New York, NY. The parade of key interactive audio software announcements continues at IMA Expo’96 in New York. Today, the attention grabber is Progressive Networks, with its introduction of RealAudio System 3.0.
This is the first version of RealAudio to deliver stereo. The new release also features more reliable audio delivery via improved transmission protocols. A beta version is available immediately from the Progressive Networks web site.
“We’re excited by the many new applications now available to our customers through the introduction of broadcast-quality sound on the Internet,” stated Rob Glaser, Chairman and CEO of Progressive Networks. “This breakthrough marks the beginning of the next era in Internet multimedia broadcasting.”
RealAudio 3.0 is also the first Internet product to ship using DolbyNet™ technology from Dolby Labs. This technology uses new audio codecs created jointly by Progressive and Dolby. The new codecs produce increased frequency response and error mitigation, with reduced levels of audio artifacts. Producers and developers can also select from various encoding options to optimize for different bandwidths and tuning options such as pop, instrumental and voice.
“RealAudio 3.0 truly delivers stereo sound at 28.8 and near-CD quality at ISDN bandwidths,” added Mike Homer, Senior V-P of Marketing at Netscape Communications. “We expect to see many new Internet applications based on this new broadcast-quality audio.”
More than 40 providers have announced plans to launch content utilizing the stereo sound featured in RealAudio 3.0. Early adopters include music labels Sony, Warner, Polygram, BMG and MCA; web music sites including AudioNet, SonicNet and ENSO/Muzak; radio networks Evergreen and Infinity; and national broadcasting companies including CBS Radio, NBC, ABC and the CBC.
“I can’t believe how far RealAudio has come in just 18 months,” said Kathryn Dillon, V-P, Production and Technology, ABC Multimedia Group. “The broadcast community will really stand up and take notice of RealAudio 3.0 stereo quality and plan new broadcast applications. ABC intends to announce new services and programming using RealAudio 3.0.”
In a demonstration of the audio quality possible with the new system, Seattle classical music station KING-FM aired three selections directly from a RealAudio player in their studio. The audio was delivered via ISDN from a server at Progressive Networks’ head office. The player output was patched directly into the KING-FM station feed and sent out to the transmission tower.
“The result of the test confirms in my mind that RealAudio 3.0 truly delivers broadcast-quality audio over the Internet,” said KING-FM GM and Program Director Peter Newman. “Our audience consists mainly of experienced classical music listeners who demand the best in audio quality. Our listeners couldn’t tell the difference!”
Another innovation in RealAudio 3.0 is the capability of serving small audio files from regular web servers, without a dedicated RealAudio server. This “pseudo-streaming” feature will be included as an option with the RealAudio 3.0 Encoder, available now from the RealAudio web site.
Leading the parade today was Apple Computer Inc., which announced its Interactive Music Toolkit. Music Toolkit is a set of software tools for creating “Blue Book” enhanced audio CD’s (ECD’s). It is designed to allow audio producers, developers and artists to create multi-session ECD’s that can be played on both Mac and Windows platforms.