I've noticed that many of my downloads contain hexidecimal codes in the "comments" tags included in the "Properties" section of my files.

I always delete them when I clean-up and add specifics to my file catalog.

Does anyone know what are these blocks of codes used for?

Thanks! :-)

I've a suspicion it's due to tag version incompatibility. For example, iTunes has limited id3 tag abilities & has problems reading the more advanced ones.

I did read a year or two ago that those hexadecimal codes can be converted. It can be either a language or font issue on original computer the tag was set. The answer was unicode or something, I can't remember now.

So I am not totally sure how to overcome it, but those possibilities above as causes.

If you have any other mp3 tag programs, check whether they can read those comments, then convert them over.

From what I just googled, the standards for tagging can be a bit broad, as such problems may result from tagging in a particular program when then the tag shows up in another that has a slightly different definition or approach to the tag.

I googled to not much avail Apple - Support - Discussions - random id3 tag changes ...

.ataWhat?:. (half way down page)

LOL! Thank you Lord of the Rings! That's exactly what I've been experiencing, " .... it has a random number sequence in the comment field, such as 000002C6 00000330 00000F38 00001080 00049425 0003F7B7 000060B2 00006C45 0003D090 00024A35. "

I have in fact seen the iTunes versions listed in those mp3 files too, but I didn't think that the file encoding had anything to do with the hexidecimal garbage. I had originally thought that it was some kind of programming language used for file tracking.

I learned something new today, not often that it happens, but I love when it does. :-)

Thanks for the answer and supplying the Apple link! :-)

All of the best.