Hi, I have audio files, mostly in AIFF format, some of these files have three cover images. I edit some of them and use the MPEG IDV3.2.4 UTF-8 encoding option, as this option almost preserves the original format. I've also used IDV3.2.3 UTF-16, but unlike the previous option, it messes up the original format. The problem is that when I use the IDV3.2.4 UTF-8 option while editing my files, I've noticed that when playing and viewing these files in iTunes, not all the cover images are displayed (3 or 2 if the original audio file includes them in the tags). Sometimes only 2 or even 1 are visible. It's worth noting that this doesn't happen with all files; some retain all 3 or 2 covers after editing.
I would think it's due to the file size of the cover that isn't displayed, but sometimes that cover is larger than the others and is still present when playing from iTunes. Hoping I've been clear enough and that this is a possible solution, thank you
Isn't this an ITunes problem?
Once you have found out what iTunes like about the covers and what it does not, then MP3tag can probably do something about it and adapt the covers to a suitable format.
Load a working file into Mp3tag and check the cover in respect to dimensions, bytes and format.
Then load a file with problems and check the same properties. If you see differences, then try MP3tag's function "Adjust cover"
to get similar properties for the embedded pictures.
Check again in iTunes if this yields better results.
The covers displayed in iTunes is limited based on the cover type that can be assigned. I can't recall which, but off the top of my head think it is only the "Front Cover" and "Other" that can be used.
Use the cover window to display the details about the artwork for each file or group of files. If any other cover type is assigned, iTunes seems to ignore them.
No, because when I play and view a file before editing it using MP3Tag in iTunes, all three cover art images appear (1-Front Cover / jpeg, 2-Brightfish / png, 3-Publisher Logotype / jpeg) or only two (1-Front Cover / jpeg, 2-Brightfish / png). After editing, it ignores the last cover image in the case of the three (Publisher Logotype) or two (Brightfish) images. I usually edit a file for minor details like a letter or number,I never touch the cover section, I keep the three original cover art in the same order and style.
The strange thing is, as I mentioned before, when using the MPEG ID3V2.3 UTF-16 option, it doesn't ignore any cover art when viewing it in iTunes, but it messes up some fields in the audio file, even though I only need to edit minor details.
I usually use a different editor, which doesn't typically have the same issue with cover art, as is the case when editing in MP3Tag and then viewing it in iTunes. I prefer MP3Tag because it displays more audio file fields compared to other editors. Could this be a bug? Or is it because the MPEG (ID3V2.4 UTF-8) option I'm using is configured that way by default?
P.S.: When using the other editor, the second cover is assigned the "Brightfish" cover type because it simply doesn't exist in MP3Tag; the cover type appears blank in that section.
Since these are AIFF files, developed by Apple, I don't think the cover art type lacks pre-established support for the audio format. Here's a description of the cover art included in the original file:
Normally, iTunes retains the last cover art before editing them using MP3Tag. After editing, it ignores the last cover art, whether it's the "Publisher Logotype" in the case of 3 covers or the "Brightfish" in the case of 2. I have to mention that in the case of mp3 files that contain 3 covers, I have not had any problem with it ignoring some cover art from iTunes, after editing with the same MPEG option (ID3V2.4 UTF-8).
P.S.: When using other editor, the second cover is assigned the "Brightfish" cover type because it simply doesn't exist in MP3Tag; the cover type appears blank in that section.
I hope that this is a translation program name - as the ID3 standard only knows these cover types:
Picture type:
$00 Other
$01 32x32 pixels 'file icon' (PNG only)
$02 Other file icon
$03 Cover (front)
$04 Cover (back)
$05 Leaflet page
$06 Media (e.g. lable side of CD)
$07 Lead artist/lead performer/soloist
$08 Artist/performer
$09 Conductor
$0A Band/Orchestra
$0B Composer
$0C Lyricist/text writer
$0D Recording Location
$0E During recording
$0F During performance
$10 Movie/video screen capture
$11 A bright coloured fish
$12 Illustration
$13 Band/artist logotype
$14 Publisher/Studio logotype
So I assume that the AIFF format is the problem.
I found this information on the internet:
📌 Quick Facts on AIFF Artwork:
The Limit: Only one cover image (typically the front album cover) is supported.
Supported Formats: Embedded artwork must be a standard image file type, ideally JPEG or PNG.
The "How-To": Artwork is added using the ID3 metadata tags (the same way it works for MP3s).
Software Compatibility: While iTunes/Apple Music, Mp3tag, and MusicBrainz Picard allow you to embed art, not all hardware media players or DJ softwares (like older Rekordbox or Volumio versions) will reliably display embedded AIFF artwork.