A/V streaming brings the Web to life ... almost

Article Abstract:

Eight streaming-audio programs are evaluated, three of which support real-time video. The audio programs are far more functional than the video programs, yet they do not compare to average computer-sound quality. Progressive Networks' RealAudio is the best streaming-audio product available. The server allows user allocation of bandwidth and is the prime alternative for 28.8Kbps speech material. Macromedia's Shockwave is set apart from all other products being evaluated since it does not contain dedicated encoder and player utilities. The superior two-channel audio editing tool for creating Shockwave material is the $299 SoundEdit 16 for Macintosh. DSP Group's TrueSpeech is a streaming-audio solution that provides adequate frequency range at no cost, but its distortion is distracting. Although VDOnet's VDOLive streams video and audio, it is most useful for video applications. VDOLive is priced from $1,195 to $11,995, and features limited audio performances of 28.8- and 14.4Kbps bandwidths.

RealNetworks Inc., Audio software, Voice recognition software, Speech recognition software, Macromedia Inc. (San Francisco, California), MACR, Sound/audio software, Videoconferencing software, Product evaluation, Disk/file compression software, Data compression software, DSP Group Inc., DSPG, Top rating, VDOnet Corp., Truespeech (Voice response software), VDOLive (Video server software), RealAudio (Sound/audio software), ShockWave (Desktop video software)

---

Tools for storytellers

Article Abstract:

Screenplay Systems' $399 Dramatica Pro 2.0 offers the most comprehensive story development software of the four reviewed applications. It encourages in-depth and complex story development and analysis, but requires a thorough understanding of Dramatica Theory and a steep learning curve. The $129 Collaborator III is easier to use and helps users gradually write a story, but it lacks any in-depth analytical detail of dramatic elements and any printed documentation. The $295 Blockbuster application is a straightforward solution, but its FoxPro database engine is somewhat stodgy in appearance and feel. The $199 Plots Unlimited 1.04 offering provides interesting branching pathways that are formulaic, yet fun. It offers the best way to envision parallel plots.

Vertical market software, Radio/TV/entertainment industry software, Screenplay Systems Inc., Dramatica Pro 2.0 (Vertical market software), Plots Unlimited 1.04 (Vertical market software), Collaborator III (Radio/TV/entertainment industry software), Blockbuster (Radio/TV/entertainment industry software)

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Burning your own gets easier ... and more complex. Audio to go: PCMCIA sound cards. Audio tools shun DSPs
• Abstracts: Reading the digital tarot. Is NT in your future? Can Microsoft play monopoly with Windows 95?
• Abstracts: Software that uses the extra speed. Animator Studio adds audio, 24-bit color. 3D Studio changes are more than skin deep
• Abstracts: ActiveMovie to replace Video for Windows. Windows CE fires up handheld PCs. Doing the (lo)commotion

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.