Here is some information if you are having problems getting Echoes On-Line programs to load or play without interruption.

There are several types of Real Player, from a free version to more capable upgrades available for a fee, all downloadable from Real.com. One of them is likely to be bundled with whatever browser you are using to explore the web, but it may be helpful to go to the Real Audio site and make sure you have a recent update.

All Echoes On-Line programs are encoded in stereo using newer codecs, so the Real Player 8 or more recent is required to stream the files properly. We recommend checking the Real.com site and updating to the most recent player. The free player, and the more flexible paid version are equally capable of streaming Echoes On-Line audio.

If you have problems downloading, installing, starting or using RealPlayer, please contact RealNetworks online support. They can answer technical questions regarding RealPlayer software. You can call Real at 888-768-3248, Monday-Friday 7:30AM - 7:30PM and Saturday-Sunday 8AM-8PM PST.

If you're still having problems, we'll try to help. Read through the topics below, and if you are still having trouble, email us with your question or problem and we will respond within one business day. Send your message to echoes@echoes.org with Real Player Help in the subject line. We can't trouble-shoot your computer, but we may have some tips that can help.

Encoding format

Our encoding format is Real Audio SureStream, which combines several different data rates, optimised for dial-ups as well as cable and DSL modems. You need a recent RealAudio player, the RealOne is the most current, to hear Echoes programs online. If you don't already have it on your computer, you can get a free download.

Different Streaming Rates

SureStream is Real Network's technology that connects the server and your player and automatically adjusts to make sure the player is receiving the data fast enough. Echoes programs are encoded at several different rates, and SureStream reads the speed of your connection, and sends data (Echoes programs) at the fastest rate your connection can handle.

Internet Connection

If you have a very slow dial-up connection, or a noisy phone line, you may experience problems attaining a sufficient data rate to stream the program without dropouts and re-buffering pauses. As your connection speed increases, the audio quality will as well, so although you should be able to listen to the programs over a 28.8 dial-up connection, they will sound much better, and be interrupted less, with a faster one. The fidelity of the audio is quite good over DSL and Cable Modems, so these faster connections are highly recommended, but not required.

Sound Quality

Although many computer speaker systems can produce good sound, try to keep in mind that a small plastic speaker sitting beside your computer monitor won't sound quite as full and rich as your full-range stereo speakers. Computer speakers can easily crackle and distort if fed too much volume even if the audio signal is clean. You may need to experiment a bit to find the right balance of volume on the speakers and other settings.

Here are a few things you can do to optimize the sound.

Be sure not to drive any portions of the audio chain too hard: cranking up the output level on the Real Player or adjusting the equalizer in extreme ways is likely to degrade your sound, as will boosting the settings in any other control panels. You'll have better luck turning up the volume on your speakers or amplifier, or even running the output of your soundcard into a conventional stereo system.

Encoding audio to stream over the Internet involves some audio quality compromises, but does not introduce distortion, so assuming you're getting normal reception of streaming data on your Real Player, then you should get fairly clean sound while playing Echoes On-Line. Audio streamed over a very slow connection can have a metallic, ringy sound, so try to optimize your connection speed by using the fastest modem you can, and good phone wiring that's not too long.

If you are still having problems, check your preferences in Real Player. Under the "view" menu, select "preferences," then click the "performance" tab. Make sure that settings are appropriate for your system. If you are not experiencing problems, there's no need to adjust

Other technical issues that can affect streaming playback:

If you have don't have a lot of RAM on your computer, you'll get better performance from Real Player (fewer dropouts or interruptions in play) if you quit additional programs, especially RAM-hungry applications that use up system overhead. Or, because RAM is relatively inexpensive these days, and will help your computer's performance when streaming content from the internet, get more RAM installed in your computer and increase the memory allocations for both your web browser and for Real Player.

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