Radio

Frequently asked questions (FAQs):

How can CRI audio files be played?

Can CRI audio files be downloaded to my computer or handheld player?

Why doesn’t CRI offer audio in formats such as Realplayer, MP3 or QuickTime?

How can I find a piece I heard on the radio?

Most common problems with CRI audio files:

When I click a link, my media player opens, but I don't hear any audio.

I hear the wrong story or see a "file not found" error.

My player opens, but the sound is spiccato as the player often falls into the buffering state.

When I click the 'Play' button, it shows 'Ready' but I can't hear any sound.

How can CRI audio files be played?

You need to install audio software Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 to play CRI audio files. If you don't yet install the software or you're using an earlier version than Media Player 9, please download the software.

Can CRI audio files be downloaded to my computer or handheld player?

At this time it's possible to listen to CRIENGLISH.COM audio using a Windows Media Player, but our audio cannot be 'downloaded' for offline play. Some of our programs will be available for a fee as downloads in the near future.

Why doesn't CRI offer audio in formats such as Realplayer, MP3 or QuickTime?

While other media types may offer technical advantages or less restrictive licenses, the conversion and storage of audio files requires considerable time and resources. At the same time, Windows Media Player is the default audio player for most Windows systems.

How can I find a piece I heard on the radio?

Most language programs are available at Audio on Demand section. Go to find the specific program column and you'll get the most recent issue and the earlier four issues. Older issues will be provided for a fee as downloads in the near future.

When I click a link, my media player opens, but I don't hear any audio.

First, make sure that you have a recent version of your media player and download a newer version if necessary. If this is not the case, check whether there is a "firewall" enabled on your network. A firewall is software or hardware used to keep unauthorized users from accessing your computer, but it can also block incoming data, such as our audio. If you are on an office network, you may need to ask your network administrator to allow access to the ports used by the media player. If you are on a home network, consult your firewall's documentation for instructions on how to allow audio streaming. Some anti-virus software can also block streaming audio content. Disable your anti-virus software temporarily to determine if this is the source of the problem. If the stream works, consult your documentation to learn how to permit audio streams, and don't forget to reactivate your anti-virus software.

I hear the wrong story or see a "file not found" error.

In many cases, this kind of problem is our fault! Please take a moment to contact us and be sure to specify which page you were on when you clicked the link to listen to the audio, and what story or program you expected to hear.

My player opens, but the sound is spiccato as the player often falls into the buffering state.

Audio streaming costs a large capability of CRI's audio server and we can only support a limited number of users listening simultaneously. When the user number comes to its maximum, the streaming speed will be slowed down and your player may be in a buffering state. CRI continues to consider providing better service, and encourage you to write in with your suggestions, but please be patient.

When I click the 'Play' button, it shows 'Ready' but I can't hear any sound.

You can change the settings of your Microsoft Media Player, which may be helpful. Open the Media Player software and select 'Tools' from the menu. Click 'Options' and find the 'Network' section. In the box of Streaming proxy settings, select 'MMS' and click 'Configure' button. Then change the proxy settings to 'Autodetect proxy settings' and click 'OK'.