sound overlay

[a1ipilot]

I've created a sound overlay for my presentation that plays the entire
length of the "show". It will be uploaded to my Web Site. The problem
is that the audio file is 7 Mb; a very large file which would require a
"bit" of time for the presentation to load. Does anyone know of a trick
that would "compress" the audio overlay to a much smaller file? Thank
you.

[Andy G]

Hello, I'm not the sound expert of the group, but is the sound overlay
a SWF file? Generally it would be less Mb. Is it MP3? You can make
that a swf file in itself, Then take your presentation or web page as a
second swf file. Now you have created two. In PB you can make your
firstpage (sound) or opening as a swf overlay, then the rest to follow.
The sound or overlay will play through the web presentation. Try
http://www.powerbullet.com/tutorials/sound_loops.html
in the forum, FAQ, flo's tutorials......
You also can create a loading page.
I try to make websites for everyone, that means dial up, blind, deaf,
etc..
If that is not in your plan you must hope your visitors will wait for
site to open.
You might consider a skip intro button also.
PB starts up PDQ.
I hope this begins to help. Let us know, if i can think of any else
I'll reply.
If you make a page of sound and embed the flash file is another, but
size is time for many.
Also have used AUDACITY with sound files and it has helped. Andy G

[a1ipilot]

Andy, thanks for your detailed reply. However I've done everything as
suggested by you in developing my presentation; overlay (dragged and
dropped mp3 into PB and converted it to it's own overlay), and
everything works as planned (followed the tutorial - Flo's - to a tee
with success). Did this a while back. My problem is this. When I click
on the MP3 file in my folder and check the properties, it's size is 7
MB's. When I check the properties after the mp3 has been converted to
"swf", the "swf" file's size is identical to the mp3 (both are located
in the same PB folder). Therein lies the problem. I always believed
that the "swf" file would be smaller than the mp3, but in this case
they are almost identical.

You did suggest something very interesting though, how does one create
a loading page? Not sure how that's done or what it is. Also when
someone mentioned one can use any animation for a preloader, I'm not
sure how that's done either. Sure would love to learn both techniques
if you have the time.

Thanks again for your time and help.

[MarkC]

Hi. The MP3 and SWF are the same size. This is because SWF uses MP3
natively. All PB does is chop it up and insert it into frames. MP3 is
still the most efficient way of compressing sound. YOu can of course
play with settings using an editor (such as low bandwidth mono etc) but
usually the degradation is not worth it. Even with speech, you end up
with a Mike Tyson-style lisp because of the high frequency removal.

To cause preloading of sound, basically it's like this: if you waste a
bit of time with an animation or keep the user occupied with text, the
Flash Player will continue loading frames in the background. PB ensures
that about 5 seconds is preloaded (by creating the simple hourglass
loop) but the Player will always preload when it has some spare time.

This is not so simple to do with an external SWF sound, however.
Perhaps if the external has some animation at the beginning that will
overlay the main movie you could get a similar effect.

[andrew gambino]

Hello, The way I made a loading page..... Start with a blank page of course and then I typed the word "loading" centered it and added an animation to it. I believe it was vertical flip, but whatever you like. The next step was a series of dots after the word  and animated each one with fade in fade out remembering to set the delay time of each so that one comes and one goes and that's it. Make that your first page, go to page transition ..set time for page out in seconds about 20 is plenty. and that's it. I belive they say that PB starts loading in about 5 seconds, so 20 seconds for your 2nd page should be the max.

Now about that 7mb file, the mp3 is 7mb,  did you right click on the swf file and check those properties?.
cause you are right it doesn't calculate that they would be identical. So your loading a 7mb file as a web page with my country type dial-up would take quite awhile.  Good Luck any questions about that loading page, just give a yell.
Andy

[a1ipilot]

Mark,
Thanks for the help. It's all making much more sense now. By explaining
the concept, it allows me to continue with other options.
Jack

[a1ipilot]

Thanks again Andy. I understand what you're suggesting. I'll make that
first page the loading page with transition set at approximately 20.
Then starting with the second page, I can associate the "swf" sound
overlay starting with page two and extending throughout the remainder
of the presentation. FYI, my presentation is set to manual advance
because it is essentially a slide show with photos to view at one's own
pace. I'm assuming (dangerous word to use) that I can set the loading
page with auto transition to 20 seconds then continue with manual for
the rest of the presentation. Not sure how to do that but will
experiment. That is if there isn't another option for selecting the
transition time for the loading page to include manual advance. Boy!
I'm sure this is sounding more convoluted than it need be. But between
you and Mark, I've come miles. Thanks again to both of you. Looks like
there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Jack

[Andy G]

Hello, Good question, let's say that you prepare a loading page.. the
loading text and dots or whatever you design enters into screen in X
seconds, then have a button or text fade in which will link to page 2.
I would first try to set a page transition....OUT in X seconds and see
it that works. It sounds like your learning and now you've got me
learning too. Like Mark explained your presentation will be loading so
if worse comes to worse a viewer will stay on loading page a short time
and if they need to click to next page a good amount of time will
transpire. Remember the 20 seconds is a max in my estimation, what your
happy with counts. When you export and view the hardest part is to put
yourself in the viewers shoes. Have fun, can't wait to hear how you
make out.
Andy

[a1ipilot]

Thanks Andy,
I'll give it a whirl. Shaking the cob-webs loose from the gray mass
will probably be the hardest problem. Then when my brain gets in full
swing, there's no limit as to how much damage I can do to this
presentation. I'm taking your advice and running with it. I'll let you
know.
Jack