Clearly, the rate at which packets can be received depends in part on the speed of your connection. The RealAudio Encoder 3.0 can therefore apply different algorithms to an audio sample to optimise encoding for different network speeds, from 14.400 modems right up to dual ISDN lines.

Encoding algorithms have been included in the RealAudio Encoder 3.0, which is available free of charge, that optimise the encoding process for (mono) audio samples that are predominantly instrumental, pop or voice for 28.800 modems by offering a wider frequency response. These types of audio sample tend to utilise certain audio frequencies and the different encoding algorithms merely prioritise those which are normally most appropriate. RealAudio algorithms that encode for ISDN users produce sound quality that is so good that optimisation for different types of sound is just not necessary.

The Encoder can not only deal with existing audio samples in various file formats but can also encode a live audio stream in real-time and pass it on to a RealAudio server for immediate ongoing transmission. This means that, for example, a radio station could broadcast its output in real-time over the World Wide Web.

Macromedia responded to RealAudio several months ago by enabling streamed audio through the Shockwave plug-in. RealAudio was, at that time, only capable of being distributed by a RealAudio server, whereas Shockwave streamed audio could be distributed from a normal HTTP Web server. In turn, RealAudio enabled "pseudo-streaming" which does precisely the same thing - streams RealAudio files from a normal HTTP web server. So, if your ISP provides you with web server space you can use "pseudo-streamed" RealAudio. This will save you the expense of the server but will deny you the functionality that it brings.