Fortunately, there are now systems available which avoid this problem by playing the audio as it is downloaded. The RealAudio player can communicate with a specialized RealAudio server in order to play back audio as it is downloaded, eliminating download delays even over long distances and slow modems. RealAudio now supports a variety of quality levels and non-audio features such as HTML pages displayed in synchronization with the audio. RealAudio players are available for Microsoft Windows, the Macintosh, and several Unix platforms. StreamWorks also provides streaming audio playback, again in conjunction with a special StreamWorks server.
Video is also available and can be played back over modems at reduced frame rates.
StreamWorks players are available for Microsoft Windows, the Macintosh and several Unix platforms. For Windows only at the time of this writing. Winplay does not currently offer a specialized streaming server. VocalTec's Internet Wave product is available for the Microsoft Windows platform only.