Bug 508744

Summary:	Error 8: Invalid Media File when streaming episodes
Product:	[Applications] kasts	Reporter:	paran.hm13
Component:	general	Assignee:	bart
Status:	REPORTED ---
Severity:	normal	CC:	kde.pettiness587
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	25.08.0
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	KDE Linux
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description paran.hm13 2025-08-26 02:48:39 UTC

SUMMARY
All podcasts episodes result in "Error 8: Invalid media file" when I attempt to stream them. This is true across two different podcasts. I have VLC installed as well as proprietary codecs (just in case). This is true for either backend audio option (G Streamer and QC Multimedia). This error does not occur if the episode is downloaded and then played.

Installed through App Center. Same issue persists if installed through Software Center. Issue occurs immediately on a fresh install.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Subscribe to a podcast
2. Right click episode
3. Select "Stream"

OBSERVED RESULT
"Invalid Media File" error

EXPECTED RESULT
Episode plays

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS

Linux/KDE Plasma: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
KDE Plasma Version: (I couldn't find this, my apologies)
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.14.0
Qt Version: 6.9.1

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Comment 1 kde.pettiness587 2026-01-26 20:16:47 UTC

I am seeing the same error and similar behavior using the windows version (26.03.70).  A difference is I cannot download the podcasts either.  It is only with certain podcasts however.  Others play as expected.

Comment 2 bart 2026-01-27 19:01:57 UTC

Please share info that is detailed enough to reproduce the issue.  E.g. particular episodes of podcasts that trigger the issue (specify the RSS feed url). If the issue cannot be reproduced, it cannot be solved.

Also, please realize that podcast episodes are usually meant to be downloaded, not streamed. I've noticed that, lately, a lot of podcast hosting services have enforced stringent limits on simultaneous connections from the same IP, or rate limits per IP. Switching quickly between streaming different episodes might trigger such limits. So if you can play an episode at a given time and you can't at another, this might also be the cause.

Comment 3 kde.pettiness587 2026-01-27 19:21:59 UTC

Thanks for the quick feedback.  I should have added that the error also prevented downloads.  I also have seen certain podcast sites (WSJ and NPR being two, but not all) that seem to cause most of the issues.  

I downloaded the build: kasts-master-4160-windows-cl-msvc2022-x86_64.exe.  I could not download 4167.  Either way, it seems to be working perfectly with the 4160 version.  I will also heed your suggestions going forward.

On Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 12:02, bugzilla_noreply@kde.org <bugzilla_noreply@kde.org> wrote:

> 
> 
> https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=508744
> 
> --- Comment #2 from bart@mogwai.be ---
> Please share info that is detailed enough to reproduce the issue. E.g.
> particular episodes of podcasts that trigger the issue (specify the RSS feed
> url). If the issue cannot be reproduced, it cannot be solved.
> 
> Also, please realize that podcast episodes are usually meant to be downloaded,
> not streamed. I've noticed that, lately, a lot of podcast hosting services have
> enforced stringent limits on simultaneous connections from the same IP, or rate
> limits per IP. Switching quickly between streaming different episodes might
> trigger such limits. So if you can play an episode at a given time and you
> can't at another, this might also be the cause.
> 
> --
> You are receiving this mail because:
> You are on the CC list for the bug.