Compared to MP3, RealAudio gives a higher quality sound at the high levels of compression needed to deliver audio in real time over the internet. RealAudio is a popular format for streaming audio, consequently, there are millions of internet users who already have the necessary software to play RealAudio sound files. The RealPlayer software is readily available as a free download for those who do not yet have it. Streaming audio is a useful format for presenting web site visitors with an audio experience. The web site visitor does not have to wait for a file to download before listening to the audio clip.
Most web sites offer only text and graphics.
Adding audio to your web site adds another dimension, making your web site more memorable and more useful. Web sites that particularly benefit from streaming audio include sites which sell music or voice recordings. RealAudio files can be used to present potential customers with samples of the audio before the purchase is made. The audio samples from the recording can be long enough to give the customer a good idea of what they are buying, yet short enough so that the free audio sample does not replace the product for sale. Digital Audio can also be used to deliver the full audio product to the consumer, either by means of the internet or on a computer CD-ROM disc containing the digital files.