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MUSIC ON DEMAND - STREAMING SERVICE GUIDE

This guide provides information on configuring your computer to access closed reserve audio files offered online by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music library, including the lab homework for musicology courses.

What do I need?

All closed reserve audio recordings are offered through online streaming by the Conservatorium library. To access these files you will need a computer with a browser such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari. You will also need a media player. Quicktime is the recommended option to provide full functionality. It can be downloaded from Apple Quicktime and is available for Windows and Mac.

How do I access the files?

  • Open your web browser and navigate to the library catalogue at the following link:Search Catalogue
  • Search for the item you wish to listen to. All items that are available electronically have a section headed For electronic access click on: with links to each CD

 

Note: If you are attempting to listen to set works for a course, or Aural Perception lab homework, click on the tab labelled RESERVE when you first enter the library catalogue and then search for the course by course name or lecturer's name: e.g.Aural Perception before following the links to the CDs you wish to hear.

 

  • Click on the link for the CD you wish to hear.
  • You will be presented with a login page
  • Login using your unikey and password.
  • Click on I agree and a track list will appear.
  • Click the link for the track you wish to hear. At this point the file will either begin playing from your browser/media player or your browser will download a playlist file to your desktop that you can open with your media player to listen to the file.

 

Note: For full track details click on the More details tab on the item record in the catalogue. Track listings are provided in the Aural Perception site on WebCT for all aural perception lab homework.

How do I configure my computer to access the streamed music?

 

MEDIA PLAYERS

Use one of the supported media players and make sure that your computer is set to open the files with the correct media player (i.e m3u and mp3 files are set to be associated with that application).

MAC

Media player:Quicktime (iTunes is not supported)

File associations: Set Quicktime as the default for mp3 and m3u files.

 

Note: To set Quicktime as the default for mp3 and m3u files open Quicktime, and select Quicktime Preferences from the Quicktime Player menu, then select the Advanced tab and click the MIME Settings button.Finally click the checkbox next to the item that begins MP3 and click the OK button.

 

For more information go to: Apple Quicktime Support

WINDOWS

Media player: Quicktime (WMP will work but will not allow you to skip through tracks). File associations: Set Quicktime/Windows Media Player as the default for mp3 and m3u files.

 

Note: To set Quicktime as the default for mp3 and m3u files open Quicktime, and select Quicktime Preferences from the Preferences item in the Edit menu, then select the File Types tab. Finally click the checkbox next to the item that begins MP3 and click the OK button.To set Windows Media Player as the default for mp3 and m3u files open Windows Media Player, and select Options from the Tools menu, then select the File Types tab. Finally click the checkbox next to the item that begins MP3 and click the OK button

 

 

For more information go to:

Quicktime Support

Microsoft Support

 

BROWSERS

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music Streaming Server is configured to work with Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari

 

FIREFOX - Tips & Tricks

There is a bug in Firefox on Mac which means if you access the MODSS using Firefox and click the link to an individual track it will ask whether you wish to open the file with iTunes (default), despite the fact you do not want to open the file with iTunes click OK and, if you have confirmed Quicktime correctly, the file will still open in Quicktime.

 

For assistance with configuring your computer for your USYD eLearning sites, go to: Web CT

 

Troubleshooting - What can I do?

Problem / Error Message

Possible Cause

Solution
Poor sound quality Sound quality depends on quality of headphones or speakers You may need to upgrade headphones or speakers
I can't fast forward through the tracks You can only fast forward the tracks using some media players (i.e. Quicktime ). Try using Quicktime to open the files.
I can't access MyUni You may have run out of credit on your account. Check with ITAssist by calling 93516000 or going to an access lab on campus.
I can't access the library site from the University homepage. The library server is down. Look for a message from ITAssist about server issues on the front of the USYD library website and try again later.
I can get into the Library catalogue but when I click on the link to the CD I get a blank screen. The Conservatorium streaming server is down. Look for a message from ITAssist about server issues on the front of the USYD library website and try again later.
Instead of opening the file with my media player my browser downloaded a file to my desktop. Some computers/browsers are set up to download linked files rather than open them. Right click (or control click) the file on the desktop, select "Open With" and choose the media player you wish to use to open the file. Note: The downloaded file will only work for a short time as a link to the track and so cannot be stored or transferred to another computer.

Reporting Problems

Report all problems to the Conservatorium Library by emailing

 

Please provide the following details when reporting problems:

  • Name and unikey
  • Location of computer (home, access lab etc)
  • Operating system (e.g. Windows XP or Mac OS10)
  • Browser (e.g. Safari 1.2, IE 7.0)
  • Media Player (Windows Media Player or Quicktime)
  • Exact nature and details of the problem