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.wav The IBM and Microsoft-developed Waveform Audio File Format
(WAVE, or WAV) is a standard audio file format for storing an audio
bitstream on PCs. It is the primary format for uncompressed audio
on Microsoft Windows systems.
.mp3 The MPEG-1 Audio Layer III or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III is the basis
for the digitally encoded .mp3 audio files. It makes use of Layer 3
audio compression and was created by the Moving Picture Experts
Group (MPEG). MP3 files are compressed to a size that is one-tenth
that of WAV or AIF files.
.aac Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) is a common audio container format
for compressed digital audio and music data. In comparison to
the prior audio formats, this format is improved in a number of
ways and offers greater sound quality at the same bitrate. AAC is
a flexible format that works with the majority of operating systems,
including as Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPod, iPad, Nintendo,
Web Players, PlayStation, etc.
Multimedia on the Web
A “browser” is a must for anyone who wants to use the World Wide Web. People may visit websites and
view the text and images there thanks to browser software. By the middle of 1995, Netscape’s Navigator was
predicted to hold 75% of the browser market. The major improvement to Netscape was the addition of “plug-
ins,” which were once referred to as “helper applications”. A plug-in is an application that runs independently
of the web browser and provides functionality like audio and video playback for viewers. At that time, there
was no way to watch a movie without a plug-in. Beginning in early 1996, there were at least 25 plug-ins for
Netscape that provided a range of ways to greatly improve websites.
When Microsoft’s Internet Explorer was released, Netscape was up against stiff competition. The application
provided a number of features that were similar to those offered by Netscape as well as a few that Netscape
really lacked, such as the ability to play Microsoft Video for Windows animation files without the need for a
plug-in. It is possible to configure Netscape for Macintosh or IBM-compatible computers to react to practically
any file format automatically. Steps:
Click on Edit → Preferences.
Select Applications from the selection box at the window’s top when it appears.
Select the radio button for the action you want Netscape to perform: save, run the helper application, or
use the built-in reader. Next, locate the row for the multimedia file format you want to automate with a
helper application.
You must click Browse once and choose the proper software if you want Netscape to launch a helper
application.
Any application can be set up to function as a helper application.
Notes
For a pictorial representation of the above steps visit the webpage
https://ed.fnal.gov/lincon/tech_helper.shtml
Customising and Embedding Multimedia Components in Web Pages 159

