UW-MILWAUKEE LIBRARIES AUDIO E-RESERVE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Table of Contents

  1. What software do I need on my computer to listen from an audio e-reserve page?

  2. When I click on a link that ends in a file size or a timing - any link that doesn't end with (Classical) or (Naxos) - I get this or a similar error message:
    • Page can not be displayed, cannot find server (Internet Explorer 6)
    • Firefox doesn't know how to open this address, because the protocol (rtsp) isn't associated with any program (Firefox 2)
    • No response (Netscape 7)
    • Something opens in Quicktime but doesn't play (Mac)
    NOTE: Error messages will differ from browser to browser and in different versions of browsers. If you are not sure if this is your problem please click the link above. The first step of the answer will confirm whether or not this is in fact the problem you are having.

  3. Can I change streaming audio sound quality on Classical Music Library and/or Naxos Music Library? The audio is choppy, the player often stalls and says "buffering...", or the sound quality is poor.

  4. Can I listen from off campus?

  5. My question isn't on this list. What do I do?

  1. What software do I need on my computer to listen from an audio e-reserve page?

    Audio E-Reserve pages are made up of links to library subscribed databases and a streaming server in Madison. The required software is determined by what is linked to on a particular page.

    Links to Classical Music Library and Naxos Music Library, these links end with (Classical) or (Naxos), require Windows Media Player. Other links require RealPlayer. Free versions of these players can be downloaded from the links below.

    In addition to these players your computer may need to download some browser plugins. Browser plugins are small programs designed to help larger programs work with your web browser. These downloads are something that your computer can do on its own (that is, you shouldn't have to go to a web page to get them) but it will ask for your permission before downloading.

    • Windows Media Player
        Windows and Mac versions of Windows Media Player can be downloaded from this link. Select your operating system from the "Select Version:" drop box to find the version that will work best with your computer.

        If the link above does not work please try this one: Windows Media Player: Recommended Player versions

    • RealPlayer
        Before downloading please check the system requirements (these can be found at the link above) for the newest version of RealPlayer to find out if it will work with your computer. If your computer does not meet these requirements you can download an older version of RealPlayer from the Real Legacy Software Archive.

        Getting the Free player:

          The RealPlayer web page changes on a regular basis and often makes it difficult to get at the free version of this player. Don't download the 14-Day FREE Trial as this will require payment after the 2 week trial is up. If you are asked to register on this page you have clicked on the wrong link. Please back out and try again.

          Clicking on the buttons shown below at the RealPlayer page should get you started in the right direction.

            Window users: Click the "Free Download" button that looks like this:

            Mac users: Click the button that looks like this:

    For more specific information on individual database requirements please consult:

    Return to the Table of Contents

  2. When I click on a link that ends in a file size or a timing - any link that doesn't end with (Classical) or (Naxos) - I get this or a similar error message:
    • Page can not be displayed, cannot find server (Internet Explorer 6)
    • Firefox doesn't know how to open this address, because the protocol (rtsp) isn't associated with any program (Firefox 2)
    • No response (Netscape 7)
    • Something opens in Quicktime but doesn't play (Mac)
    NOTE: Error messages will differ from browser to browser and in different versions of browsers. If you are not sure if this is your problem please click the link above. The first step of the answer will confirm whether or not this is in fact the problem you are having.

    These errors occurs when RealPlayer doesn't know that it is responsible for playing the kind of audio file linked to on the page. The solution is to manually tell RealPlayer that it is in fact responsible.

    To confirm that you are in fact having the problem described above please click one of the listening links below:

    Take Five: Dave Brubeck (File size=2600K)

    Riley / In C (20:00)

    • If clicking on a link above gave you the same error message you received on the listening list for your class please continue to the directions below for Windows or Mac to fix the problem.

    • If clicking on a link above DID NOT give you the same error message you received on the listening list for your class this is not the solution for your error. Please return to the Table of Contents.

    For Windows:

    NOTE: These screenshots and directions are specific to RealPlayer version 10.5. Screens and directions may differ slightly for other versions.

    1. Open RealPlayer by clicking: Start > All Programs > Real > RealPlayer > RealPlayer.

    2. On the menu bar (at the top of the player) click Tools; then, in the drop down menu click Preferences.... This will open the "Preferences" window.

      NOTE: You may need to click the button circled below to access the Tools menu.

    3. Click Media Types in the "Category" window on the left side of the screen (see screenshot below). This will open the "Media Types" window on the right side of the screen.

    4. In the "Media Types" window on the right side of the screen click the circle to the left of Manually configure media types for RealPlayer then click Select... (See screenshot above). This will open a new window titled "Media Types."

      NOTE: These screenshots and directions are specific to RealPlayer version 10.5. In other versions of RealPlayer the "Media Types" window on the right side of the screen may look very different. For some previous versions of RealPlayer you may only need to click Advanced for this step.

    5. Scroll down near the bottom of the list (past the heading "Other Media") in the new "Media Types" window and click the check box next to Real-Time Streaming Protocol (See screenshot below).

      Click OK to save this change and close this "Media Types" window.

    6. Click OK to close the "Preferences" window.

    7. Close RealPlayer.

    8. Please click one of the links below to confirm that your problem has be fixed:

      Take Five: Dave Brubeck (File size=2600K)

      Riley / In C (20:00)

      If you are still encountering an error message please return to the Table of Contents.

    Return to the Table of Contents

    For Mac:

    NOTE: These screenshots and directions are specific to RealPlayer version 10. Screens and directions may differ slightly for other versions.

    1. Open RealPlayer by clicking: Finder > Applications > RealPlayer.

    2. In the menu bar at the top of the screen click RealPlayer then click Preferences... from the drop down menu (see screenshot below). This will open the "General Preferences" window.

    3. In the "General Preferences" window click the Media Types icon to change the window to "Media Types Preferences" (see screenshot below).

    4. Click the check box to the left of Real Time Streaming Protocol and then click Save Media Types (see the screenshot above).

    5. Close the "Media Types Preferences" window.

    6. Please click one of the links below to confirm that your problem has be fixed:

      Take Five: Dave Brubeck (File size=2600K)

      Riley / In C (20:00)

      If you are still encountering an error message please return to the Table of Contents.

    Return to the Table of Contents

  3. Can I change streaming audio sound quality on Classical Music Library and/or Naxos Music Library? The audio is choppy, the player often stalls and says "buffering...", or the sound quality is poor.

    Both Classical Music Library and Naxos Music Library allow users to change the streaming rate (sound quality) of audio. Dial-up users may want to lower streaming rates to fix choppy audio. DSL and Broadband users can in some cases raise streaming rates to increase sound quality.

    • For Classical Music Library:

      Classical Music Library by default streams at 22Kbps (kilobits per second) resulting in sound quality equal to FM radio. This allows dial-up users to listen with minimal difficulties. Users with higher speed connections many wish to raise the streaming rate for better sound quality.

      Please consult Classical Music Library's Service Guide concerning Streaming Quality for directions.

    • For Naxos Music Library:

      The UWM Libraries' default streaming rate for Naxos Music Library is 64Kbps (kilobits per second) resulting in near CD sound quality. Individuals using dial-up internet connections (generally connecting at 56kbps or lower) will have choppy audio with this default setting. Lowering the streaming rate to "FM" quality sound (20Kbps) should even out the playback.

      Click the buttons available on the player itself to change sound quality. See the screenshots below for the location of these buttons. The currently selected sound quality is highlighted with red text.

      Note: "FM" and "Near CD" quality sound are available on most recordings. "CD" quality sound is only available on select recordings.

    Return to the Table of Contents

  4. Can I listen from off campus?

    Yes you can. But you may need to download some free software to your computer first. Please click here to be sent to the question above: What software do I need on my computer to listen from an audio e-reserve page?

    Once you have the required software click here for directions to the listening page and directions on how to sign in from off campus.

    Return to the Table of Contents

  5. My question isn't on this list. What do I do?

    E-mail your question to the UWM Music Library at Ask-Music.

      Please include as much of the following information as you can:

      • A description of your problem.
        • Please be as specific as possible. Too much information is always preferable to not enough.
          • Which link specifically are you clicking on?
          • What happens after you click on it?
      • What professor/class is the listening for?
      • Is your computer a PC or Mac?
      • What operating system:
        • For Windows: Vista?, XP?, etc.
        • For Mac: OS X?, OS 9?, etc.
      • What internet browser are you using?: Firefox 2?, Internet Explorer 6? or 7?, Safari 2?, etc.
      • What media player are you using?: Windows Media Player 10? or 9?, RealPlayer?, Quick Time?
      • Are you trying to listen from on or off campus?

    OR

    Consult one of the following help pages that applies to the link you are having trouble with:

    Return to the Table of Contents

For more help in planning your research, Ask a Librarian.