ToolVox Player ReadMe

Solaris Version

Player Version 2.0

Introduction

ToolVox is a set of tools for creating and playing sound files on the Internet. ToolVox has two components - the Encoder and the Player.

The Player lets you listen to Web sites that include Vox files (which are highly compressed, low bandwidth audio data created with the Encoder). The Player is a plug-in, which enables Netscape Navigator to play the Vox files while the Web page is loading. Many Web authors now include this new media type to enhance their Web sites.

System Requirements

Minimum	Recommended
SUN Sparc 5 Workstation Solaris 2.5 or greater X Windows 32 MB RAM 5MB disk space 8 bit sound card & speakers Microphone Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher only	SUN Sparc 5 Workstation Solaris 2.5 or greater X Windows 32 MB RAM 5MB disk space 8 bit sound card & speakers Microphone Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher only

Overview of the ToolVox Player

The ToolVox Player operates as a plug-in, which enables audio streaming (i.e., Vox files start to play while they are being downloaded).

When you access Web sites with Vox files, you may see a Voxware icon or the Player. When the Player is displayed, you can slow down or speed up playback by moving the slider bar with your mouse. Changing the speed of playback will not change the pitch of the voice.

Random access to any portion of the Vox file that has been downloaded can be achieved by dragging the slider in the data buffer above the timer.

If you see the Voxware icon on a Web page, click on it to start and stop playback.

Setting up the ToolVox Player

Define the environment variables by typing one of the following sets of commands at the UNIX prompt:

ksh:

LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib:/usr/dt/lib:/usr/openwin/lib
NPX_PLUGIN_PATH=$HOME/.netscape/plugins
export LP_LIBRARY_PATH NPX_PLUGIN_PATH

csh:

setenv LD_LIBRARY_PATH /usr/lib:/usr/dt/lib:/usr/openwin/lib
setenv NPX_PLUGIN_PATH $HOME/.netscape/plugins

Next, check that the file, libvoxplayer.so, is in the plugins subdirectory in the .netscape directory. Copy the file to this directory, if necessary.

In Netscape Navigator 3.0, set up the audio/voxware MIME type:

1. Select Options, General Preferences from the menu.
2. Click on the Helpers tab and select audio/voxware.
3. Click on Edit, and under "Handled by", select "Plug-in" from the drop-down menu.
4. Click on OK.
5. Click on Apply, then click on OK.

URLs to check out:

• Voxware's Home Page
• Cool Sites Using ToolVox

Known Issues and Notes

ToolVox Player

• If you go to a Web site with a Java applet that plays sound, then go to a page with a Vox file, you may get a "Audio device is busy" message. To stop this message from being displayed, exit and restart your Web browser.
  
• The ToolVox Player was only tested on Sparc 5 systems, running Solaris 2.5.
• If you start the Player in standalone mode (i.e., type voxplayer, followed by a VOX file name), the file must finish playing before you can play another VOX file.

Contact Information

You can contact Voxware and receive technical support via email by filling out the form on our Web site at http://www.voxware.com.

Voxware, Inc.
305 College Road East
Princeton, NJ 08540

Phone: (609) 514-4100
Fax: (609) 514-4101