Not sorting properly; info missing

[mwidunn]

Information from the tags is missing, so VLC is not properly sorting files.

I use MP3Tag to update and correct tags. All the tags are there . . . VLC just is not showing them. The tags are also present in the file folder.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/3NXpHsh

I have noticed this occurring for years, but I am only now getting around to asking for help with it.

Does anyone have an idea about why this might be happening and how to fix it?

Thanks!

[Spike1]

I don't have the answer, but there are ID3v1 (at the start of the MP3, for quick display, but with fixed-length fields that are often inadequate) and ID3v2 (at the end of the file, more fields and lengths not limited). (There may be more variations, these days.)

If MP3Tag shows you which you have, you may see a pattern and be able to file a report they can act on.

I don't know which format governs. If an MP3 had an ID3v1 with null fields, VLC might never check for an ID3v2!

[Spike1]

PS—I just created an MP3 and tried it. Seems that, on a field-by-field basis VLC prefers the ID3v2 field, if present. I can make VLC (Tools / Media Information) ignore the v1 tag by creating v2 fields consisting of 1 space.

[mwidunn]

Thanks for the reply!

Here is an insteresting wrinkle: If I double click on each file below showing almost no information, then the file is played and the information is displayed. Only by doing that can I then sort properly.

VLC, this is unacceptable. Fix this, please!

[Spike1]

① So VLC seems to test each ID3v2 field, and if MISSING, look for an ID3v1 field. I propose they change that to "missing or non-visible."
② Whatever algorithm they choose should be consistent across VLC to avoid your follow-on oddity.
③ A workaround is for you to remove the problem fields or the entire ID3v2 tag. Cheers!