Topic 16 of 395: RealAudio
Wed, Jul 24, 1996 (10:02) |
Paul Terry Walhus (terry)
RealAudio Player and Plug-in -- RealAudio is the first client to hit
the 'net that allows you to download and run audio clips in real-time
-- i.e. the clips run while being downloaded, not after. It is also the
first real-time audio client to offer plug-in support for Netscape 2.0
(in both Windows 3.x and Windows 95 versions). With the size of
many sound clips (250+ Kb not uncommon) and the sluggishness of
the web, the audio on demand made possible by RealAudio is
indeed a blessing for many users. By configuring RealAudio to run
as a plug-in module, Netscape 2.0 will automatically play *.ra files
-- sound clips are not only run seamlessly from your browser, they
are also started almost immediately after clicking on the file.
New features in the 2.0 release include live broadcast capability,
improved sound quality for 28.8 Kb and higher 'net connections,
and a Windows 95 version. Look for future beta releases to include
bandwidth negotiation (for customizing audio quality to your
connection speed), multimedia synchronization, and Java
integration capabilities.
While listening to RealAudio files is great
and all, there inevitably comes a time when you want to create and
serve your own files. Thankfully, Progressive Networks (creators of
RealAudio) has already created programs to create (RealAudio
Studio) and serve (RealAudio Server) *.ra files. The Studio version
is in beta release and can be downloaded for free right now. You
can create your own RealAudio clips with the Studio client, but
you'll need a specialized server for running the clips on the web in
real-time. If you decide not to purchase the RealAudio Server,
Progressive Networks lets you create your files with RealAudio
Studio and then hosts the files for you on their server.
Overall, RealAudio is a class-act app that will appeal to anyone who has
ever had to wait an eternity just to listen to a thirty-second .au or
.wav clip.
Pros: Real-time audio on demand; server, studio, and player
programs all available
Cons: RealAudio clips must be run from a specialized server in
order to run in real-time
New: Windows 95 version, improved sound quality at 28.8 Kb and
higher, live broadcast capability
Version Reviewed: 2.0 Official Release
Date of Review: 4/1/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud
Date Entered: 7/6/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud
16 responses total.
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 1 of 16: Harry Pike (maddog) * Fri, Dec 20, 1996 (15:21) * 5 lines
Realaudio 3.0 is now out, but will not work on my older 486 with windows 3.1 and 14,400 modem - does anyone out there have a copy of raplayer v2.0 in their possesion that they could share with me? It is no longer available at www.realaudio.com because they are pushing v3.0 now. I lost my backup of version 2.0 and, as a result, lost my realaudio (boo hoo) - I am hoping that someone can point me somewhere aside from www.realaudio.com to get a copy of the older release again. Or maybe someone who has one wou
d consider putting it in a .zip file and attaching it to e-mail to me at:
maddog@worldpath.net
I would be forever in your debt....
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 2 of 16: Happy Happy Joy Joy (maddog) * Sat, Dec 21, 1996 (22:23) * 2 lines
I am so impressed. My deepest thanks go out to David Bowles for finding me a copy of RealAudio v2.0 and e-mailing it to me within 24 hours of my original plea for help! I live in a mountainous area with very poor radio reception and had come to depend on news and info via the web and RealAudio until a recent computer crash made me realize I had no backup. My system and modem is too old and slow to run the new 3.0 version. David searched the web, found me a copy (in Italy) and mailed it to me - what a guy!
Hats off again to you David, and may you have a very joyous holiday season!
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 3 of 16: KornR (KornR) * Mon, Jan 20, 1997 (13:15) * 9 lines
DITTO.... I tried to use (actually the sites are forcing me! ) the new
3.0 and things went bad.
I have no choice but to go back to the older Ver 2.x.... I can't find it
on the web.
Please point me to a copy of the older Real Audio stuff....
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 4 of 16: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Jan 20, 1997 (15:52) * 1 lines
Check out http://www.childrenstory.com for RealAudio running at the Spring.
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 5 of 16: Tom and Jonathan (gilcarvr) * Fri, Jan 24, 1997 (18:12) * 2 lines
hey Kornr
what are your specs?...RA 3.0 is wonderful...if yu've got the speed...
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 6 of 16: jeremy (jeremy) * Wed, Apr 30, 1997 (15:06) * 1 lines
RealMedia can be streamed via http now. This means you dont need a "specialized" server, a good ol' fasion web server will do. Also, older Players are available on request. Ask the Real Support crew for an older player if your computer isnt up to spec. If your using the free player and you want to increase your buffer, try setting the player's bandwidth to 19.2 instead of 28.8. The 19.2 setting will play 28.8 clips.
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 7 of 16: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Apr 30, 1997 (18:08) * 2 lines
We're running a realaudio server on our bsdi machine now, should we
upgrage to realvideo?
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 8 of 16: Andrew Rugg (AkemisMan) * Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (03:40) * 2 lines
I have a 486 SX 33 and connect at 28.8k. At one time I had an earlier version that worked, although it tended to crash more often than I cared for. In trying to run a new version of Real Audio, I get an error message saying I need a math coprocessor. I thought I was downloading an audio program, not some high power math program. Real audio, get a life. It's not a math program!
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 9 of 16: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (11:52) * 3 lines
Guess you'll have to go back to the earlier version, as this version
may not see cpu's other than Pentium level.
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 10 of 16: MarciaH (MarciaH) * Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (15:35) * 3 lines
RealAudio and RealVideo not comes with picture viewer which is the easiest
way I have found to downsize very large photographs in preparation for
posting them.
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 11 of 16: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Sep 2, 1999 (10:05) * 2 lines
How do you use this feature?
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 12 of 16: MarciaH (MarciaH) * Mon, Sep 6, 1999 (21:35) * 3 lines
find it first (I did a find/file or folder) then plopped it onto my startup list. Boot it and open file and find the picture you want to change. You have
the option of cut and paste. I did that to Lview Pro and saved it that size.
When I booted the picture on Lview it was the reduced sized one which pleased me very much as none of the others could handle it.
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 13 of 16: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Sep 9, 1999 (01:15) * 5 lines
That's wild realaudio as an image handler. But you used Lview too?
Scratching head (I'm in a dense mood).
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 14 of 16: MarciaH (MarciaH) * Thu, Sep 9, 1999 (01:23) * 1 lines
When a friend sent me her first image it was tiff and too huge for Lview to handle - or MS photo Suite. I found this wandering around and tried it. It downloaded with my upgrade, I guess. Anyhow, it made a small picture of it and by cut and paste I moved it the same size (20KB as opposed to 451 KB tiff). I saved it on Lview and rebooted it to be sure it had saved the small size. It did! No idea how I came by it... Ooops it is Quicktime add-on. Not RealAudio.
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 15 of 16: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Sep 9, 1999 (09:01) * 3 lines
Oh, Quicktime, that 'splains it! I was beginning to wonder!
Topic 16 of 395 [apps]: RealAudio
Response 16 of 16: MarciaH (MarciaH) * Thu, Sep 9, 1999 (15:59) * 1 lines
that's why I checked it. I did not remember upgrading my Quicktime but I did upgrade my RealAudio...sorry for the misunderstanding. It is a nice feature, however...it got that huge picture down to reasonable size.
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