Greetings,

I'm looking for a new host for some music sites that would have sound samples in Real Audio and Windows Media format.

Any recommendations? What's the best way to go about doing the research? Is there a recommended website for searching for hosts?

Thanks very much in advance...

e.

You don't need a special host for audio files; just about any host will handle RealAudio or Windows Media, and both those formats can be streamed without any special additional software. (With RealAudio you add a ".ram" file, and Windows Media Player automatically streams all formats it supports).

However, if you have a specific need for RealAudio Server or the Windows Media streaming server software, you'll have to look around for a host that specializes in those. That not usually something you need, unless you want to do things like variable bit rate files or live streaming. Expect to pay more for a host that offers these (and you usually won't find a host that offers both, usually it's either one or the other).

Intelligent Hosting is right in this :)

But please keep in mind that streaming audio is going to cost you a lot of money for bandwidth!

And it will be a good idea to get a fast host, so people with broadband connections don't have to wait for a slow connection to your server.

Hmm, the only host I can think of which offers what you want is http://eryxma.com I've never tried them before, and doing a search of them here didn't result in much information. Perhaps you can take a look at their forums to read about their customers' feedback.

If you'd like to have more choices to pick from, I suggest you post a request under Webhosting Requests with your requirements, and then run a search on the hosts that responded to your thread.

Good luck. :)

Intelligent Hosting, thanks for the reply!

Obviously I'm in the dark about some things: so are you saying that I don't need a Real Audio server to stream CD sound clips on a site? I just throw a link to a .ram file and it works?

I'm guessing when you refer to "variable bit rate files" you mean the Real Audio files that change depending on the receiver's download speed?

Thanks again for the help.

e.

I would suggest getting an Unlimited Bandwidth account. LOL :rolleyes:

Actually make sure that you get enough transfer. Most any host will accept Real Audio and Windows Media Player.