What software do I need?
QuickTime... available as a free download from www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
(both Macintosh and Windows compatible versions available)
I have QuickTime and a fast network connection, but I get an error message when I click the play button.
Error messages may include:
"You need Quicktime 5 (or later)... "
"Error-2002: a bad public movie atom was found in the movie"
"Invalid URL... "
This problem is usually caused by a default QuickTime setting on your computer which needs to be changed for School of Music, Theatre & Dance streaming audio and video to work correctly.
1. Open the QuickTime Player application.
2. Go to QuickTime Preferences.
Macintosh - QuickTime Player menu -> QuickTime Preferences
Windows - Edit menu -> Preferences -> QuickTime Preferences
3. Click on the Streaming tab and set the Streaming Speed to the correct speed for your network connection (the default setting in QuickTime 7 is "Automatic" which does not work)... any setting 256Kbs or higher will get you the highest quality version of our streaming audio files. Streaming video files require a minimum connection speed of 256Kbps, 1Mbps or faster connections will get the highest quality video.
4. Return to your web browser and try to connect to the streamed audio or video file again.
What kind of network connection do I need?
The streaming format currently in use for new audio content requires a 128Kbps data rate. Music prepared in the past as online listening for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance can be listened to with a 56k modem or faster network connection. There are actually three versions of each audio file on the server, each optimized for a different speed network connection. The faster your network connection, the better the music will sound.
If you have a fast network connection (DSL, cable modem, UM campus network), be sure that the QuickTime "Streaming Speed" (see below) is set to 256Kbps or faster in order to make sure you receive the highest quality audio file.
I have installed QuickTime but still get the message "To listen to this audio, you will need QuickTime 5 (or later) and a 56k modem (or faster) network connection." when I click on the play button.
Check the QuickTime Settings for "Streaming Speed" (see above) and be sure that it is set to "56k Modem" or faster.
I have a software/hardware firewall installed on my computer/network, can I still listen to the streamed audio?
Yes, but depending on your firewall settings you may need to modify QuickTime's "Streaming Transport" settings:
1. Go to the QuickTime Preferences, click the Advanced tab and "Custom..." for Transport Setup.
2. If you DO NOT have a firewall installed, the transport setting should be "Use UDP, RTSP Port ID:554". This is the most efficient transport method, but it will not work if those ports are not open on your firewall.
3. If you DO have a firewall on your network connection, streaming transport should be set to "Use HTTP Port ID:80".
4. Close the preference window, then try playing the online audio/video again.
What is audio "streaming"?
Audio streaming is a method for delivering music over the internet. It is different from downloading an MP3 file... your computer will be able to start playing the music after just a few seconds of buffering, even if the selection is very long. However, you will not be able to save the audio file to your computer. You can only listen by linking over the network to the audio streaming server.
In what format is the music encoded?
Audio is currently being encoded for streaming in MPEG4 format using the AAC codec with a data rate of 128Kbps (Stereo, 16-bit, 44.1KHz).
Older content on SMTD listening pages was encoded as MPEG Layer-3 Audio (MP3) at three different rates optimized for different network connection speeds...
44.1 kHz 16-bit Stereo (256 kbps connection needed)
22.05 kHz 16-bit Stereo (112 kbps connection needed)
22.05 kHz 16-bit Mono (56 kbps connection needed)
If you have further questions, please email the SMTD Webmaster Group.