Embedded audio
What is embedded audio?
Embedded audio refers to audio content that is integrated or placed within another medium, such as a video file, a website or a document. It's called "embedded" because the audio data is included as part of the primary file or code, rather than being available as a separate, linked file.
In video files, an audio track is embedded within the file itself to ensure synchronization between the visual and auditory experiences. Some examples of embedded audio in a movie file are:
- Dialogue
- Music
- Sound effects
The benefits of embedded audio
- User experience: Enhances user engagement and experience by providing auditory elements.
- Synchronization: Maintains synchronization between audio and visual elements, especially in multimedia presentations.
- Convenience: Users can experience the audio content without requiring a separate player or application.
- Accessibility: Can provide additional accessibility features, such as verbal descriptions for visually impaired users.
The disadvantages of embedded audio
- File size: Embedding audio can significantly increase the size of the primary file or webpage load times.
- Compatibility: Not all formats or platforms may support embedded audio seamlessly.
- Autoplay issues: Autoplaying embedded audio can be considered intrusive or annoying by some users, and some browsers may block autoplay by default for user comfort and data saving.
Embedding audio live streams on a website
When we talk about embedding audio in a live streaming context, we’re typically referring to embedding audio streams on a website. For this process, you need some kind of broadcasting software that can embed an audio player on your website. Then, when you start your audio broadcast, it streams it to the player. The process is similar for embedded live video streams.