What is SMIL?

SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) is an open-standard that provides and XML-like language to create and stream multimedia presentations over the web. Because of its power, flexibility, and non-propriety, SMIL is quickly becoming a popular format both in commercial and educational applications.

Why create SMIL presentations?

Praat gives you great tools to create TextGrids to annotate your audio files. Akustyk takes this further and gives you an option to create time-synchronized audio/text presentations. Also, due to its XML-based format, SMIL, it can be used to create searchable multi-media corpora. You can use your SMIL presentations in the classroom, on your web site, during your conference presentation, etc.

Creating SMIL presentations with Akustyk is easy! First, you create transcripts with Praat, then you let Akustyk do the rest. Akustyk-generated SMIL presentations are ready to go on the Internet (See the tutorials below).

Generally, you can use any of the major streaming technologies - RealMedia, Windows Media, or QuickTime. However, RealMedia technologies seem to be available across more platforms. They also provide good support for the SMIL standard. I would recommend using RealMedia, though, the choice, of course, will be yours.

What is the structure of SMIL?

Akustyk creates SMIL presentations using the structure in the diagram below. The audio and text (transcript) streams (or Praat tiers) run in a parallel fashion along the timeline. The presentation is delivered (or streamed) to the client computer from the server (either a web server or streaming server). Akustyk prepares each presentation in compliance with the specific multimedia player. When the SMIL presentation reaches the client computer, the player is automatically launched. The presentation is either embedded in a web page, or delivered in a stand-alone player. Akustyk gives you all of these options.

Akustyk creates web pages

In addition to generating well-formed SMIL presentations, Akustyk creates Internet-ready web pages (HTML files). See below:

Click to view Akustyk-generated SMIL presentations in:

• RealMedia 32Kbps; RealMedia broadband (viewing requires RealPlayer),
• WindowsMedia (viewing requires WindowsMedia Player 9 and IE), and
• QuickTime 32Kbps, QuickTIme broadband (viewing requires QuickTime Player)

SMIL created from a two-tier TexfGrid:

• Generate SMIL presentations from two-tier TextGrid objects

Tutorials on how to create SMIL presentations with Akustyk and Praat:

• Installing Praat and Akustyk (FLASH)
• Creating a one-tier TextGrid object (FLASH)
• Intro to transcribing audio files (FLASH)
• Create a one-tier SMIL presentation from a TextGrid object (FLASH)

For more information, see the Akustyk website or send me an email.