24 bit sound wont playback on Macbook?

[Kustoden]

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I've just started using the new Sony A7s III with the XLR-K3M sound adapter enabling 4 channel 24 bit audio recording.

But when I import files to my MacBook Pro, the sound will not playback when sound is recorded in 24bit. VLC gives the error "Codec not supported. VLC could not decode the format "ipcm" and in Final Cut X the clips appear to be video only.

I cannot find anything about "ipcm" anywhere or anyone experiencing the same problem. And I am unsure if it is a problem with the Macbook or with the camera.

The sound plays back fine in the camera.

Any idea?

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[Olaf W.]

The four channels might be the problem here. Did you try plain stereo (2 channels)?

[Kustoden]

Ive tried both 2 and 4 channel 24bit settings - but there is no playback except in camera! 
16 bit 2 channel works fine.

 

Edited October 9, 2020 by Kustoden

[Olaf W.]

What sampling frequency are you using? To narrrow the problem down try 44.1 or 48kHz.

And try to open the files wirh Audacity and inspect the properties.

[Kustoden]

I have no idea what frequency is used. But I just tried opening the file in audacity and it gives the same error saying: "[the file] is an Advanced Audio Coding-file. Audacity can't open the FFmpeg-library ... Convert it to WAV or AIFF."

I am starting to believe it is an error in the camera codec. It's the first Alpha series camera with four sound channels.

 

 

 

[Olaf W.]

Looks like the camera is producing AAC multichannel files, which is quite uncommon in my opinion. There will probably be software that can convert the files to (multichannel) PCM, though.

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[Julien Guéraud]

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Hi Kustoden, VLC give me also the error "Codec not supported. VLC could not decode the format "ipcm" and in Premiere Pro the clips appear to be video only.

Did you find a solution with this problem ?

[jimm]

Try Sony Catalyst Browse, it supports the ISO/IEC 23003-5 MEPG-D audio that is used in the new Sony Alphas. It is big endian 24bit PCM audio.

[hexeric]

some time ago apple pushed an update for pro video codecs if you have FCP or imovie which enables these apps to work with the 4-ch of the sIII. you can also convert/extract with the catalyst browser and premiere can also work with it although it needs some time to calculate something. 4-ch works natively for me but not in a player, i is buggy with some highly compressed, long-gop codecs of the sIII

[fletchadam]

I've found the Sony Catalyst Prepare software which comes bundled with Catalyst Browse to be the effective way to reconcile a 4 audio track video to two tracks where the "Codec not supported. VLC could not decode the format ipcm" is received.

Software can be accessed here: https://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/catalystbrowse#download