Frequently Asked Questions - Multimedia

Why doesn't Netscape play sounds when I test my pages?

You may need to get the proper plug-in. Check out the Crescendo page.

How can I convert an AVI file to an animated GIF?

You can use GIF Construction Set. Use the File, Movie, Movie to GIF command.

Can I use a sound file with a mouseover instead of an image?

To play a sound in JavaScript, you set the location.href property equal to the sound file you want to play, like so:

location.href="applause.au"

So with a mouseover, you'd tack this on to the end (note the semi-colon in between):

onMouseover="books.src='books-on.gif'; location.href='applause.au'"

I have a MIDI version of a popular song. Is it okay to use it on my site?

Using MIDI variations of commercial music is definitely a copyright violation. As responsible Webmeisters, we should use licensed MIDI music wherever possible. The following page explains more about this and offers some licensed files:

http://www.liveupdate.com/sounds.html

How can I get a MIDI file to play as a background sound in both Internet Explorer and Netscape?

It's okay to use both the <BGSOUND> and <EMBED> tags in the same document:

<BGSOUND SRC="earsore.mid" LOOP="INFINITE">
<EMBED SRC="earsore.mid" AUTOSTART="TRUE" HIDDEN="TRUE" LOOP="0">

Can I convert a .wav file to a MIDI file?

No, there isn't any way to do this.

How do I create RealAudio or RealVideo files?

RealNetworks has a tools page that offers programs for creating streaming media.

Main FAQ page