[X] MP4 (m4a) tags not loaded after beaTunes analyze the file

[joephein]

I am using beaTunes to analyze my music collection and add tags, mood and color to the files.
After beaTunes saves the changes mp3tag cannot load the MP4 tag info anymore.

This is only repro for m4a files. I confirm that Windows Media Player, Windows Explorer, or TagRename can read the tags successfully.
See attached screenshot for more details:

If you need any demo files to repro and investigate please send me a message.

[ohrenkino]

I am using beaTunes ...

I don't know what this software does. But if it transforms the MP4 tags to nero layout then this is a known issue. Nero tags are not compliant with the MP4 standard and MP3tag does not support them.

[joephein]

beaTunes closely works together with iTunes to create playlists. I do not believe it uses the nero layout format. Can you repro the issue with the m4a that I shared? Is there any way to debug using the files what can be the cause?

[ohrenkino]

... Can you repro the issue with the m4a that I shared?...

There is a known issue with nero tags.
You have a certain work environment that leads to you reporting a bug.
I would say that right now it is up to you to show that this is a completely new case.
I think that such reports are marked [AF]: awaiting feedback.

[joephein]

I would then conclude that the root cause is a not well documented (standardized) specification of how tags are used in MP4 files by Apple. What fixed it for me is running the dBpoweramp [ID Tag Update] Utility Codec to fix the tags. Any additional edits by beaTunes to the tags are fine and not causing any issues.

• Use the dBpoweramp [ID Tag Update] Utility Codec to fix the tags
• Run beaTunes analyze to sort out any tag issues and add the special tags to the files
• mp3tag can read the tags fine now even after beaTunes edits the tags, while this was previously causing the issue.

It is probably a combination of factors. However mp3tag was the only tool that had problems to read the tags. Feel free to close this as Not a bug (By Design)