| This article is a simple introduction to Streaming Audio | | | | contains a link pointing to the MP3 you want to stream. |
| and how it can be added to your website or CD ROM | | | | The file is then saved with an '.m3u' extension. (without |
| without expensive software, hardware or dedicated | | | | the quotation marks). In other words this little m3u text |
| streaming web hosting. | | | | file acts as a 'go between' to link, the link on your |
| Lets start at the beginning. | | | | website, to the audio file to be listen to. All the support |
| What is Streaming? | | | | for streaming is already built into your visitor's |
| Streamed audio, be it MP3 or any other types of audio | | | | computer. |
| you may want to stream enables you to start listening | | | | How do I Set Up Audio Streaming? |
| to audio long before the file has downloaded | | | | Here is how you configure your files. I will assume you |
| completely. It's a bit like reading a letter while someone | | | | know how to make an HTML link or have a |
| is still writing it! | | | | WYSIWYG software program to allow you to create |
| What are the advantages of Streaming Audio? | | | | one, although the easiest way is to use Notepad. |
| There are several advantages to streaming. Firstly, | | | | Imagine your audio file is called 'reggae.mp3' and it's in a |
| your visitor will be able to listen to your audio very | | | | folder called 'mp3s' it's saved in a website folder called |
| quickly. This is important, as we all know how impatient | | | | 'website' and it's on the 'C' drive. The file path would |
| web surfers are. Visitors to your site want to be able | | | | look like this C:website/mp3s/reggae.mp3 and this file |
| to listen to your audio as soon as possible. | | | | has been uploaded to your web site in the normal |
| Let's look at what happens when a visitor arrives at | | | | way. |
| your web site and wants to listen to an MP3 audio | | | | Now we have to create the m3u file (our 'go |
| that isn't set up to stream. | | | | between') to link reggae.mp3 to the link on your |
| In a non-streaming set up the link on your web site | | | | website. To create this file, open notepad, and type in |
| points directly to the audio file on the server. When the | | | | your full web address (URL) file path, and name of |
| link is clicked, a window will appear asking where the | | | | your mp3 file. In our example it would look like this: |
| file is to be saved, and once that's been decided, the | | | | Now save the file as C:websitemp3sreggae.m3u |
| download commences. Audio files tend to be large so | | | | (make sure it's saved with the.m3u extension) and |
| the chances are it's going to take some time to | | | | upload to your web site. |
| download, especially if the visitor is using a slow | | | | The next thing to do is to add the link on your web |
| Internet connection. The end result is that if your visitor | | | | page that will point to the m3u file (our 'go between' |
| waits around long enough for the download to finish - | | | | file) not the mp3 file. In our case it will be |
| all well and good, but the downside is they have a | | | | Now when someone clicks on your link, the m3u file |
| copy of your audio saved on their computer. | | | | comes into action, the default player opens and your |
| This may not be what you want, as it could be your | | | | mp3 starts to stream. |
| copyrighted material you have given away. Although it | | | | Can I Set Up More than one Audio File to Stream? |
| is much easier to record streaming audio with readily | | | | If you have more than one MP3 you want to steam, |
| available software these days, there's no point in | | | | create another 'm3u' notepad file for each MP3 you |
| making it easier than necessary for people to save | | | | have, upload the files to your site and point your link to |
| your audio, plus they may not want large files saved | | | | the new 'm3u' file. |
| on their computer. | | | | Can I stream MP3's continuously? |
| If you were to set that same file up to stream, and | | | | If you want one mp3 to follow on straight after |
| someone clicks on the link, Windows Media Player, | | | | another, then create a file with the.m3u extension as |
| Real Audio Player, or which ever player your visitor | | | | normal but instead of just one file, you list the mp3 file |
| uses to listen to audio would open, the file would start | | | | paths under each other like this:h t t p: / / w w |
| streaming, and within a very short time your visitor | | | | w.website.net/mp3s/reggae.mp3h t t p: / / w w |
| would be listening to your audio. NB; The time taken | | | | w.website.net/mp3s/reggae2.mp3h t t p: / / w w |
| between a visitor clicking on the link and hearing some | | | | w.website.net/mp3s/reggae3.mp3 |
| sound will still depend on their Internet connection | | | | So in this case when someone clicked on the link in |
| speed but it will be much quicker than a non-streamed | | | | your web page it would open reggae.mp3 followed by |
| file. | | | | reggae2.mp3 followed by reggae3.mp3 |
| Is Stream Audio Difficult to Set Up? | | | | I hope this introduction has helped you with your audio |
| No! It's very easy, it just involves a simple text file that | | | | streaming. |