Technical Question

[katydidit]

Downloaded some radio shows from archive.org and the files appear to be blanks.

First of all they downloaded too quickly and secondly there is no Bit Rate at all. When I take a closer look at the mp3s they have 0 kbps. The length of the show is there but they won't play or do anything.

What causes this? Can any one provide further tech information on this subject.

Thanks, katy

[Riklaa]

Files disappear or get damaged in a server if they are there for a long time. The menu thinks it is still there but it is not. Most sites have a place to report problems like that. If you report it, you have a pretty good chance of having them repost these files.--------------------Rick

[My other half]

Were you using a download manager? If the server is busy it will slow down to the point where the downloads will "time out". Try fewer downloads at a time or try again later. Nothing wrong with your computer just "traffic congestion".

[Riklaa]

I guess that she tried a number of times. Other items from the same server came down OK I was told

[katydidit]

No, I didn't use a download manager. I think as Riklaa pointed out the items were on the system too long. Other items were fine upon download.
I've also had the "time out" scenario where the server is too busy and if you go back later it downloads as you mentioned.
It's happened a few times where the files are at 0 bitrate -- dead files. On the other hand I've had files that have a 0 bitrate and still actually have a size to them, e.g. 35 MB. So in that case, if I re-encode them they usually will work.
I've even had 0 bitrate on mp3 CDs? Several files are o.k. but many are at 0 bitrate. Some are completely dead and others are like the items I mentioned above that I can re-encode to save them.
At least with the downloads you have a choice but if they are CDs (multiple) it's extra work to have to re-encode them all.
Open to other suggestions, thanks, katy