How do I play RealAudio sound files?
How do I play .wav sound files?
Do I have to pay for the Windows Media(tm) Player software?
How do I install the Windows Media(tm) Player software?
Why can't I see the texts and listen to the recording at the same time?
The sound samples are not playing. Why?
Why do the recordings sound choppy or of poor quality?
Which sound samples are better, RealAudio or .wav?


How do I play RealAudio sound sound files?

To listen to RealAudio sound sound files, you'll need:

  • The most current version of the RealAudio Player. If you don't have it installed, you can download either a free basic version or a full-featured version from the RealNetworks Web site. Follow the download and install instructions on the RealNetworks download page.
     

  • An Internet connection of at least 14.4 Kbps. We recommend a 28.8 modem or faster to get the best sound quality.
     

  • A Web browser capable of handling "helper apps.," also known as "plug-ins." Netscape Navigator/Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are ideal. The RealAudio Player works from within your Web browser to help you listen to streaming audio.

Before you contact russianpoetry.net with troubleshooting requests or comments about sound sound file playability, please read RealAudio's Help and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Most common questions about installing and using the RealAudio player are answered there.
 
It is a good idea to test the RealAudio player first with a file on your computer's own hard drive, such as the "welcome.ra" file that comes with the player, before trying to listen to recordings on russianpoetry.net.
 

How do I play the .wav and .mp3 sound samples?

To listen to .wav and .mp3 sound samples you need to install the Windows Media(tm) Player on your computer. It's FREE and easy to install. If you do not have the Windows Media Player, you may get the Player now. You might also choose a non-Microsoft program, like the popular and excellent Winamp, which you may get here.

Do I have to pay for the Windows Media(tm) Player software?

No. The Windows Media(tm) Player software is FREE, as is Winamp.

How do I install the Windows Media(tm) Player software?

To download and install the Windows Media(tm) Player using Internet Explorer:

  1. Click "Get Windows Media Player now" below.

  2. In the box that pops up, select Run this program from its current location and then click OK.

  3. When the security warning appears, click Yes to continue installing.

  4. The program will then present you with an End User License Agreement. Click Yes if you agree to comply.

  5. While installing the Media Player, you'll specify your Internet connection speed. Choose between 14.4K, 19.2K, 28.8K, 56K Modem/ISDN, 112K Modem/Dual-ISDN, T1/Lan, or Unknown/Other. If you do not know your connection speed, ask your network administrator or refer to your modem documentation

  6. Click OK.

After you click OK, the Windows Media Player will open. You are now ready to listen to Windows Media sound samples.

Get the player now.

To download and install the Windows Media Player using Netscape Navigator or Communicator:

  1. Click "Get Windows Media Player now" below.

  2. In the box that pops up, choose the location to which you'd like to save the file. Click Save.

  3. When your download is complete, locate the file on your computer's hard drive and double-click it to run setup. The Windows Media Player Setup window will recommend you exit all applications before continuing with the player installation. Close all programs, then click Yes.

  4. The setup program will then present you with an End User License Agreement. Click Yes if you agree to comply.

  5. While installing Windows Media Player, you'll specify your Internet connection speed. Choose between 14.4K, 19.2K, 28.8K, 56K Modem/ISDN, 112K Modem/Dual-ISDN, T1/Lan, or Unknown/Other. If you do not know your connection speed, ask your network administrator or refer to your modem documentation.

  6. Click OK.

After you click OK, the Windows Media Player will open. You are now ready to listen to Windows Media sound samples.

Get the player now.

The sound files are not playing. Why?

The server may be down... the content may have been moved... or the link to the content may be wrong. In these situations there's not much you can do. In some cases, network congestion could cause the player to time out. So, keep trying, or try again later when there may be less traffic on the Internet or on your network.

Why can't I see the texts and listen to the recording at the same time?

This problem seems especially prevalent for users of outdated versions of Netscape which inexplicably opens sound files into the existing page. If you have Internet Explorer, you might try it, or you might try the latest Netscape version, which seems to have fixed the old problem. As a last resort, you might try right-clicking the link and choosing "Open in a new window" or "Save" and then open the file while viewing the desired page.

Why do the recordings sound choppy or of poor quality?

Many of the recordings were recorded nearly a century ago on poor analogue equipment. The "CD-quality .wav" files are more or less exact duplicates of the best extant copies of these recordings (digital copies of analogue recordings). Furthermore, many of these files are very large and therefore will only stream (start playing immediately) on faster connections such as a T1 line or cable modem. If a .wav sound file starts playing and then stops or sounds choppy, use your player's (or browser's) playback controls to pause playback until the sound file has finished downloading to your computer, then resume playback. You may also choose to save the files to your computer and play them back at a later time.

Which sound samples are better, RealAudio or .wav?

Our RealAudio recordings are designed to stream (start playing immediately) even over slower modems, while the .wav and .mp3 files are designed to sound better. If you have a 14.4, 28.8, or even 56k modem, click on RealAudio. If you have a fast Internet connection (e.g., ISDN, T1 line, ADSL or cable modem), or if you just want to hear higher quality samples, choose .wav files.


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