Sound is distorted, soft, or not playing: Extensive efforts have been made to ensure cross-platform, cross-browser compatibility, however the following information should resolve most problems:

• Be sure you have selected an appropriate sound format .
  -If you're not sure what a sound format is, click here for details.
  -If you are not sure whether your computer has RealPlayer, you can always select 'AIF uncompressed' format.
  -It is strongly recommended that you download the RealPlayer G2 edition, however, since it allows high quality sound and very fast transfer of the sound even over a modem. When using it, turn up the volume on RealPlayer as well as in your control panel and speakers.
  
  

• Always check that you have a sound card and its appropriate drivers.
  -Check that your speakers or headphones are plugged into the correct jack and that the volume is set to a reasonable level (for these sounds we recommend a high volume setting and good quality enclosed headphones such as AKG brand model K-141).
  
  
  
• Poor Sound Reproduction?
  
  1- Most inexpensive or small speakers will crackle and buzz when trying to accurately re-produce sounds in the low frequency range required for heart sounds, and will not be capable of loudly reproducing these sounds at all. This is because theoretically speaking, you need a 15-18 inch diameter speaker to accurately reproduce sounds below 120Hz at any reasonable sound volume (for reasons based on the physical wavelength of the sound). This is in fact exactly the range where heart sounds flourish. Note, however, that most people have much better home stereo speakers than any computer speakers on the market because the computer speakers uniformly use small diameter speakers. Some come with 'sub-woofers' but they are still highly inadequate compared to most home stereos and almost any set of headphones. It is both possible and easy to plug your sound card into your home stereo with a 1/8 inch stereo plug to 2 RCA type plugs adapter available from any Radio Shack or Audio/Video store for about $4.00. Plug the 1/8 inch plug into your sound card's 'Line out' (or speaker out, but then keep the volume low on your computer), then plug the RCA plugs into any free input on the back of your Stereo Tuner/Amplifier (or TV or VCR...). This is better for CD's and games too, of course - something the resellers of computer speakers don't want you to realize.
  
  2-Most headphones are acceptable because they are almost directly coupled with your eardrum.
  
  3-Download the latest version of Microsoft Direct-X (currently 6.1) as well as the Microsoft Media Player Update.
  
  

• The least troubles are reported with RealPlayer G2
  
  1-If you already have RealPlayer G2, try starting it up, go to the 'Options' menu then click on 'Upgrade'. Click the 'Check for Upgrade Now' button and accept the upgrade. In general we recommend you un-check the 'Reclaim Realnetworks Media Types Without Asking'.
  
  2-We will try to respond to e-mails, and encourage bug reports, but please try contacting RealAudio for errors that are not described here and are likely to be related to the RealPlayer program.
  
  
  
• If you are still having trouble and you want to use the AIF format on your PC:
  
  1-Download the latest version of Microsoft Direct-X (currently 6.1) as well as the Microsoft Media Player Update.
  
  2-If you have the Quicktime plugin (any version): try re-associating the .AIF extension with ActiveMovie player (i.e. Quicktime will no longer be used for this sound format which is a rare format anyway).
  This can be done by Double-clicking your 'My Computer' icon on the desktop, then in the 'View' menu select 'Folder Options...', then click on 'File Types' and find the entry for the extension 'AIFF AIF' (usually it's called "Sound Clip").
  This should be associated with 'RUNDLL32'.
  If it is not, click 'EDIT' and select and remove all of the 'Actions'.
  Then 'Add' an action called 'Open' and copy and paste the following text into the 'Application used to perform action' box and click 'OK':
  C:\WINDOWS\rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\amovie.ocx,RunDll /open
  Then 'Add' a second action called 'Play' and copy and paste the following text into the 'Application used to perform action' box:
  C:\WINDOWS\rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\amovie.ocx,RunDll /play /close
  That really should do it!