SeekTo (Seekbar) doesn't work

Problem Description

When implementing seek functionality, you might encounter an issue where the seek bar (seekTo) action fails. This problem often arises when the media player cannot seek beyond the actual duration of the file, even if the duration has been overridden in the code.

What You Might See

• The seek bar does not move to the desired position.

• Attempts to seek beyond the actual duration result in no action or an error.

• The media player behaves unexpectedly during seek operations.

Root Cause

This issue occurs because the media player relies on the actual duration of the file for its status management and operations. If the file's metadata indicates an incorrect duration, the media player cannot seek beyond the true end of the file. This is especially problematic if you have overridden the duration in your code, as the media player will still adhere to the file's actual metadata.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Verify the Actual Duration: Ensure that the media file's metadata reflects the correct duration. Use tools like ffprobe or media player properties to check the actual duration of the file.

2. Reformat the Media File: If the file's metadata duration is incorrect, reformat the file to update its duration metadata. You can use audio editing software or command-line tools to achieve this.

   • Using FFmpeg:

     ffmpeg -i input.mp3 -codec copy output.mp3

     This command copies the audio data while updating the metadata, ensuring the duration is correct.

3. Test Seek Functionality: After updating the file, test the seek functionality to ensure it works as expected. Use the seekTo method to move the seek bar to different positions within the actual duration of the media file.

Alternatives and Recommendations

• Use Reliable Media Files: Ensure that the media files used in your application have correct and reliable metadata.