Choosing an Audio Format
Which audio format or system you choose depends on your communication goals, the scale of your site, and your budget. Table 24-1 provides suggestions for some common scenarios. Consider them only as starting points for researching the solution that best meets your needs.
Table 24-1. Suggested audio formats
| Audio needs | Suggested formats |
|---|---|
| Short voice greetings | WAV, AIFF, QuickTime (via regular HTTP server), MP3 |
| Narration (news broadcasts, interviews, and other voice-only content) | Streaming solutions such as RealAudio, Windows Media, or QuickTime for large audiences; RealAudio or QuickTime via HTTP server for limited traffic and few simultaneous listeners |
| Background music (ambient sound loops) | MIDI, Beatnik, WAV |
| Short interactive sound effects (such as button rollover and transition sounds) | Flash, Shockwave, Beatnik |
| Music samples for a limited audience | MP3, RealMedia, or QuickTime via HTTP server |
| Music samples for a large-scale site with heavy traffic | Complete streaming solution, such as RealSystem or Windows Streaming Media |
| Radio-style music broadcasting | RealMedia System, streaming MP3s (via a streaming server such as SHOUTcast), Windows Media System |
| Distribution and sale of CD-quality audio | MP3, Liquid Audio |
| Live broadcasting | RealMedia System, QuickTime, Windows Media System |
| Musical e-greeting card | Flash, Beatnik, MIDI or WAV background sound |
| Specialized audio applications (such as virtual CD players, mixers, etc.) | Flash, Shockwave, Beatnik, QuickTime |