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A brief discussion of the
steps involved
 Record an
audio clip that you would like to use in your course. You can
read about the hardware and software required
for this step. Audio clips recorded on Windows platform computers
are often captured in the .wav format. They are often referred
to as .wav files.
Convert your
audio clips to streaming format. There exists a variety of
software to perform the conversion. The RealTechnology software
that that converts media files from native to streaming format
is called an Encoder.
RealTechnology produces three Encoders. There is a product for everyone.
Real Producer is the most basic tool. It is free and a good
place to begin if you are new to this area. Using
Real Producer will be discussed in detail.
Real Producer Plus and Real Producer Pro have more features,
but they are not free. You can look at a comparison
chart of the three Encoders.
You can also use the Shareware program Cool
Edit96 to open a .wav file and encode it to produce a file
in the RealMedia format.
Create a web
page that plays the streaming audio or video. If you are using
Real Producer, a wizard will help you through the steps associated
with creating a web page that plays your media clip.
Publish your
web page to a server. You would place the web page with a link
to an audio file in the directory for your course. However, the
audio clip itself may reside in a different directory or maybe
on a different server. Where the media clips reside depends on
where your College RealServer software is installed. You will probably
need to ask your system administrator about where the media clips
should be located.
What is the Function of the RealServer
Software?
You do not need to read the explanation below unless you really
want to know how it all works!
Reference the diagram below as how the components needed to stream
media are explained. If you are interested in more details, or plan
to administer RealServer, you should read the RealNetworks RealServer
Administration Guide.
1. A student visits your course with a web browser and clicks on
a link that you have created to the streaming audio and video of
a lecture. The link is to streaming media files that are stored on
a RealServer.
2. The RealServer receives a request for the streaming media of
the lecture from your student creates a small file called a metafile. RealServer
sends that small file to your student's browser.
3. The student's browser receives the metafile and transfers it
to the RealPlayer software. The metafile contains the address of
the location of the streaming media file that the student wants to
play.
4. RealPlayer reads the address of the media file contained in the
metafile and requests that file from the RealServer.
5. The RealServer streams the media file directly to the RealPlayer
where it is played for the student.
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