them
easily)
At first, I thought it must be because of different bit rates or
sampling rates or whatsoever, but after examining the two wav files
above, I've found that their properties (at least those I can check)
are the same. I cannot figure out what is wrong. Could you give me any
hint? Thank you.

PS : Outlook 2008, Vista (64bit)

Probably because the WAV file is a mp3 encoded wav file. Based on the file
header, it looks like it. http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/terms/riff-wav.cfm

Now, why Outlook uses its own system to play audio files and not just let
the OS do it, no clue.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Outlook doesn't play them but the OS. What WMP can play is not a
representation of what the OS can play. Test the error.wav file in Windows
Sounds and note it won't play either (Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit).
However, it does play in Windows XP.

GSpot (codec information tool) shows that both files are the same when it
comes to bitrates and codecs used to play the file. So why there is a
difference in behavior when it comes to the file and OS used needs to be a
bit further analyzed but is off-topic for this newsgroup.

 

[RealCat]

I tested them and it is confirmed. The "error.wav" cannot be played at
Sounds [Browse->Test] It's a mystery since all the conditions of the
two files look the same. Thank you for the answer. I think I'm going
to ask this topic to some otehr news goups like Windows Vista group.

Outlook doesn't play them but the OS. What WMP can play is not a
representation of what the OS can play. Test the error.wav file in Windows
Sounds and note it won't play either (Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit).
However, it does play in Windows XP.

GSpot (codec information tool) shows that both files are the same when it
comes to bitrates and codecs used to play the file. So why there is a
difference in behavior when it comes to the file and OS used needs to be a
bit further analyzed but is off-topic for this newsgroup.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

Probably because the WAV file is a mp3 encoded wav file.  Based on the
file header, it looks like it.
http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/terms/riff-wav.cfm

Now, why Outlook uses its own system to play audio files and not just let
the OS do it, no clue.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

You're welcome!
You might have better luck in an audio newsgroup though to analyze the file
unless there is a known bug in Windows Vista causing this.
Some additional info for your search; The default MP3 codec for Windows is
l3codeca.acm of Fraunhofer.

I tested them and it is confirmed. The "error.wav" cannot be played at
Sounds [Browse->Test] It's a mystery since all the conditions of the
two files look the same. Thank you for the answer. I think I'm going
to ask this topic to some otehr news goups like Windows Vista group.

Outlook doesn't play them but the OS. What WMP can play is not a
representation of what the OS can play. Test the error.wav file in
Windows
Sounds and note it won't play either (Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit).
However, it does play in Windows XP.

GSpot (codec information tool) shows that both files are the same when it
comes to bitrates and codecs used to play the file. So why there is a
difference in behavior when it comes to the file and OS used needs to be
a
bit further analyzed but is off-topic for this newsgroup.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

I wanted some audible notification when I get a new rss feed, so I
made a rule which plays a wav file when any rss feed arrives. But it
looks like that there are wav files that Outlook cannot play. For
example,

http://misako.co.kr/externaldata/ok.wav<- this is OK
http://misako.co.kr/externaldata/error.wav<- this is no't OK, Outlook
plays the 'ding' sound instead.
(Note : file names have been changed to let you distinguish them
easily)
At first, I thought it must be because of different bit rates or
sampling rates or whatsoever, but after examining the two wav files
above, I've found that their properties (at least those I can check)
are the same. I cannot figure out what is wrong. Could you give me any
hint? Thank you.

PS : Outlook 2008, Vista (64bit)

Probably because the WAV file is a mp3 encoded wav file. Based on the
file header, it looks like it.
http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/terms/riff-wav.cfm

Now, why Outlook uses its own system to play audio files and not just
let
the OS do it, no clue.