> How Aishaudio Works
> Basic Requirements
> Finding Classes
> Downloading/Listening
> Burning to CD / Exporting to Device
> Your Account/Payment
> Other FAQs
> Customer Support

How Aishaudio Works

This web site offers a searchable database of hundreds (soon to be thousands) of classes, lectures and seminars available for download from the Aish HaTorah - Voices From Jerusalem catalog. It is the largest, most comprehensive catalog of secure downloadable Torah content for sale on the Internet.

Here's how this site works:

Free Streaming:
1) Download a player (Windows Media Player is recommended).
2) Find the class you want.
3) Click on the link for streaming audio (if available).
4) Login, or if you've not yet signed up for free streaming, do so at this time.
5) Listen to the class on your computer.

MP3 or WMA Download:
1) Find the class you want.
2) Login, or if you've not yet signed up for our individual or monthly plan, do so at this time.
3) Add a class you want to purchase to the shopping cart by clicking on the Download icon.
4) Finish the checkout process and click on the link to bring you to your Personal Library
5) Click on the icon for low bandwidth download (WMA format) or high bandwidth (MP3 format).
6) Save the file in the directory of your choice.

Basic Requirements

What browsers are supported?

For PC users, we support the following browsers: For PC: The latest Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers. For Mac users, Safari works well. We have had issues with Internet Explorer for the Mac and do not recommend it. Free Streaming on the Mac requires Quicktime.

What Players are supported?

This web site supports the streaming and downloading of music in more than one format (WMA and MP3). In order to preview or download music in any format from this web site you must first install Windows Media Player, or RealOne (for MP3 downloads and streaming only).

What formats are supported?

We support the following download formats: MP3 and WMA. Click on the icon for low bandwidth download (WMA format) or high bandwidth (MP3 format). Streaming audio* is in MP3 format only.

Streaming audio is not available for all titles.

Finding Classes

How do I search for classes?

There are three ways to search for classes. 1) You can use the short cut search tabs on the top of the screen to do a quick search by category. 2) You can search by speaker name by using the pull down menu on the top left of your screen, or search by keyword. 3) You can narrow your search by using Advanced Search to narrow down your search by any combination of title, speaker, category, or keyword.

Downloading/Listening

How do I buy a class?

Monthly Plan

Members of our Monthly Plan are given 10 units to use during a monthly period*. When you select a class to be downloaded, your account is automatically debited the amount of units listed for the class. Once your monthly supply of units has been exhausted, you can purchase additional units for the price of $1.00 each. If your unit supply is at zero and you attempt to download additional classes, a minimum charge of $5.00 for five units will appear in your shopping cart.

Standard Plan

Non-monthly users can purchase 1 unit classes for $3.50 or 2 unit classes for $5.00. Certain classes may cost more. See listed price.

Can I stream all of the files on the server for free?

Some of the classes are not available for free streaming. If a class is not available the icon for free listening will appear in light grey. Any file that is purchased on the Monthly Plan will be available for re-downloading in your Personal Library as long as your membership remains in good standing. Free listening in the Personal Library will not work unless a file is available for free streaming in the main listings.

How long does it take to download a class?

This depends on your connection speed and the song's file size. To estimate how long a download may take, look below and find the speed closest to your actual connection speed and multiply the estimated time by the # of minutes for your download.

56K takes about 2.5 minutes per minute of class

128K takes about 1 minute per minute of class

384K (DSL or Cable Modem) takes about 25 seconds per minute of a class

1M (LAN) takes about 8 seconds per minute of a class.

For example, an MP3 file containing a 60-minute class will take approximately 2 and 1/2 hours to download via a 56K modem. If you are using a 28.8K modem, it will take twice as long.

*Please note that Internet congestion might add time to the download process.

How do I listen to a class?

To listen to classes you have already downloaded, simply launch your, Windows Media Player or RealOne Player and select the class you wish to listen to.

Where are my files stored after they are successfully downloaded?

By default, files are typically stored in the C drive on your hard disk. However, most applications will allow you to change the default location where you want to store your files.

If you do not recall where you specified the default storage location, you may use the "Find File" utility to search your hard disk. The utility is located on your Windows menu bar under the Start button. Select "Find" and then "Files or Folders". Specify the file extension (e.g., *.mp3 or *.wma) in the named dialog box and click "Find Now".

When I listen to a class in streaming audio, I notice that my computer has a full copy of the mp3 file in cache. Am I allowed to save the cached file?

No, keeping the cached file without paying is prohibited according to Jewish law. Similarly, recording an audio stream of one of our classes to a digital file or with any type of recording device is prohibited.

Burning to CD/Exporting to Device

Can I burn or export classes that I download from this web site?

Yes, most of the classes from this web site are burnable to CD or exportable to device.

What happens if the file I downloaded gets lost or damaged?

As long as you remain a monthly member in good standing, all of the files that you've previously downloaded can be re-downloaded for free from the MY ACCOUNT or Personal Library section.

Monthly Members: If you request that your account be cancelled, once cancellation goes into effect we no longer keep a record of your downloaded files, and you will no longer be able to download files you've downloaded previously.

Standard Members: A class will be available in the Personal Library section for two-full month after the date of purchase.

Your Account/Payment

How do I purchase classes?

In order to purchase classes from this web site you need to first register and select your account type, Free Listening, Monthly, or Yearly (pre-paid 12 month membership). As a monthly member you must store your credit card information in your account so that you do not have to enter payment information every time you want to make a purchase.

How do I register?

The first time you use the service click the Register link at the top of the home page. During registration you'll be asked to provide your name, email address and a username of your choice. The Aishaudio.com auto-responder will immediately email you a newly generated password and link to continue your registration. Click on the link to complete the registration process. To use the service from then on, please click the "Log in" link at the top of every page. You can start downloading classes or purchasing tapes or CDs immediately. If you wish to change your password you can do so at any time in the MY ACCOUNT section.

What payment methods are supported?

We support the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

Is my credit card information safe?

Yes. We use industry-standard Internet security procedures for transmitting all credit card information. To meet this standard, all credit card information is encrypted and securely transmitted using SSL technology. This information will not be disclosed under any circumstances.

If I don't use all ten of my monthly units during one month, can I use them in the future?

You will be able to carry over up to 28 units in your account that were not accessed during the months they were accrued.

How can I get a refund?

To obtain a refund, please submit a request through customer support. In the details of your request, provide details explaining why you are requesting a refund.

We're sorry, we cannot provide refunds for anything other than technical difficulties on our end. If you downloaded the wrong class or decided you didn't really want the class you downloaded, we cannot take responsibility, as there is no way for you to "return" the product.

Other FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

1. When I click the download button nothing happens on my PC?
If the download doesn't start right away, click on the link to start download.

2. How do I download aishaudio programs using a Mac?
In your Personal Library, click on the "Low" link or the "High" link download and double click. For the "Low" format you will need to install a playe that can handle Windows Media Player files. Quick time does not support them, and iTunes will not play them, but will import them as mp3s if you have that option set in iTunes.

3. I have a monthly listener plan. Do my credits carry over to the next month?
Yes, maximum of 28 credits will carry over to subsequent months.

4. Why Personal Library listings have disappeared. Why?
The Personal Library feature is only available to monthly members in good standing. If you cancel your monthly membership, your Library listings will no longer be available. Any classes that you purchase at the ala carte rates will be available in your Library for two months after the date of purchase.

5. How do I use my Mac to listen to classes and burn them to CDs?
Simply download the "High" version, drag and drop the file onto "Toast" or other CD burning software and burn. The "Low" version is not compatible for CD burning on the Mac but can be listened to using "Microsoft Windows Media Player".

6. Can I use my Mac to transfer to a portable device?
Yes, as long as the device is Mac compatible (our "giveaway" device is Mac compatible).

7. How can I burn a CD that is longer than 80 minutes on a PC?
Apple iTunes is a free download available at www.itunes.com. It has a CD burning feature that let's you to burn long files onto multiple audio CDs.

Just follow these easy steps:

Using iTunes:

a. Download a class from Aishaudio.com
b. Open iTunes and add the class you want to burn to CDs into your iTunes Library
c. Create a playlist and drag the class you want to burn from your iTunes Library to the playlist.
d. Select the playlist with your cursor and select Burn to CD in the File menu.
e. Add blank CDs to your CD burner when prompted.

From within Nero Express (CD burning software that usually comes with a CD burner):
a) Launch Nero Express
b) Select Music->Audio CD
c) Click on the 'Add' button and add your audio file, then select 'Finished'
d) Highlight your audio file and right click on the 'Properties' button
e) Select the 'Index, Limits, Splits' tab
f) Now click anywhere in the WAV form with your mouse and then click on the 'Split' button to split the audio at this point. This does not modify the actual file.
g) Click OK or Apply to have your changes take affect
h) On the second file in your list, right-click with your mouse and and "Cut"
i) Burn the first CD and eject
j) Delete the first file and "Paste" the second file into the Audio CD window and burn the second disc

9. Does aishaudio.com sell CDs or cassette tapes?
Yes! We've recently incorporated our Tape and CD selections into Aishaudio.com. Monthly members receive a 30% discount on all tape and CD purchases. If a tape or CD is not available for a particular class, the Purchase Tape or CD icons will appear in light grey.

10. How do I cancel my aishaudio.com subscription?
You may cancel your subscription to particular Aish Content ("Subscription") by clicking on the appropriate link in the My Account section or by contacting our Customer Service Department via telephone at 1-800 VOICES3 subject to the terms and conditions set forth in our Policy on Aish Content Plans.

11. Will I lose my previous downloads if I cancel my monthly subscription?
No, once you have downloaded classes, you can listen to them whenever you want, even if you subsequently cancel your subscription. Your Personal Library, however, will not be available.

Contacting Customer Support

If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.