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Back
to main F.A.Q:
Real Audio and Video
1.
Can I stream Real Audio
and Video.
2.
Where can I find more
about Real Audio.
3.
General Information on
Real Audio.
1.
Can I stream Real Audio and Video.
- Top
Yes
you can stream real audio and video
with any hosting plan. Fees are based
on a per client basics. Contact
sales@acsi.us for pricing.
Below a few samples
click
here for A 56k MODEM
click
here for DSL/Cable
Notice! These above presentation
requires the use of the real audio
player which may be downloaded
here for free.
2.
Where can I find more about Real
Audio.
- Top
RealAudio.com
Real
Audio Help
Search
Real Audio Knowledge Base
3.
General Information on Real Audio.
- Top
The
following information contains general
information about
RealAudio. Specific questions about
its features and functions
should be addressed to sales@realaudio.com.
What is RealAudio?
RealAudio refers to a client-server
based system which allows
web sites to deliver (or
"stream") pre-recorded and
live
compressed audio data to multimedia
computers with a RealAudio Player.
The Player continuously decompresses
the audio stream and plays it in
real time, on demand. Unique flow
control technology allows computer
users with sound cards to listen to
whole clips, or just sections,
when they want, as often as they want.
Not counting the player, the system
has two components, the
RealAudio Encoder and the RealAudio
Server.
RealAudio Encoder
The encoder is a software only
solution (no proprietary hardware
required) and is used to convert the live or prerecorded
content into the RealAudio or RealVideo formats. The 3.0 Encoder
will encode .wav, .au and live raw audio data including sound from CD
players, tuners, microphones
and mixing boards. Download RealAudio
Encoder from:
www.realaudio.com/products/encoder/realaudio/
RealAudio Server
RealAudio 3.0 features broadcast
quality audio over the Internet for
the first time. RealAudio 3.0
technology introduces stereo sound to 28.8 Kbps modem users. Version 3.0
also introduces scaleable bandwidths between 28.8 Kbps connections and ISDN
connections and above, producing near CD quality sound at ISDN
connections and beyond. Content
providers can select from multiple codecs at the
same bandwidths to enable them to customize RealAudio sound for
different content types.
The delivery system has been enhanced
by improving the communication
reliability with Robust UDP and other
features designed to improve sound
quality, including PerfectPlay (with
the RealAudio Player Plus) and
Bandwidth Negotiation. Download a
RealAudio 3.0 Server license from:
www.realaudio.com/products/server/
How Does the System Work?
RealAudio technology utilizes an
interactive system between the
RealAudio
Server and the RealAudio Player to
enable real-time audio delivery over
the Internet. When the user clicks on
a link on a Web page, the audio
buffers and then begins to play, all
within a few seconds. This gives
the deceiving impression that the
RealAudio file is linked directly to
the
Web page. In reality, information is
passing between the Web server
supporting the Web page, the RealAudio
Server supporting the audio file,
and the RealAudio Player. When the
user clicks on the RealAudio link,
it is actually activating a metafile,
which in turn sends the location
of the RealAudio file to the Player.
The Player then sends a signal to the
RealAudio Server requesting that file.
The file is sent to the Player
and played as it is received. The
entire process is completed within
seconds.
How Does One Deliver Live Content?
The RealAudio and Video system will
allow you to stream prerecorded files
on demand from your web pages. It will
also allow streaming of live content
in realtime. Real-time encoding and
serving technology allows
organizations
to broadcast live events including
breaking news stories, sporting
events,
corporate meetings, and more, live, as
they're happening, without time
delays.
In a live situation, the RealAudio or
video encoder must be connected to the
Real server so that the incoming audio
or video can be compressed into the
Real format and be streamed over the
internet (or intranet). Clearly, this
assumes you'll need two machines...one
for the encoder and one for the
server.
Generally, when doing live encoding,
the encoder should be run on its own
dedicated machine! Additionally, the
encoder may be at a remote location
apart from the server (perhaps at the
live event or radio station in
question)
or it may be on the same network as
the RealAudio/Video server. In
situations
where the RA/RV encoder will be remote
you may send the newly created RA/RV stream from the RA encoder to the
RA/RV server simply by specifying the destination of the server. The stream
will then be sent over the Internet
via TCP/IP to be received by the
server...and then multiplied and
streamed
out to the listners. When the encoder
is remote, you can send the stream to
the
server via: a dedicated internet connection (min.
56kbs or 64k ISDN).
The experienced audio technician may
seek professional results by
experimenting
with a number of different techniques
including compression, noise gating,
equalization and normalization
equipment. A list of such equipment as
well
as other hints for getting the best
sound with RealAudio can be found
here:
www.realaudio.com/help/content/audiohints.html#Other_Refs
What are the Memory and Sound
Requirements?
The RealAudio server allows you to
freely stream your live content
without
saving it to hard disk, thus making
for a maintenance free system that
wont
fill your hard drive with large files
on a daily basis. However, in some
instances you may want to archive live
content for play back at a later time.
The RealAudio server provides such an
option.
Audio Storage
Depending upon the level of audio
compression, RealAudio files require
hard disk space equal to approximately 1.1 - 2.4
kilobytes per second of audio.
Sound Requirements RealAudio will encode most common
monaural PC formats. RealAudio 2.0
comes with two audio encoding algorithms. The
RealAudio 14.4 algorithm provides AM
sound quality, while the 28.8 algorithm offers FM sound
quality.
EXAMPLES OF AUDIO FILE STORAGE
REQUIREMENTS:
Program length RealAudio RealAudio
14.4 kbps 28.8 kbps
1 hour 3.6 MB 8MB
5 hours 18 MB 40MB
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