View source for RAM (RealAudio)

{{FormatInfo
|formattype=electronic
|subcat=Audio and Music
|extensions={{ext|ram}}, {{ext|rpm}}
|mimetypes={{mimetype|audio/x-pn-realaudio}}, {{mimetype|audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin}}
|pronom={{PRONOM|x-fmt/183}}
}}
A '''RAM file''' is a file associated with the ''RealPlayer'' software from RealNetworks. It serves as a playlist, and as a way to launch the RealPlayer application or plugin.

It is a plain text file, consisting of one or more [[URL]]s (usually just one), one per line. A URL may use [[HTTP]], but for streaming services it may use [[RTSP|Real-Time Streaming Protocol]] or the older [[Progressive Networks Media]] protocol. The referenced media files usually use [[RealMedia]] or [[RealAudio]] format.

RAM most likely stands for '''RealAudio Metadata'''.

== Disambiguation ==
Confusingly, the '''.ram''' file extension is also sometimes used for [[RealMedia]] format.

== See also ==
* [[RealAudio]]
* [[RealMedia]]

== Sample files ==
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19961222122705/http://www.users.dircon.co.uk:80/~gcpmusic/mmsite/pages/samplepage/clips-ra/piano.ram .ram with a HTTP reference]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19990915043606/http://www.voiceovers.co.uk:80/new/johnwood.ram .ram with an RTSP reference]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19961105004556/http://vision.ftvision.co.uk:80/SOUND/a011196b.ram .ram with a PNM reference]

== Links ==
* [http://gonze.com/playlists/playlist-format-survey.html#RAM A survey of playlist formats → RAM]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120513203726/http://service.real.com/help/library/guides/production8/htmfiles/server.htm RealSystem Production Guide, Ch. 10] (from archive.org) - Has some information about RAM files