---

---

---

Welcome to the Internet Multicasting Service's Audio FAQ Department.

The Internet Multicasting Service operates what we believe is the largest public access audio-on-demand server on the global Internet. To help make your visit here more enjoyable and productive, we've enlarged our FAQ section to try to answer the full range of your audio file format questions.

The Internet Multicasting Service currently supports four audio formats: .au, .gsm, and .ra, and .mpeg. Each requires an audio player (sometimes referred to as a "viewer" or "client") to enable your system to read the file and to allow playback through your speakers or headphones. Your selection of audio formats will depend on what kind of Internet link you have, what type of program you wish to listen to, and what kind of system you are using.

Information about specific audio formats and tools depends on your platform:

• For Unix users
• For Microsoft Windows users
• For Mac users

Sun .au format
The .au file format is generally considered the de facto standard for audio on the Internet, especially for unix based platforms. Your system should be setup properly by default. If not, here is a good reference guide to help set up your Unix system for a .au or at IUMA.

GSM format
You will find here absolutely everything you need to know about gsm format (characteristics, players, etc).

Real audio format.
There is currently NO RealAudio player for Unix, but check the RealAudio home page for further details on future availability of a player.

Support for Xing Technology's Streamworks is available here.

Sun .au format
There are a lot of different players for Microsoft Windows.

If you are using Netscape, it provides a player which will be automatically installed on your system. This player will allow you to play .au files.

If you are not using Netscape, here is a location where you will find different players for Microsoft Windows like Wham, Wplany...

An installation guide for Wplany can be found at IUMA.

GSM format
You will find here absolutely everything you need to know about gsm format (characteristics, players, etc).

A very cool streaming GSM player is available here. Check out Real Time Audio.

Real audio format. You will find the Real time audio player (for .ra file) at the RealAudio home page.

Support for Xing Technology's Streamworks is available here.

GSM format
You will find here absolutely everything you need to know about gsm format (characteristics, players, etc).

Real audio format. You will find the Real time audio player (for .ra file) at the RealAudio home page.

Support for Xing Technology's Streamworks is available here.

• The Audio Page
• Audio Engineering Society
• Other related sites

Comments or suggestions to IMS
Internet Multicasting Service Home Page

---