Large-MP3 uploading/playing

[rsp2rsp2]

Hey people. New guy here. I have a small issue & thought I would reach out to forums to get some feedback.

I have a beginner’s-build web site (using www.asiaregistry.com & their Easy Site Wizard site-builder non HTML templates) that I built. I have always had a single mp3 link on this site. I believe the method of MP3 storage is to upload it onto the host’s servers (not some external address somewhere). This always worked just fine (although taking a few minutes for the MP3 to be accessible since it was a rather large 9mb file @320kbit).

I am not sure if this next noted change is relevant but recently, I made an extra long MP3 that totals about 49mb (@ 320kbit). Like always (with my own computers loaded with QuickTime), the large file plays okay (despite that I must wait about 7 minutes for the 49mb to download).

Now, I am starting to asking other people out there to use their DSL-internet-powered computers to try to click on the link, monitor THEIR download time & see if they can play my new large MP3 link. Many people are reporting to me that they cannot get the MP3 song to play (even if they have the same powerful internet connection & a fast computer). Some are saying that they are prompted to download a player plugins that they already have.

What might be the problem here? On my web site, should I lay out some special instructions if the link does not play for someone (like suggesting an alternate media player or making sure the listener has a special plugins in their computer)? Or, is the problem that I have chosen 320 as a Kbit for my MP3? Yes, the file IS big (sampled at the highest MP3 rate). However, like I said, I can get it to play just fine in my 3 computers at home (using QuickTime).

Should I be using a different method to storing & linking my MP3 song? Some are saying I should upload the song to an external address location & use an alternate type of player. If this is truly best, I hope someone out there can give me an simple explanation on how to do this. Step by step would be nice.
Thanks peoples.

[Eye for Video]

Wow… you’re covering a lot of ground hear. So I’ll try break it down into sections the best I can.
First thing is the file size and bitrate. 320kbps for just audio is really overkill in my opinion. YouTube videos are only about 250kbps and that includes both the audio and video. So while you may want the audio to sound the very best possible, remember that most listeners will have all sorts of speakers hooked to their machines, very few that use the most expensive, distortion free sound system that you might find on a stand alone stereo system. Most will be cheap add on or built in speakers and would not be able to distinguish between super great and really good audio. So do some testing to see if you can lower the bitrate and save some bandwidth.
Of course lowering the bitrate will result in a smaller file size but it seems that you may have more problems than just file size. So are you saying that the audio file has to download completely before it will play? Is the mp3 just for downloading and not “Click the button and listen”? Or are you using a QuickTime media player embedded in the page to play the audio?
If your listeners are having problems getting the mp3 to play, it probably is because they need the browser plugin… even if they have a QT player on there machine, the web browser may not have the plugin. Or if you are just linking to an mp3 without an embedded player, the browser may be having problems determining how to open and/or play that file type.
It sounds like you are asking others to test … play the mp3 on their machine. Without knowing how it’s placed on the page it’s kinda hard to understand all the issues related to slow download and/or not playing.
Can I suggest that you look into placing a flash player on your page to play the audio. First, it’s much more cross browser friendly than QT. Second, if you are having to wait 7 minutes for the download, the server is not progressively downloading to the QT plugin. Nearly all host will progressively download to a Flash player so the only wait is a few seconds at the beginning while a little bit of the file buffers. Then the rest is downloaded while you are listening.
Not sure what you mean by “upload the song to an external address location”..?? Your host should work just fine. But you want to make sure the server will progressively download the audio files, so put a media player on the html page.
Here is a site with dozens and dozens of mp3s, all played by a Flash player, which progressively downloads. Very little wait time. Bitrate varies a little but usually is about 200+, file sizes between 10-25MB.
http://www.uncledoodad.com/live/live.html
Best wishes,
Eye for Video
www.cidigitalmedia.com

[rsp2rsp2]

Thanks much. I will take your advise & look into flash players & a slightly lower bit rate.