The Crescendo line of products makes it possible for users to listen to
background MIDI music while browsing web sites. Any web site can add its own
MIDI music by using the embed HTML tag, but only Crescendo makes it possible to
stream MIDI music over the web. Streaming refers to the ability to listen to
audio content while it is being downloaded as opposed to having to wait
until after the file has been completely downloaded. On the client side
there are actually two ways to realize the streaming benefits of Crescendo.
The first option is to download the freeware Crescendo plug-in. The standard
Crescendo plug-in is available for both Netscape and Internet Explorer and can
run on Windows 3.x, Windows 95/NT, and Macintosh platforms. It allows you to
play any MIDI file encountered on the web, but it can only stream MIDI files on
sites that use Crescendo StreamSite. The second method for utilizing
Crescendo's MIDI streaming technology requires the purchase of Crescendo Plus.
This $19.95 plug-in will stream all MIDI files on the 'net regardless of whether
the site you're visiting uses Crescendo StreamSite. The deluxe plug-in also
offers free upgrades and technical support from Live Update.
Crescendo StreamSite covers the server side of the MIDI streaming technology by
enabling web sites to serve their own streamed MIDI files to users of the
Crescendo plug-in modules. StreamSite isn't exactly an encoder or server for
your web site; rather it's a site-specific "key-file" on your web site that
enables the streaming of MIDI files when played with either of the two plug-ins.
The cost of StreamSite ranges from $49.95 for personal use to $395+ for small
business use and larger enterprises.
While the Crescendo technology is limited to only MIDI music (i.e. it won't work
with WAV, AU, and RealPlayer files), it is the only app currently available that
does offer MIDI streaming support. If you have a web site and want to
serve streamed MIDI content, StreamSite is an application you won't want to do
without, and if you regularly visit web sites that offer background MIDI music,
you'll definitely want to check out the freeware plug-in and perhaps the more
advanced Crescendo Plus as well.
Pros: Plug-in plays streamed MIDI files on the web, StreamSite allows
sites to serve streamed MIDI content
Cons: Limited to MIDI audio content, freeware plug-in can only play
streamed content on StreamSite web sites
For the latest information on Crescendo, check out:
http://cws.internet.com/32audio.html#crescendo