Which format should I try?
Real Audio 3.0 and Windows Media sound clips are smaller than MP3 files and so will take less time to download. Also, the players for these types of files also begin playing sooner after you click on the link for a sound sample. Either of these are probably the easiest formats to use and which one you pick most likely depends on which player you have installed on your system.
MP3 files are of higher quality, however, so this might make a good choice, especially if you have a faster connection to the Internet.
How do I play RealAudio 3.0 sound clips?
To listen to RealAudio 3.0 sound clips, you'll need the most current version of the RealAudio Player. If you don't have it installed, you can download either a free basic version or a full-featured version from the Real.com web site. Follow the download and install instructions on the RealNetworks download page. RealPlayer products are available for both Windows and Mac systems.If you have difficulty playing Real Audio 3.0 sound clips, please read RealAudio's Help and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Most common questions about installing and using the RealAudio player are answered there.
Before trying to download a Real Audio 3.0 file from the Internet, it is a good idea to test the RealAudio player first with a file on your computer's own hard drive, such as the "welcome.ra" file that comes with the player.How do I play Windows Media sound clips?
To listen to Windows Media sound clips you need to install the Windows Media™ Player on your computer. If you do not have the Windows Media Player, you may download it from the Microsoft Windows Media web site. This free product is available for both Windows and Mac systems.
How do I play MP3 sound files?
Most newer Web browsers will play MP3 sound files automatically when you click on them. One application that plays MP3 files is the Windows Media Player, described above. In addition, MP3 jukebox applications are available from various web sites. One basic free jukebox is the Real Jukebox, which you can download from the Real.com web site.
Why does playback sometimes pause during playback?There are two common reasons:
- The Internet becomes busy (network congestion) so that data being downloaded to your player doesn't arrive on time. When this happens the player needs to wait until the data is available to continue playback.
- A sound player application can play the music faster than it can be downloaded over the Internet. This is especially true for slower connections and for higher quality formats, such as MP3. When this happens, the player must stop playing music since the data has not arrived yet from the Internet server. When sufficient data is available, the player automatically continues. For larger music files, often the only solution is to wait for the entire sound file to download from the server and then play the music.