Building Web Sites All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

Chapter 2. Using Sound

In This Chapter

• Discovering audio formats for the Web

• Working with Flash, QuickTime, RealMedia, and Windows Media audio

• Audio tips and tricks

Some people think Web sites are just pretty pictures and text. But that's all changed. You can add sound to a Web site without breaking a sweat. When you add sound to a Web site, the sound streams into the user's browser. The user must have the proper plug‐in to hear the audio content. In this chapter, we show you a thing or two about sound. Now Web sites can be seen and heard.

Exploring Audio Formats for the Web

Audio for Web sites is saved in formats that enable the sound to stream into the visitor's browser. Streaming sound is similar to an interlaced picture that loads in stages. With streaming sound, the sound begins as soon as enough of it downloads into the user's browser to play without interruption. The most popular audio formats for the Web are

• AIFF: The AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) sound format was once exclusively for Macintosh users but can now be shared cross‐platform. This format uses the .aif and .aiff extensions and is played through the Apple QuickTime Player.

• Flash: You can import audio into a Flash document, optimize it, and then publish the document as an SWF file. Add the published file to a Web page, and you've got sound, baby.

• QuickTime: The Apple QuickTime player can play video and audio files. The player recognizes the AIF, AIFF, and MOV sound formats.

• MP3: The MP3 audio format is a derivative ...