Creating media files

Files that can be played on RealPlayer software

[zenith2001]

Hullo

I wish to copy testimonials from a cassette tape and create media files that can be downloaded from the Internet and played on Real
Player software.

How could I go about it. I checked the Real Player publisher software, but it seems the price is around $290 and over. Maybe I am not looking at the right software.

Any help would be appreciated

Jeff

[oilman]

REAL used to have a free encoder that worked great but I can't seem to find it. This program [real.com] looks like it might do the trick. Just record the cassette to WAV (windows recorder should do the trick) the load it up and export it to G2.

[oilman]

hey hey - I found the old install program on an old backup disc. I've fired it over via email.

[zenith2001]

Oilman

I got the encoder fine. I very much appreciate your help.

Could you confirm the following:

a) Windows Recorder - Do i have to download this
b) What is G2

I am bit of a novice in this field.

Look forward to hearing from you

Jeff

[JamesR]

You can encode the files in a variety of formats, Real or Windows Media will handle files like MP3 so you don't have to worry about the G2 proprietary format.

You can take a program like Total Recorder [highcriteria.com], line in your tape player to your sound card and a registered version of Total Recorder can copy the files to WAV format. You then would want to encode to MP3 or WMA to get the smallest file size. WMA will give you better quality at lower bitrates (hate to promote M$ but it is true). You can get the latest WMA encoder with the latest Windows Media Player. Then, just load up the files to your website for download. That way you can avoid paying the exorbitant prices of Real Software. If you use Real's stuff and encode the files in .ra format, the only people that can listen to it have to have real player. Encode in WMA or MP3, and people can choose whatever player they want. This is essentially what oilman is telling you to do, just a couple more audio format options.

(edited by: JamesR at 9:10 pm (gmt) on Sep. 14, 2001

[JamesR]

Also, G2 is simply a Real Technology for streaming audio and video. You can read a bit more here

[service.real.com...]

[zenith2001]

James

Thank you for the great reply

Jeff

[toolman]

Just to add another voice here...I used to do quite a bit of encoding a while back. Stay away from Real if at all possible. Use MP3 and you'll do fine.

Real is one of the companies on the "spy ware" list...they are THE POSTER CHILD for that list.

[MadScientist1]

Also if you're interested in streaming your files you can use an embedded m3u tag to stream your mp3 files. Just make a text file with the absolute link to your mp3 file and save this file with the suffix ".m3u"

In terms of size and sound quality mp3 really is the way to go.

[Bobby]

Madscientist1!!!

You have no idea how long I've been looking for that command to stream mp3s!

Thank YOU!

Now...eh-hem...how can we make it work in Netscape?