Shockwave Audio is Here!

This week Macromedia's Shockwave adds audio and streaming functionality previously only found in expensive server-side products like RealAudio.

Overall this is a huge plus for those of us who have been using Shockwave all along. The new audio features are astounding. Users can now get up to 88:1 compression and stream audio from servers without any specialized software. Here is some of the information about this new addition to the Shockwave technology. Next week we will look at some of the sites that are using Shockwave Audio. Until then you can download the new Shockwave plug-in.

Audio Streaming and Compression In Shockwave

Macromedia's Shockwave now provides a new way to create, package, and play audio files across the Internet, using Macromedia SoundEdit 16 version 2 and Macromedia Director version 5. The information and instructions included in this document should be used in conjunction with the Shockwave for Director Developer's Guide.

You can use Shockwave audio streaming and compression technology to:

• Add compression to internal audio cast members in shocked Director movies.
  
• Create streamable compressed audio files to be used as external cast members in shocked Director movies.

Shockwave audio incorporates streaming and compression technology that enables you to create audio files compressed from 11:1 to 88:1 at various bit rates (from 8Kbits/sec to 160Kbits/sec). Quality varies from FM to output indistinguishable from audio CDs.

This is a scalable technology, well suited to compressing audio files to a desired size and bit rate, from modem speeds to Ethernet.

Using Shockwave, you can:

• Deliver compressed, streaming audio
  
• Deliver high-quality audio at low bit rates (8 and 16 Kbits)
  
• Compress audio at up to 88:1
  
• Use standard servers and TCP connections
  
• Leverage the Shockwave plug-in to play back your audio (no separate player is required)
  
• Create elaborate interfaces in Director to deliver your compressed or streaming audio.
  

Is Streaming Audio In Shockwave Different From RealAudio?

Shockwave audio streaming and compression technology and RealAudio technology serve different needs. You need to decide which technology is appropriate for your purpose.

To integrate high-quality streaming and compressed audio into your Shockwave movies using standard servers, use streaming audio in Shockwave.

To broadcast real-time events to a large number of users at once, you should use RealAudio.

Both Shockwave and RealAudio technologies have their strengths and weaknesses, as shown in the following table.

Shockwave Requires that audio be preexisting. Scales to as many simultaneous streams as your standard server can handle. Does not require a specialized server. Uses TCP/IP and will not conflict with firewalls. Scales up to CD-quality and provides noticeably better quality at low bit rates. Audio streaming and compression are built in to Shockwave.

RealAudio Can provide "live" encoding in real time. Can "multicast" to a set number of streams. Requires specialized server products. Can conflict with some firewalls. Provides up to AM quality audio. Requires an additional plug-in and player for Netscape.

Past installments of Simply Shocking