RealAudio or MP3 ? (Pros and Cons)

Subject: RealAudio or MP3 ? (Pros and Cons)
From: Stefan Wirz
Date: 15 Feb 02 - 04:12 AM

I finally managed to add some sound clips of out of print vinyl to my website (eg. the John Miller and Dick Rosmini discographies)
Having published both RealAudio (G2, pro: streaming; con: sound quality) and MP3 (pro: sound quality; con: loading time) I'll soon come to the end of my account (even though it's 275 MB)
Question therefor: What do *you* (as possible 'customers' of this 'service';-) prefer as sound format: RA or MP3 ???
Or is there another solution to my problem ?
Any help is very much appreciated,

Stefan

Subject: RE: RealAudio or MP3 ? (Pros and Cons)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Feb 02 - 05:03 AM

I like having the option of RealAudio when I want to listen to something on a website, especially something I''m not familiar. It's a nuisance to have some lengthy download, and then find it's not what you want. Even if it is, it's good to be able to listen without the waiting.

If space wasn't an issue the best thing would be to give visitors both options. If there's not room for both, I think the streaming one is the one to keep.

Subject: RE: RealAudio or MP3 ? (Pros and Cons)
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 15 Feb 02 - 09:54 AM

I agree with McGrath. (scans nicely)
Given the slightly above minimal quality of my PC speakers, sound quality is not so much an issue for me. Ditto given the nature of the recordings I listen to via PC (e.g., HonkingDuck is a current favorite site).
I prefer the convenience of RealAudio's streaming.

Subject: RE: RealAudio or MP3 ? (Pros and Cons)
From: IvanB
Date: 15 Feb 02 - 10:36 AM

Given the purpose of the site, I think RealAudio is the format of choice. I believe people looking for mp3's tend to want complete songs, whereas, for a sound clip, they usually prefer streaming audio.

Subject: RE: RealAudio or MP3 ? (Pros and Cons)
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Feb 02 - 12:43 PM

Real Audio is convenient, but sometimes you want music in a format that can be manipulated or converted for copying to disc...etc.. if you want to give people that option, MP3 is the way to go, as RealAudio works VERY hard to be sure anything put in RA format stays there. They do NOT want it messed with.

I am given to understand that many consider MP3 to be higher quality, but that is a minore point for me...I just hope that those who have no need to 'control' song files will consider the more 'user friendly' format.

Subject: RE: RealAudio or MP3 ? (Pros and Cons)
From: Justa Picker
Date: 15 Feb 02 - 01:30 PM

MP3.