Understanding QuickTime; For Listeners

What is "QuickTime"™ ?

QuickTime™ is an Apple Computer technology that allows Video, Music, Text, Graphics and more, to be presented over the internet or through a network connection.

Plug-in vs. Application

There are two distinct elements that allow QuickTime to function in two distinct modes. The first element is the QuickTime browser plug-in. This plug-in is automatically installed to your computers default internet browser by the QuickTime installer, ( if you have more than one browser, the installer will allow you to choose additional installs one at a time). In this mode, your browser (Netscape, Internet Explorer) will play files directly from web pages.

This mode is good for listening when you are surfing the net or just have your browser up in the background for e-mail purposes. Be aware however, that other internet pages and activities (such as downloading files, or Java script ) will affect the streaming performance and may cause skips and breaks. This scenario is mostly controlled by how fast your internet connection is, not by the software or computer. Computer CPU speed does come into play with larger bandwidth video and streaming, but in general, the faster connection you have, the less these artifacts will occur. Hi speed dsl, T1 or cable modems eliminate this problem from the client side almost entirely.

The second element is the QuickTime player. The player is a stand alone application that does not need your browser to work. It will, in fact, dial-up your modem using remote access and log on to a streaming internet channel and start playing content, no browser needed. This is the preferred way of listening to "streaming" channels such as AudioEmissary.com. In this example, the player can play in the background just like the Apple CDplayer. In fact the operation is almost identical. Volume control is the little dial on the left middle of player, tone controls are provided on a button on the right lower bottom. In this mode you can work on off-line tasks such as word processing, data base, art design, or just let the home/office iMac be a radio in the background!

QuickTime Player Features

The QuickTime Player can keep many channels in its "Favorites" drawer. When you get a URL (web address) for a streaming site it can be directly entered into the QuickTime Player's "Open URL" menu, underneath the "file" >"open" command ' then saved as a " favorite". From that point on, all you will have to do is click on the icon of the channel in the players pulldown drawer (tab on bottom center). By doing so, the player will access the internet and begin playing . Be patient, streaming takes a few seconds to communicate and buffer (10-30sec). Sometimes, because of errors in phone line transmission you may have to hit "pause", then start "play" again if the connection is not performing correctly. This reconnects you to the stream. Go to the Apple QuickTime showcase page for many video and audio streaming channels.

How to Listen/View Files

The browser plugin allows you to play to QuickTime files automatically in your web browser. Either QuickTime will recognize the file and start playing automatically, no player, no controls, or a player bar will appear. Click on the > button to play, your space bar will work as a "play/stop button from there on. Depending on the file type and size and your internet access speed, it may take from 10-30 sec (streaming) to 2+ minutes (file download) to begin playing. Volume is controlled by the tiny speaker icon on the left of progress bar (if visible) and on your system settings . Be aware to set the QuickTime settings modem speed (right side button on player "connection speed" ) to match your internet access speed.

Ways to open the Player

When QuickTime installs, it puts a folder on your hard drive with the "QuickTime Player" app inside it. Of course, you could double click that to start, but the installer also makes some easier ways to launch the app. You will find an alias of QuickTimeplayer has been created by the installer and left on you desktop. You can leave it there or put it anywhere you choose. You can choose it (single click) and choose "add to favorites" in the finder>file menu to put it under the "apple menu items" in the "Favorites" folder.

Control Strip

On MacOS system 8.1 and up, the QuickTime Player is also installed on the "Control Strip" which is located on the bottom left of you desktop (default position). This controlstrip module is the coolest way to launch QT and access all of your favorites on a pop-up menu. One choice and your dialing and playing, no folders or windows to manage. If you do not have Control Strip on the bottom of your screen, go to your "control panels" under the apple menu and see if its control panel is present , and if it's turned on. If you do not have it listed, either it is disabled in your extensions manager startup or not on your computer. You will find this file on all Apple system install disks since 8.0. Be aware to use controlstrip / modules from the same version of the system you are running i.e.. 8.5.1vs 9.1 etc.

QuickTime Updates

In the QuickTime folder is an Item called "QuickTime updater". This file is self explanatory. When clicked it will launch and dial Apple software download and automatically check for newer versions of QuickTime, if any are found it will offer to download and then install them automatically, just follow the dialog boxes. QuickTime also can detect if an update is needed and will prompt you on its own sometimes to update to the newest version. As QuickTime is a quickly developing technology (no pun intended) we recommend that you always have the most current version installed. For you with OS9, the control panel "software update" will also work.

QuickTime™ and the QuickTime logo are trademarks used under license. QuickTime is registered in the U.S. and other countries. © ®Apple Computer