Should
I use sound on my site?
As with anything on the web, you have to think of your audience
first, since it's their modem speed that determines whether
or not your site gets across or not. The standard audio format
is .wav and has several quality levels: 11000 Hz, 22000 Hz,
and 44000hz, with 44k being equal to about CD-quality. However,
since .wav files are raw and uncompressed, usually taking
up to 10mb per minute at max quality, for web purposes it
is best to use the lowest setting, in mono (rather than stereo,
which would take twice as much memory).
What
is "streaming" media?
A few years ago, in order to view a video or audio
file on the web, you had to wait for the whole thing to download.
Knowing the size of such files, you had to be a very patient
person.
Now, however, there are certain plug-ins and software
packages that permit you to view a file as it downloads. An
initial portion is sent, and as that plays, the rest of the
file downloads, building upon itself slowly. This also allows
"live" video feeds to the internet, so you can watch a newscast
as it's been broadcast, or run a live teaching seminar with
a world-wide audience. The possibilities are extremely varied.
Which
software packages support streaming media?
Real Media's Real Player
(and related packages), Macromedia Shockwave Flash 3
and Director
6.x, Media Conveyer's Web Producer.
What's the difference between each?
- Real Media's software is geared towards pure sound
and video, like television and radio. No interactivity.
- Macromedia's programs are designed more with an
interface/presentation feel, though they can handle video
and audio extremely well.
- Web Producer is interesting in that is has audio/visual
syncing capability, so if a character speaks, the mouth
movements match the speech. It is also very good for low-speed
connections. Its media is usually animated shorts and presentations.
There are more programs out there, but those are the
primary examples in use at the moment.
What is Macromedia
Shockwave?
Shockwave lets you create animated interfaces, interactive
games, stream CD-quality audio, and add a whole new dynamic
dimension to your site. It involves only two components- the
Macromedia Shockwave Flash player, and a program to create
the Shockwave "movies", such as Director 6.x, Flash, or Authorware,
all produced by Macromedia.
Rather than a static set of buttons and the same ol'
frames format that you've been using, Shockwave gives you
the ability to go completely crazy when designing your site.
Transparencies, anti-aliased (i.e. perfectly smooth- no jagged
edges) graphics, animation galore, streaming media so there's
minimal download time before you see results- just visit macromedia.com to see all it has to
offer.
The Shockwave Player plug-in is included with new
and future versions of Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
It is also freely downloadable from Macromedia.
What
is Dynamic HTML (DHTML)?
DHTML is a fairly recent development for the web.
In the technical terms from Netscape Developer Central:
"Dynamic HTML is a set of technologies incorporated into
Netscape Communicator which provides the next major step forward
in the evolution of HTML. Static content is transformed into
interactive applications. Dynamic HTML is based on technologies
developed in conjunction with the World Wide Web Consortium,
including HTML, style sheets (CSS1 and HTML positioning),
and JavaScript. Together, these technologies support richer,
more dynamic content"
Thanks to DHTML, web sites can now enjoy a more interactive,
intelligent, user-oriented environment. It is now possible
to do things that were out of the reach of standard HTML.
For more info, visit Netscape Developer
Central.
At the moment, DHTML is supported only by 4.0 browsers.
How do I put Real Audio/Video
on my site?
That is actually a rather lengthy process to explain
here. It would be best if you went to the experts at http://www.real.com/. We support HTTP streaming.
The following link explains what is needed for HTTP streaming.
The MIME type have already been configured on our servers.
http://service2.real.com/solutions/RAP00623.HTM
How could I use MIDI?
For the uninitiated, MIDI is a language that electronic
musical instruments use to "talk" to one another. If two synthesizers
are connected via a MIDI cable, striking a note on one will
cause the other to play the exact same note. MIDI is not digital
audio. There is no actual recorded music transmitted. All
MIDI is, in its simplest form, is a collection of note information,
instructing the involved instruments what to play. It's a
control protocol.
How does this affect you? Many if not most computer
soundcards come with an extremely basic synthesizer in them
that can play various tones. Using MIDI, you could embed a
MIDI file in your web page and when it downloads, it causes
your soundcard to play the melody contained within the file.
Usually, the tone will have a quality similar to that of old
computer games or video game systems, so it's best just to
use a simple song. Free MIDI files are downloadable all over
the internet. Many famous Hits have even translated into MIDI
format, so you could a version of your favorite song on your
site.
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