Weighing Multimedia
6E: Audio and Video Formats

It's hard to choose the right file format if you don't know an AU from an RA from a hole in the wall. Figure out which formats are better for bandwidth, and which suit you best.

Does Multimedia Have a Dark Side?
To paraphrase Pink Floyd, "There is no dark side of multimedia, really...as a matter of fact it's all dark."

AU files are small, but the sound quality leaves much to be desired

WAV files sound good, but they're huge

Video files suck bandwidth no matter what you do

Oh well. This Fall 1996 article gives you the pros and cons of common sound and video formats, both proprietary and self-contained. (To look on the bright side of multimedia formats, keep reading this page.)

Introduction to MPEG
A shorter, breezier synopsis of MPEG from the comp.compression FAQ.

RealNetworks Content Creation Tools
This documentation reveals something particularly convenient for developers: if you're using RealServer to serve up RealVideo or RealAudio clips, you're equipped with a Bandwidth Negotiation feature. That means you can set up RealServer to look into your users' bandwidth situation and play an appropriately sized clip. General documentation about all Real technology can be found here.

[Move on to Tip 7: Frames]