Choosing the Right Web Audio Format

If you're looking to expand your web presence using audio, you need to select the right audio format for your needs. There's no shortage of formats which is why you need to take the time to choose wisely.

You may already be familiar with several of the formats listed, but others you may not. Read on to find out more.

RealAudio

This is by far the most common audio streaming format. It was the first streaming technology on the web and its popularity has grown due to its highly accessible features. This server side streaming technology is ideal for showing audio streams to large audiences. The technology allows the stream to match the listener's bandwidth, thus reducing compression while still offering a satisfactory viewing experience for the user. The one disadvantage to this server side technology is the delay between the user's request and the audio's arrival. Because of this, it's more suitable for longer streams.

Windows Media

As you would imagine, Microsoft's streaming solutions are also very popular and are not only limited to audio. They also allow video, animation, and other multimedia to be played back using Windows Media Player. This technology supports most media file types, works very well on Windows, and is easily playable on any machine using the Windows operating system.

QuickTime

Originally aimed at Apple users, QuickTime is now a standard format to deliver audio, video, and other multimedia to both Apple OSX and Windows. One of the chief advantages of the QuickTime format is that it supports multiple audio file types and is the most accessible for users, whether they use a PC or Mac. It also cuts down on the need for plug-ins. The QuickTime user interface is also very attractive and will likely become an increasingly popular audio format.

MP3

The vast majority of audio files you will find on the web are MP3s. The beauty of MP3s is that they combine great sound quality with small file size — up to 12 times smaller than standard WAV files. While MP3 is traditionally used for downloading and uploading audio files, it is fast becoming a popular streaming format. It's a little more complicated to set up than other formats but offers many advantages including being the most compatible format.

Beatnik Rich Music Format

The Beatnik Rich Music Format, known as RMF, is an excellent option if you want to provide an interactive soundtrack on your website. One of its biggest advantages is that it uses a MIDI compression format so file sizes are very small. However, Beatnik isn't for computer neophytes. It's a relatively knew technology that relies on common scripting languages like JavaScript, so it can be difficult to achieve smooth playback.

Liquid Audio

If you actually want to sell or distribute music through your website, then Liquid Audio is should be your first choice. There are four products available: Liquifier Pro, Liquid Server, Liquid Player, and Liquid Express.

If you simply want to stream basic audio or music, then RealAudio, Windows Media, MP3 and QuickTime will be sufficient for your needs. If you need interactive audio, or you want to sell your audio, then consider Beatnik or Liquid Audio.

 

Written by: David C Skul - CEO

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