For more information contact:
- Communications technology
Damian Cassidy
+44 (0)1752 727 657 - Interactive media
Ben Stirling
+44 (0)1752 727 663 - Post production
Jim Wilkinson
+44 (0)1752 727 572 - Camera hire
Nicola Hitt
+44 (0)1752 727 682 - Graphics and animation
Ted Thorpe
+44 (0)1752 614 - Technical support help desk
+44 (0)1752 727 424
Streaming Media
Streaming is the name given to the technology involved in allowing moving images and sounds to be viewed instantly over the Internet, with no download time. Of the several streaming platforms we have chosen to provide you with two options:
Windows Media is the most widely deployed video format installed in most PCs, and, like RealPlayer, is suitable for live streaming.
RealPlayer like Windows Media is a very widely used delivery format that is also suitable for live streaming.
Windows Media Player:
- How do I download a free player?
- I've accessed the web page and a security warning has appeared, what do I do?
- I'm using Windows Media Player (WMP) 6.4 on my NT machine because WMP 7.1 is not supported, what should I do?
- How do I adjust the volume?
- The video screen is quite small, can it be made bigger?
- Why has the video stopped but i can still hear the audio?
- Why does the video buffer?
- I'm trying to watch a video and slide presentation on my home phone modem and my player constantly rebuffers
- Are you behind a firewall?
- How do I download the free version of RealPlayer?
- I've tried to view the RealPlayer but get an ActiveX Control message?
- If RealPlayer clips are not Playing?
- Can I adjust the sound using RealPlayer?
- The video screen is quite small, can it be made bigger?
Windows Media Player.
Q: How do I download a free player?
A: Click here.
Total Size: 10,187 KB Download Time: 53 min @ 28.8k
Q: I've accessed the web page and a security warning has appeared, what do I do?
A: A security warning may appear if you do not have the right player installed on your PC. If your security warning is to install and run Windows Media Player Setup choose Yes. Once install is complete the video will play in the window of the web page.
Q: I'm using Windows Media Player (WMP) 6.4 on my NT machine because WMP 7.1 is not supported, what should I do?
A: The videos have been encoded using the latest Windows Media encoder (WMP 7.1) in order to deliver the best quality pictures available. WMP 6.4 should display a Security Warning and download the codes required to play WMP 6.4 videos in WMP 7.1. Choose Yes from your Security Warning and the download will take a few seconds. Once complete the video will play in your browser window.
Q: How do I adjust the volume?
A: If you have already tried adjusting the volume on your computer and no volume control exists on the page then right click on the video window and a menu will appear. Point the mouse to volume and choose Up or Down.
Q: The video screen is quite small, can it be made bigger?
A: If the video is embedded in the web page it cannot be changed. If the video opens up your Media Player and plays you can set your own screen size using the View option from the toolbar. A useful shortcut is Alt+Enter to view the video full screen.
Q: Why has the video stopped but I can still hear the audio?
A: The video has been configured to use some of your Internet connection on ISDN or DSL and nearly all of connectivity if you're using a modem. Your connection speed can fluctuate, if the speed drops, the video will stop because this uses the majority of your connection speed.
Q: Why does the video buffer?
A: Your video player needs to stay one step ahead of the incoming stream. Buffering allows the player to interpret the stream prior to showing it on screen. Buffering will occur more frequently if your connection speed is very low.
Q: I'm trying to watch a video and slide presentation on my home phone modem and my player constantly rebuffers
A: This is because your modem connection fluctuates and is having a problem with keeping a constant stream open. This sometimes can be caused by heavy use on your ISP, it also helps to close any other internet related programs down like windows update or outlook. To set your players connection rate to a constant follow this guide. Start/ Programs/ Accessories/ Entertainment/ Windows Media Player, Open Media player then go, Tools/ Options/ Performance. In the performance tab choose connection speed (if you have a 56K modem we recommend selecting the 33.6Kbps setting) then click OK and close the player down and refresh your internet page. Your playback experience should now improve.
Q: Are you behind a firewall?
A: Contact your network or firewall administrator for help.
To access the Network tab:
On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click Network
If you access the Internet through a proxy server (through a firewall) you will need to make the following changes:
- Windows Media Player Configuration
- Click on View, which is located on the Windows Media Player toolbar
- Select Options
- Click on the Advanced tab
- Make sure Streaming Media (Windows Media) is highlighted
- Click Streaming Media (Windows Media) to highlight
RealPlayer
Q: How do I download the free version of RealPlayer?
A: Click here.
Q: I've tried to view the RealPlayer but get an ActiveX Control message?
A: This message means that RealPlayer does not exist on your computer or it is installed in the wrong location. Click here to download the free version of RealPlayer.
Q: If RealPlayer clips are not Playing?
A: Open RealPlayer
- In the 'View' menu click on 'Preferences'
- Select 'Transport' Tab click on 'Use Specified Transports: RTSP Settings
- Select use HTTP Only make sure all bullets containing UDP are unchecked
- OK to close the screen and confirm changes.
Q: Can I adjust the sound using RealPlayer?
A: No, the free version of RealPlayer does not allow you to adjust the sound if the video clip is embedded in the web page. Try adjusting the sound on your PC.
Q: The video screen is quite small can, it be made bigger?
A: If the video is embedded in the web page it cannot be changed. If the video opens up your RealPlayer and plays you can set your own screen size using the View andzoom option from the toolbar.
MAC Help:
Q: I only have QuickTime installed on my MAC how do I watch a webcast?
A: If you are using Internet Explorer for the MAC we would recommend using Windows Media Player. Microsoft fully supports Windows Media Player for the MAC. Download and install the player from the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/mac/mp71/default.aspx
Once you have completed installations view the webcast again, remember to use the Windows Media link.
If you use Netscape for the MAC we would recommend using RealPlayer. Download and install the player from the following link: http://www.real.com/mac/?src=downloadr,093005rpchoice_1_3_2_1_9_1
Once you have completed installations view the webcast again, remember to use the RealPlayer link.
After installation of either Windows Media Player or RealPlayer you may have to check that the installer has saved the plug-in file into the plug-ins folder for your browser.