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- Ultrasound MPEG Audio Player v1.3 Beta
- ---------------------------------------
-
- This is the beta version of the MPEG Audio Layer 1 and 2 Decoder for
- the Ultrasound, freeware for all non-commercial usage. It requires a
- powerful machine (probably > 486DX-33 class) to decode in real-time.
- [ New: This version implements a downsampling filter to enable the
- slower machines to playback at 22KHz! ]
-
- If you specify '-s' on the command-line, the program will output to a
- file called TEST.SND in your current directory. You can use Playfile to
- play this by setting it to 44.1Khz, 16-bit, Stereo.
-
- If you have a 486DX-33 class machine and above, you can decode one
- single channel in low quality mode (22KHz) in real-time. Use either the
- '-l' for the left channel or '-r' for the right channel, and '-q' for
- low-quality mode.
-
- If you have a 486DX2-66 class machine and above, you can decode one
- single channel in real-time. In addition, if you have a 486DX2-80, you
- should be able to decode in stereo in low-quality mode, try using the
- '-q' parameter.
-
- If you have a Pentium class machine, you have enough computing power to
- decode in stereo. This version should be able to playback in stereo on
- such a machine, but since I don't have one, I could not test it.
-
- If your machine is slower than any of the machines mentioned above, DO
- NOT attempt to decode in real-time. There simply isn't enough computing
- power available. Decode using the '-s' switch and playback using
- Playfile.
-
- I would appreciate if you report to me any problems with this problem,
- particularly for users with DX4-100s and Pentium machines, as I don't
- have a set to test. There may be some problems with the streaming
- Ultrasound playback causing some stuttering and/or speed problems, do
- let me know about them.
-
- * Where to obtain more MPEG Audio files?
-
- You can encode your own MPEG Audio files using the program AMPEG,
- available on SimTel (oak.oakland.edu:/SimTel/msdos). The WWW sites,
- http://www.iuma.com and http://www.metaverse.com/knet also contains
- samples of recordings from various artistes and bands.
-
- * Technical information
-
- This player can play MPEG Audio files of any length. It only takes up a
- 15K or so streaming buffer in the Ultrasound during real-time playback.
- During real-time playback, the stereo data that is decompressed is
- loaded onto the streaming buffer using DMA. The faster your machine and
- the faster your DMA speed, the better the program will perform. I
- recommend using a 16-bit DMA channel where possible (DMA and IRQ
- settings are autodetected using the ULTRASND environment variable). This
- program uses the protected mode extender PMODE/W by Tran and Daredevil
- and 486 optimization for maximum speed.
-
- * Author information
-
- I'm also the author of the METAL player if anyone remembers this.
- Unfortunately, due to a serious of accidents, I have lost the sources to
- this MOD player, so it's unlikely that there'll be any newer versions.
- Sorry! I'm also an Anime fan ^_^, those of you interested can mail me if
- you wish to obtain an MPEG2 encoded "Do You Remember Love" from Macross
- (it's size - 6MB).
-
-
- Lee Teck Chee aka WildCat
- Sysop, MultiMedia GS (Official GUS Support Node, Asia)
- * Fidonet: 6:600/408
- * Internet: teckc@darwin.technet.sg
- * WWW home: http://www.technet.sg/people/teckc/
-