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The Cardiac Auscultatory Recording Database (CARD) is accessible using your Internet browser, to registered users. The system requires that the browser handles javascript, supports "frames", and in some cases supports SSL encryption. Macromedia Flash Player is required to listen to the heartsounds. We have found that Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher works best. Netscape 6 also appears to work, though this has not been exhaustively tested and some of the javascript processing is slower. We have not yet tested CARD on a Macintosh computer.
We have tried to minimize the file sizes as much as possible to allow for rapid download speeds during program use, however we have not tested the system using phone modem Internet access, and suggest that high-speed access such as direct Internet connection, DSL, or cable modem be used if possible.
To use the audio portion of this program your computer must have a good-quality sound card and you need either good-quality headphones, optimally with a headphone amplifier, or a "stethophone." Speakers (even high-end ones with sub woofers, etc.) will usually not be adequate for interpreting the heart sound recordings. I have used an inexpensive pair of headphones with good bass response ("JM7", made by Jensen) with excellent results. There is more information about optimizing the audio within the program.
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