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MP3: How big is too big for online use?

What is the size of am MP3 that's too big to listen to online?

I suppose it streams and starts playing pretty quick regardless of the size, right?

Does this mean any size if fine? And it's a question of how much bandwidth the user is willing to use?

Curious.

Thanks.

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jmcg

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curiouswebster

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What are the pros and cons of MP3 versus streaming?

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jmcg

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curiouswebster

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Actually, I do indeed want users to have their own copies of the file.

So, only some applications will let them listen while it downloading? If they are downloading it from a web browser, does that narrow the field of applications at all?

Anyway, should that fact force me to have small files? A smaller file will download quicker so does this translate to great overall play times?

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Predrag Jovic

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curiouswebster

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I like the concepts. What is the best way to offer both a streamed (low quality) version and an MP3 (high quality) version? I want this option to be visible and standard, doing it like others do it on their websites.

I can make one recording in Audacity, then create the 44kHz, 192kbps or higher MP3.

What output format do I use for the streamed version?

curiouswebster

ASKER

I guess THE QUESTION on streaming, is where is the quality threshold which would force the player to start and stop? I guess that depends on bandwidth, but the point is I hate bad sound quality. I wonder that's the best it can be and still stream continuously, for most internet connections?

curiouswebster

ASKER

thanks