There are two audio systems that are widely used by classical
music stations broadcasting on the Internet. They are Real
Networks' Real Player
and Windows
Media Player.
In addition, a more and more stations are adding MP3
and Ogg Vorbis streams. The most commonly
and widely used player for these two formats is Winamp
version 5.09 (or later). Other stations are using the Quicktime
format, and the player most widely used for this format
is Apple's Quicktime
Player.
We
have received a number of queries from visitors who have had difficulty
playing MP3 streams on either Real
Player or Windows Media Player.
In our experience, MP3 streams WILL NOT
play properly (or in some cases at all) with these players. Download
and use WINAMP Version
5.09 (or later) to play MP3 streams.
Real
Player has a tendency to "hijack" file associations
from other programs. If after downloading WINAMP,
an MP3 stream still tries to play in Real
Player, simply copy the stream's URL from the error message that
Real Player generates, paste it into the
"Location" box in WINAMP and
click on the "Play" button in WINAMP.
To download Real
Player (we
now recommend Version 10)
software, go here. To download
Windows
Media Player
(Version 10) software, go here.
To download Quicktime
Player software,
go here. And
to download Winamp
(Version 5.09 or the latest version)
software, go here.
In all four cases, the procedure after the file is downloaded is the
same. Run the downloaded file, follow the onscreen instructions,
and the program will install itself.
Once
the program you desire is installed, go to a web site which offers live
streaming in your chosen audio software and click on the streaming link. Within
one to three minutes, depending on the speed of your internet connection,
you should be hearing the audio for the station whose site carries that
link.
For a more detailed discussion of these various audio applications visit
our Techies page.
A
note about buying a new computer that will work well with audio streaming.
A good rule of thumb is to double the amount of RAM memory that the
computer makers are currently advertising. For example, nowadays most
middle of the road computers come with 1GB of RAM, so assume that you
should upgrade to 2GB of RAM memory. It's one of the least expensive
and most effective ways to make your new computer more efficient.
CNET.com
has just published (April, 2008) a handy Guide to Understanding
Online Music Stores, where you will find help figuring out where
and how to download music for your portable music player.
Good
luck, and enjoy!
