Joe Tarto Sound Clip?

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:28 am

I have been told that the "Bass Ale Blues" at this website features some fine work by Joe Tarto:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/hottentots.html
Unfortunately, my computer can't play it and neither can my son's. It says a special "codec" is needed, but is vague about how to get it or what it is. I have followed all of the free downloading instructions withouth success. Can any of you experts tell me what I am missing?

p.s: I have uploaded a couple of different sound clips from "This Old Tuba" for your enjoyment:
http://galvanizedjazz.com/recordings/ThisOldTuba.html

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:02 am

Art, if you don't have RealPlayer installed, get it from http://www.real.com. Otherwise, open RealPlayer and select "Tools" and "Check for Update". The track does indeed have a nice, albeit short, tuba riff.

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 3:20 am

www.redhotjazz.com

What a cool website. Thanks Art.

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:26 am

Chuck, thank you for trying. I do have Real Player (the free version) installed; that is what the authors of the website claim that I need. I tried reinstalling it. I took your helpful suggestion about going to "Tools" and checking for updates. I installed the Real Audio 2 Codec and the Real Audio Lossless Codec, the only ones that seem related to audio files. I also installed the "complete real player help" file, but it was no help. The Bass Ale file apparently is in a .RAM format, and there is no mention of that file type that I can find.
If you were able to play the file on your computer could you please tell me what version of RealPlayer you used, and how you obtained the .RAM codec?

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:18 am

Art Hovey wrote:Chuck, thank you for trying. I do have Real Player (the free version) installed; that is what the authors of the website claim that I need. I tried reinstalling it. I took your helpful suggestion about going to "Tools" and checking for updates. I installed the Real Audio 2 Codec and the Real Audio Lossless Codec, the only ones that seem related to audio files. I also installed the "complete real player help" file, but it was no help. The Bass Ale file apparently is in a .RAM format, and there is no mention of that file type that I can find.
If you were able to play the file on your computer could you please tell me what version of RealPlayer you used, and how you obtained the .RAM codec?

Art, I've been able to play the Redhotjazz.com clips for at least 3 years now, so I suspect it's something else. FWIW, I've got RealPlayer V10.

What are you using for your browser? I'm using Firefox, but have used IE successfully also. I'll bet there's a file association problem.

Try this:

Instead of left-clicking on the Bass Ale Blues, right-click it and then save it to your hard disk. Bring up RealPlayer, cllick "FIle...Open" and then open the .RAM file from whence you saved it.

That won't fix the browser problem, but you'll at least get to hear the clip--hopefully.

Let me know if this doesn't work.

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:26 am

I am also using Real Player V10, with Windows 98. My son has Windows XP and ran into the same problem.
I have tried it with Netscape, Internet Explorer, and Opera V.
I also tried downloading it as you suggested, and tried to open it with RealPlayer and also with Windows Media Player. Still no success. I also tried googling ".ram codec" and found a promising website, but its server was down. I have been assuming that .RAM is a type of audio file, but now I am wondering if maybe it is video?

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:23 am

Art, drop me a PM with your email. I think I can help outt this once.

Basically, the nub of the problem is the RealPlayer 10Gold doesn't come with the Real Audio 3.0 codec (unlike older versions). Normally, RP would locate the codec and install it for you, but it isn't happening. You can de-install your 10Gold RP and re-install an older version (Say, RP8) from:

http://forms.real.com/real/player/blackjack.html

As an alternative, I'll bet you're using Internet Explorer as your browser. On IE, click "Tools, Internet Options" and then click on the "Security" tab, then click on "Custom Level". Under "ActiveX Controls and Plug-Ins" make sure that both "Download Signed ActiveX controls" and "Download Unsigned ActiveX controls" are set to "Prompt". That should allow RP 10G to get the codec it needs.