I need some help with 32bit integer WAV files

[Videogamer555]

I'm writing a program that writes audio data to a mono 32bit little endian signed integer values. I set everything like I normally would in a PCM wav file, set one channel, 11025 samples/s, but for bits/sample I set 32 (instead of the normal 8 or 16). I then calculated the proper byte rate and block allign header entries, and went on to write the headers and audio data like a normal wav file. However it Windows Media Player does NOT recognize it. VLC player on the other hand DOES recognize it.

I found the software GoldWave DOES CORRECTLY produce a wav file that is the same specs (mono 32bit little endian signed integer) as my wav file. It turns out that it also uses an extended header, but also includes a FACT chunk, and also uses the compression code 0xFFFE (I have no clue what this does) in the format header instead of the normal compression code 0x0001 (PCM). If someone could shed some light onto the compression code value 0xFFFE for me, I would really appreciate it. Is it just a nonstandard value? Or does Microsoft WMP recognize it for some reason? Also which of the 3 things that are DIFFERENT from a normal PCM file (using extended header, using a FACT chunk, or using the compression code 0xFFFE) do you think is repsonsible for causing WMP to recognize it?

I'd like to know so I can create a program that writes a VALID (recognized by WMP) wav file that is mono 32bit little endian signed integer?

[Cornucopia]

It could be a little more involved than that. I've worked with 32bit LPCM WAV files before, so I'd be happy to help, except I'm right in the middle of a long-awaited Upgrade/Rebuild of my family mediaserver. I'll try to get back to you tomorrow or Monday P.M. if noone else has posted the info.

Things to consider:
WAVEFORMAT vs. WAVEFORMATEX/WAVEFORMAT_EXTENSIBLE chunk structure

I can get you a (short) list of the standard acceptable compression codes.

Note, most media players (like WMP, etc) don't understand 32bit WAV natively in any flavor. I've only seen conversion apps, Editors/DAWs that support it.

'Til later,

Scott