Troubleshooting poor audio quality

    The audio files for individual lessons which are controlled by the Media Icon are all wma files. Wma files are usually used for sound on your computer. The audio files on the Lesson Downloads page are mp3 files which are generally used on portable MP3 players. Wma files require less storage space than mp3 files when both files are of equal quality. All of the Spoken English Learned Quickly audio files were compressed to voice quality for faster downloading. Nonetheless, all files on the www.FreeEnglishNow.com website are of sufficient quality for good language instruction. Most audio quality issues will relate to outdated versions of the Windows Media Player, older browser versions on the computer, or issues with older or defective computer hardware.

1. Does the Media Player fail to open?

   • The linked document (.html or .pdf) and the audio file (.wma or .mp3) must be in the same folder.

2. Is the audio quality problem in your computer or in the Spoken English Learned Quickly audio files you are downloading?

   • Click on test audio. If the audio quality improves, it may be a problem with the Spoken English Learned Quickly file.

   • If the audio quality is still poor, it may be a software problem.

   • Reboot your computer.

   • Click on test audio. If the audio quality improves, it was a problem with your computer which may now be solved.

3. Is the audio quality problem in the Spoken English Learned Quickly audio files you are downloading?

   • Click on test audio. If the audio quality improves, it may be a problem with the Spoken English Learned Quickly file.

   • Click on the Media Icon for Lesson 1. If the audio quality is still poor, the problem may be with the Spoken English Learned Quickly file.

   • Download the same Spoken English Learned Quickly MP3 file from Lesson Downloads and play it again. If the audio quality improves, it was a problem with the first download.

   • Download a different Spoken English Learned Quickly MP3 file from Lesson Downloads. If the audio quality improves, it was a problem with the first file. Disconnect from the internet. Reboot your computer. Go back to Lesson Downloads and re-download the file which had poor audio quality.

4. Is the audio quality problem in your version of the Windows Media Player?

   • Click on the Media Icon for Lesson 1. If the audio quality is still poor, the problem may be with either your computer or your version of Windows Media Player.

   • Download and reinstall the Windows Media Player to your computer.

   • Reboot your computer.

   • Click on test audio. If the audio quality improves, it was a problem with your version of the Windows Media Player.

5. Is the audio quality problem only on your computer or is the audio problem also on other computers?

   • Compare the audio quality of Media Icon for Lesson 1 on another computer. If the audio quality improves, the problem may be with your computer or your version of Windows Media Player.

6. Has the audio problem occurred only after you downloaded Spoken English Learned Quickly?

   Make certain that all files are in the same folder on your computer.

   If you made a CD, make certain that all audio files are open on the CD.

7. Is the audio problem caused by other software or hardware?

   • Is the audio quality good when you computer starts? Listen to your computer carefully when it starts. Is the audio quality good or have you simply become accustomed to it?

   • The problem may be with the browser version you are using on your computer.

   • The problem may be with your speakers.

   • The problem may be with the sound card in your computer.

   • The problem may be with your local connections to the internet provider.

   • Do all other internet audio connections have good audio quality? Play audio clips from another website.